The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-08
THEY WOULD ABOLISH
THE INDIAN COMMISSION
Report of Messrs. Bonaparte and
Woodruff Sent to Congress by
the President.
DRASTIC ACTION URGED

WASHINGTON, March THE President
to-day transmitted to Congress report Of
Charles ]. Bonaparte and Clinton Rogers
Woodruff in the matter of Irregularities in
Indian Territory. The President says:
II call special attention to the condition
of affairs in Indian Territory as therein
set forth. In accordance with the recon-
mendation of Messrs. Bonaparte and
Woodruff the members of the commission
to the five civilized tribes have been in
formed that If they are to continue in the
service they must cease all connection with
business operations Of any kind In the Ter
ritory where 1t Is possible that their off,
cial positions could be of any effect on their
private business. even though no such ef-
feet be in fact shown. What further action,
IL any Is to be taken in regard to the COM
mission any of its members by the ex-
ecutiye will be determined on after full con-
sultation with the secretary of the interior
and careful consideration of all the facts in
the case. 1t will be noted that the secre-
tary OF the interior does not believe that it
would be possible in accordance with the
suggestions of Messrs. Bonaparte and
Woodruff TO close up the work of the COM
cordingIy II il should be found to be pos
sible i would regard this as desirable and
call the attention Of the Congress 10 the
matter. / also tnclose memorandum OF
work of the commission TO the five civilized
tribes"
The report stigmatizes the conditions in
the Territory as involving immediate dan
ger OF ruin TO the genuine Indian popu-
lation and profound discredit to the United
States, exciting reasonable discomfort on
the part of all classes of the population and
demanding prompt and drastic remedies
on the part or Congress-.
The report reviews the report OF S. NJ
Brosius, agent OF the Indian Rights Asso-
citation, on conditions in the Territory. and
says that while the Brosius report con-
tains number of limitations and sugges-
tions not justified by the facts, it under
states the Objectionable features of the
administration of public affairs there, and
its specific allegations respecting federal
officials are substantially true. 1t says
that the connection of Tams Bixby chair
man OF the committee of the five civilized
tribes, with the Canadian Trust Company,
fmpairs his usefulness as a public official
and should terminate Immediately il he is
TO retain his commissionership. His invest
fnents In what are known as 'possessory
rights" In town-site lands are stamped as
yet more Objectionable. Indian Agent
Shoenfeld Is generated from all the
charges made against him. The report also
Wright's temporary ownership OF stock,
which he has since sold, is no occasion
for Sensure- Commi IssHL9, Thomas B.
IN a corporation Vineta and the report
says the propriety OF disposing OF Ii should
be officially suggested to him. The invest
ments Of Commissioner breckenridge. of
the same body, are stated to be of much
Rraver Importance and his considerable in
vestuents In corporation stock the reDOrt
usefulness. A. L. Aiiesworth. chief clerk
OF the commission. and II. Y. v. Smith,
its disbursfng officer. the report says. are
Identified in public opinion (but not proved,
with supposed real-estate speculations dis
proportionate TO their means. and the re-
bort says such speculation should be
strictly forbidden and all officials engaged
In IL should be separated from the service
The report says the Five Tribes Commits
sion can abolish with advantage the re-
naming work 10 be done by the Indian
inspector and the Citizenship Court
A supplemental report says that the
charges made by A. p. Murphy. attorney tc
the Creek Indian nation. and James A
Harris. vice president OF the Wagner Ma
tional Bank, against Indian Agent Sheen
field alleging that the latter neglected his
duties letting G. b Douglass. a clerk OBJ
struct access 20 the public records. delavine
the adjudica ton of the intruder cases fail.
ing promptly to execute his own judgment
and intemperance, were either alleged un
founded or very greatly exaggerated anf
adding that Murphy's strong personal sym
pathy and antipathy render his statement.
untrnstworthy and impair his usefulness a.
n public officer.
The report is accompanied by a letter
from Secretary Hitchcock to the Presi
dent concurring as TO the references TO III,
federal officials and asking for a conferenc,
with the President regarding the matter a
the earliest practicable moment and sayins
he will later consider the proposed sweeping
changes an the organization and admins
trative methods which require much new
legislation and possibly the negotiation o
..,ppiemenfaI agreements with the India