The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-02-27
Many OKLAHOMANS
IN WASHINGTON
Coming inaugural Attracts Some While
others Are On Self Boosting
Mission.

Washington, Feb. Washington is
full of Oklahomans here seeking poll
tical appointments, legislation, look
ing after private business, getting
ready for the Inauguration, and some
on official business with the depart
ments.
Gov. d. H. Johnson, Of the Chick
asaw nation is here. He was summon
ed by the secretary of the interior
to discuss number Of matters
among them the payment for improve
ments belonging to Indians on the Sc
gregated coal lands, Incidently he
is looking after legislation which
would cut off the salaries of tribal
officials and members of the council
With Gov. Johnson is c. E. Million,
Of McAlester, who has some private
business and is also interested in the
disposition of the coal lands
J. II. Gregg, district attorney for
the Eastern district of Oklahoma is
here, but refuses to discuss his busi-
ness further than to say that it is
official. He has been at the depart
ment of interior discussing the land
suit cases, and also at the depart
ment of justice. At the later place
he discussed the appointment of an
assistant in the office at Muskogee,
but so far no agreement has been
reached
There is a vacancy in the Office
I slnd Alexander Richmond was slated
3Eor the place, but Mr.. Gregg refused
ITO endorse him at first, and finally
the appointment was blocked here
by the interference Of a prominent Ok
lahoma republican There are a num-
Der of applicants who would like to
have the job, but they are not pushing
the matter very hard because the sal
airy is only $4,000 per year. Judge
Spencer Blackburn was a candidate
but according to Congressman c. e.
Creager. he has withdrawn. Others
who are here: Chas Wilson, of Mus
kogee; J. c. Denton, Of Nowata; D. L.
Sleeper, Of Tulsa; w Hoyt, of Mus
kogee
When the last yancancy occurred in |
Mr.. Creager's Office the department |
here, acting upon the advice Of the |
president, forced the selection of an
assistant from the civil service. 1t |
is up to Mr.. Creager and Joe Norris |
to recommend a man, but they have |
not done so yet, and it is doubtful if |
they and Mr. Gregg can agree on a
man. The assistant has got to get
his appointment at the request of the
district attorney.
Judge James T. Humphrey, of Mus
kogee, is here trying to get action on
three thousand of the land title suits
in Oklahoma. He represents a large
number of clients who have pooled
their interests. He is before the de-
partment of interior with a number
OF them to see II they can not De uls-
posed of at once and not have to wait
for long and tedious process of going
through the courts in regular order.
J. F. McMurry, Of McAlester is here.
He is interested in getting through
legislation that viii open the way for
the government to purchase the coal
ands of the Chactaw and Chickasaw
nation He wants the president to
appoint a commission of three men,
not members of congress, who will
De sent to Oklahoma to make an ex-
laustive examination of the coal
ands, timber lands and all surplus
lands, and report the first
If next December not only what the
properties are worth, but whether it
will be advisable for the government
o purchase them