The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-05-12

boys of the Five Civilized Tribes will
be eligible t. attend these institutions
in the futUFe.
The indians Of west Oklahoma al
ready have the privilege of sending
their children to Carlisle and other
nonreseryation schools.
Governor Douglas c. Johnston, of
the Chickasaw nation. like Achilles of
old, is sulking in his camp and net
without reason dor all that For be It
known that Governor D. c. Johnston
wants 70 re-employ the law firm OF
Mansfield McMurray and Cornish as
counsel for the Chickaeaw nation. A
prop sitlon that Secretary Garfield will
mot listen to for a moment There
was a time and not long ago when
Garfield was contemplating the reap
pointment OF these attorneys but then
came the news of 81 100000 contract
that McMurray was carrying around
in his yest pocket and which was 10
be bis share II he managed to sell the
c al and asphalt lands OF the Choc-
.taw and Chickasaw nations. A little
later Washington was stirred up by
other peculations charged against the
same firm or attorneys and Governor
Johnston The congressional record
was resoried 10 as a medium to air
the charges Later on the departments
lcf interior and Justice We're dragged
into the controversy with the result
that the senate was flooded with offic-
ial documents touching on the alleged
crooked deals of the principals
Secretary Garfield after thinking
the matter over reached the conclusion
that it would not be good policy to ap-
point Mansfield, McMurray ana Cor
nish and suggested to Governor Johns
ton that another name be substituted.
The name of Judge Shepherd, OF Me.
Alester was suggested and IL was made
clear that Shepherd was tho depart.
mons choice for the position, bur
Johnston demurred; refused to with.
draw his original endorsement of
Mansfield, McMurray and Cornish and
left the interior department much
Idispleased, Johnston is now out with
a statement that he is sick of the
whole business and will stand pat.
The fact remains however that the
secretary OF the interior holds the
trump card inasmuch as the law pro-
vides that he can appoint whoever he
pleases to the position. II was only
out of courtesy TO tho governor OF the
Chickasaw nation and I'm conformity
with precedent that Mr. Johnston was
asked TO recommend some one for the
place. The governor on the other
hand calls attention to an act of the
.Chickasaw legislature practically au.
thorizing the governor 10 employ
counsel and appropriate money TO meet
the necessary expenses incident TO that
employment But 1t IL sad TO relate
that the president never approved OF
that particular act and it Is this fact
that leaves Johnston without a foot
upon which to stand In his controversy
with the secretary Of the interior over
the appointment OF counsel for the
Chickasaw nation.
AT one time It was believed that the
law firm of Mansfield McMurray and
Cornish rather than lose out alto
eether would use its influence with
Governor Johnston and prevail upon
him 20 recommend J. Blair Shoenfelt
ior the position Shoenfelt and Nc
Murray are personal friends and some
people figured that such an agreement
would prove a happy compromise OF an
ugly situation But no, Johnston has
decreed that It viii be Mansfield, Nc
Murray and Cornish or no one rs far
as he is concerned. What his reasons
are Tor this peculiar stand he refuses
TO say
Ia view of the present complicated
tangle in the legal affairs of the
Chickasaw nation II would not be sur
nrising al all to hear or tpe interior
department employing counsel OF It's
own choosing and ~ u does the man
selected for the place WIN be
Judge , Henry shspherd of MeAiesteri