Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-08
PRESIDENTS REPORT
In Matter Of Irregularities in Indian
Territory.

washington, Marcn i-lNc I)IcSlucIt
today transmitted to Congress u re-
port of Charles j. Bonaparte and
Clinton Rogers Woodruff, in the mat
ter of irregularities i'll Indian Terri
tory. The president says:
Il call special attention to the con-
dition Of affairs in Indian Territory
as therein set forth. In accordance
with the recommendation Messrs.
I'@napurtc and Woodruff, the members
of the commission to the five civilized
tribes have been informed that if
they are to continue in the service
they must cease all connection with
business operations of any kind in the
territory where it is possible that
their official positions could be of any
effect upcn their private business.
even though no such effect be in fact
shown. What further action. il any is
to be taken in regard to the commits
sion or any of its members by the
executive will be determined upon af-
ter full consultation with the secretary
ton of all the facts in the case 1t
the interior does not believe that il
Ntuli bt I"'NSlpi,' III az NpIbhiNt Will
the suggestions OF Mcssrs. BOnaparte
and Woodruff to close up the work
OF the commission this year. and dis
continue it accordingly. If it should
be found t. be possible | would re-
gard this rs desirable and call the
attention of Congress to the matter.
Il also enclose ~ memorandum of
work Of the commission to the five
civilized tribes. The report stiGmatizcs
thu conditions in the territory as in
volviHG immediate danger of ruin to
no genuine Indian population and pro
found dis"rcdit to the United States.
exciting reasonable discomfort on the
part Of Ill Glasses If tho population ANA
dcml nding prompt and drastic RENE
dies on the part Of Congress-
The report reviews the report Of :.
NJ Brosils. agent of the Indian rights
Association. on conditions in the ter
ritory and says that while the Brosius
report contains Il number of intiml-
tons and suggestions not justified by
the facts it understltcs the ohjcc-
iionahl" features of the adminstra-
ton &C public affairs th"rc and its
specific allegations respecting federal
officials are substantially true.
II says that the connections Of
Tamc Bixby, chairman of the COM
mission to the five civilized tribes,
with the Canadian Valley Trust Co.
inpairs his usefulness as public
| official aud should determine immcdi-
| ntrly if he is to retain his commits
sioncrship His investments in what
are known as "Possessory rights in
towneitn lands are stamped as yet
more objectionable.
commissioner Thomas =. Needles of
| the five civilized tribes commission
| admits owning a small interest in a
corporation at Nanita and the report
SAYS the propriety of disposng Of II
should be officially suggested to him.
The Investments Of Commissioner
| Breckenridge Of the Same body. arc
stated to he of much graver impor-
lance and his considerable Investments
in corr ation stock. tho report says.
have seriously impaired his public use
fulncss.
| A. T.. Aylesworth, chief clerk Of the
commission, and II. V. Smith. its
! disbursing officer. the report says. are
identified in public opinion (but not
provoO with supposed real estate spec
ulations dsproprotionatc with their
means and the report says the specu-
lation should be strictly forbidden and
all officials engaged in it should be
fserarated from the service.
! Tho report says the five tribes com
mission can be abolished with advant.
age, the remaining work to be done
by the Indian inspector and the citi.
Zenship court.
A supplemental report says that the
charges made by A. p. Murphy At.
torney to the Creek Indian nation. and
James A. Harris, vice-president of tht
Wagner National Bank, against In.
dian Agent Schoenfelt showing that