The Topeka state journal., 1905-07-27
BURTON A BUFFER.
Indian Territory omcial Relates Ex-
perience With senator.

per1ence Win senator.
Muskogee, I. T., July 27.-The an
nouncement from Guthrie that Sena-
tor Burton, of Kansas, may be sum
moned before the October term of the
grand jury at Ardmore to explain his
alleged connection with the Chickasaw
warrant scandal, is arousing consider
able interest in Indian Territory. Be
fore he was elected to the United
States senate Mr.. Burton made oc-
transacted legal business among the
Indians. J. D. Benedict, superintend-
ent of the Indian Territory schools,
knows of one instance where Senator
Burton acted as attorney in behalf of
the Chickasaw nation before the in
terror department after he had been
elected to the senate. Mr.. Benedict is
under the impression that shortly after
this the Chickasaw legislature voted
$4,000 to Senator Burton for legal
services. These matters will probably
be made the subject of investigation
before the grand jury at Ardmore.
Superintendent Benedict first came
in contact with Senator Burton in
April 1901. Mr.. Benedict was sum-
moned to Washington to have a con-
ference with the Chickasaw officials
before the department of the interior
relative to the disposal of the school
of segregated coal lands in the Chicka-
saw nation. The United States gov
ernment at that time was seeking tc'
get control of the schools of the five
civilized tribes and had succeeded,
through the efforts of Superintendent
Benedict, except in the Chickasaw ma
ton. Here the tribal authorities held
out stoutly against allowing the gov
ernment to have anything to do with
the issuance of school warrants or
with the employing or payment of
teachers, and in the light of events
connected with the Chickasaw warrant
investigation, federal officials think
they see a reason for this opposition.
Upon reaching Washington Superin-
tendent Benedict sought an interview
with Governor Johnston, of the Chick
aSaw nation. He was met instead,
however, by Senator Burton, who in
ness with the Chickasaw nation he
must transact it with him.
A Bluffing Manner.
Senator Burton approached me in a
bluffing way" said Mr.. Benedict, but
knowing that a senator is entitled to
much respect in Washington, 1 paid no
attention to his attitude. Finally, after
had fully stated my position on the
Chickasaw school controversy, Mr.. Bur-
ton said abruptly, Well, Mr.. Benedict,
have any say in the handling of the
school funds of the Chickasaw nation,
you are mistaken
Burton then turned to Governor
Johnston and Mr.. McCurtain, Choctaw
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 accompanied
the three men to the secretary's office
where Senator Burton proceeded to pre-
sent the matter to Assistant Secretary
Ryan, the secretary being absent.
In his presentation of the case he in
| timated," said Mr.. Benedict, that I
was unreasonable and that he could do
nothing with me. DO you mean to as
sert that the interior department has
no right to handle the school funds of
the Chickasaw nation?' queried Assist
ant Secretary Ryan. Yes replied Bur
should have anything to do with the
disbursement of these funds Well,
said Secretary Ryan, you must take
this matter before the secretary
Mr.. Benedict saw no more of Senator
Burton until the agreement between
Governor Johnson, representing the
Chickasaw nation, and Superintendent
Benedict, representing the United States
government, had been drawn up and
| was about to be passed on to the secre-
tary for his approval. He came into
the secretary's office" said Mr.. Bene-
dict, land asked me to let him look at
the agreement. I handed it to him and
after looking it over carefully, he sug-
gested several minor changes. I told
him that it would be useless to make
any changes and the matter was drop
| ped there.
"I feared at first that might be MAX
| ing an unpopular move in opposing a
| United States senator in Washington,
but I didn't allow this influence to in
terfere with the performance of my
duty, and I learned afterward that the
| interior department supported me in
my position.
'T do not know whether Burton re-
ceived pay for the services he perform
ed at that time, but I understand that
shortly thereafter the Chickasaw coun-
Gil voted him or his brother S., 600 for
legal services
The agreement referred to was ap-
proved by the secretary, April II, 1901.
and provided that the superintendent of
schools in Indian Territory could pre-
scribe the examination for teachers III
| the Chickasaw nation and hire them,
| but gave them no authority to handle
the school warrants or other school
funds of the nation. Had the school
warrants been paid out by ethe United
! States government, the issuance of
| fraudulent school warrants in the Chick
asaw nation would have been more diff
ficult.
|