The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1905-07-30
SENATOR
BURTON
SAID TO HAVE RECEIVED FEE OF
$4,000 FROM CHlCkASAWS.
School Superintendent Benedict Tells
the Story-surton Succeeded in
Shaving OF Attempt Of Gtvern.
ment to Take Charge.

ETdlu jury AZ AIuIllDlG 10 CNpldlu
his alleged conIsactibn with the
Chickasaw warrant scandal, Is arous
ing considerable interest in Indian
Territory. Before he was elected to
the United States senate Mr.. Burton
made occasional trips to the terrific
ry and transacted illegal business
among the Indians. J. d. Benedict,
supGrint endent of Indian Territory
schools. knows of one instance where
Senator Burton acted as attorney in
behalf of the Chickasaw Nation before
the interior department after he had
been elected to the senate. Benedict is
under the impression that shortly af
ter this the Chickasaw Legislative
voted $4,000 to Senator Burton for le-
gal services. These MAJ. RS will prob.
ably be made the subject of inves-
tigation before the grand jury at Ard
more.
Superintendent Benedict first came
in contact with Senate Burton ir
April. 1901. Mr.. Burton was summon
ed TO Washington to have a confer
ence with the Chickasaw officials be.
fore the department of the interior
relative to the disposal of the school
funds coming from the development Of
segregated coal lands i'm the Chicka-
saw Nation. The United States gov
eminent at that time was seeking to
get control of the schools of the Five
Civilized Tribes and had succeeded,
through the efforts Of Superintendent
Benedict. except i'm the Chickasaw Ma.
ton. Here the tribal authorities held
out stoutly against allowing the gov
eminent to have any thing to do with
the issuance of school warrants or
with the employment or paying of
teachers. and in the light of events
connected with the Chickasaw war
rant investigation, federal officials
think they see a reason for this OPP
position.
Upon reaching Washington Super.
intendent Benedict sought an inter
view with Governor Johnston Of the
Chickasaw Nation. He was met in
stead. however, by Senator Burton. who
informed him that If he had any bus
mess with the C~hickasaw Nation he
must transact il with him.
Senator Burton approached me Is
a blufing way" said Mr.. Benedict.
but knowing that a senator is EMIT
led 10 much resnect in Washington,
I paid no attention to his g
Finally. after | had fully stated my
position on the Chicasaw school con
~trovsrsy. Mr.. Burton said abruptly,
3NerJ. NJ. Benedict If you think
for a minute hat you can nave any
say in the handling of the schools fund
OF THE ChiCkasaw Milton, you are
mistaken
Burton then turned TO Governor
Johnston and Mr.. McCurtain, Chloe
taw attorney. and said: There is no
use fooling away any more time with
this man. Let us go to the secretary
of the Interiors Office and discuss
the matter with him.
Superintendent Benedict accompan'
led the three men TO the secretary
office where Senator Burton proceed
ed to present the matter to Assistant
Secretary Ryan, the secretary being
absent.
'In his presentation of the case he
minated said Mr.. Benedict, that
was unreasonable and that he could
do nothing with me. DO you mean to
assert that the interior department
has no right to handle the school
funds of the Chickasaw nation?
oueried Assistant Secretary Ryan
Yes replied Burton. L don't think
that the government should nave any,
thing to do. with the disbursement oil
these funds Wei said Secretary
Ryan, you must take this matter be
fore the secretary. ~.
Mr.. Benedict saw no more of Sena
tor Burton until the agreement be
tween Governor Johnston, representing
the Chickasaw nation, and S~uperlnten
dent Benedict, representing the Unit
cd States government, had been drawn
nm and was about to be passed on tc
the secretary for his approval. "He
came INTO the secretary's office, sale
Mr.. Benedict, "an asked me TO lei
him look at the agreement. L handed
it to him and after looking 1t oyel
carefully. he suggested several mino'
changes. / told him that it would be
useless TO make any changes and the
matter was dropped there.
II feared at first that | might BIZ
making an unpopular move in oppos
ing a United States senator in Wash
ington, but / didn't allow this influence
to interfere with the performance o.
my duty. and | learned afterward tina
the interior department supported m'
in my position.
81 do not know whether Burton re
ceived pay for the services he per
formed at that time, but | understand
that shortly thereafter the Chicka
saw council voted him or his brothe.
$4,000 for legal services.
The agreement referred to was ap
proved by the Secretary, April IL, 1870.
and provided that the superintend
ent Of schools in Indian Territory
could prescribe the examination 10
teachers in the Chickasaw nation AM
hire them, but gave them no a%uthorit'
to handle the school warrants or 9th
err school funds of the nation. Had tn
school warrants been paid out by TIL
United States governmnet, the issu
ance of fraudulent school warrants IL
the C~hickasaw nation would have beei
more difficult.