The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-12-05

of the Cherokee nation has 10 enter
into contracts with X. c. Adams and
other Washington lobbyists and sttor-
neys is one OF the many things that
is puzzling the Burke committee
these days. Ordinarily the Chero-
kee nation, through It's regular and
constituted officials, Is expected 20
look after the welfare OF the individ-
uals OF the tribe. II is interesting
| 10 note that these contracts do not
have the approval OF the secretary OF
interior, and, perhaps, 1t would be a
caution to the lobbyists II they ever
We're submitted to the secretary, as
1t is extremely doubtful whether he
would approve them.
AS matters stand at present the
| lobbyists and attorneys cannot lose.
II these win they will receive is per
cent OF the entire property recover
ed, or about 100000. Although they
are compelled TO pay the expenses OF
the case, J. J. Hempkill, one OF the at
torneys, admitted on the stand that
should they lose congress probably
would be called upon to reimburse
them, together with reasonable fees.
To secure contracts like these is
really n science and many a man has
become wealthy simply by farming
out these contracts to the highest
bidder. Mr.. Adams, it is claimed, is
one OF these. He Is not lawyer.
For that matter, does not even pre-
tend TO be, but that does not prevent
him from getting contracts OF the
above nature and in turn sub-con-
tract them to others who agree to
carry on the struggle in the courts.
Webster Ballinger's note for $3.50,
made payable to II. w. Van Senden
and endorsed by Representative Bird
S. Mcclure was put in evidence be-
fore the Burke investigating commit
tee the other day. Mr.. Adams, while
on Ine SIdlt, dululVlcu lHloi ming Noh-
gresham c. ID. Carter OF its exist
ence. He bought the note and in turn
sold it to Mr.. Carter, who wanted
It for political reasons.
Adams, no doubt has not endeared
himself to either Mcclure or Balling-
er in the transaction, and for that
matter the amount was so small that
it Is difficult to see wherein the moral
turpitude on the part OF Mcclure is
involved. The Pawnee congressman
has explained that he endorsed the
note as a personal favor to Mr.. Bal
linger, Mr.. Ballinger being hard
pressed for money at the time. The
fact that the note was payable In
sixty days and actually had been re
duced s25 would indicate that the
transaction was in reality an accom-
modation. The further fact, however,
that Mcclure was urging the enact
ment OF one OF Ballinger's bills gave
color to the charge that Messrs. Bal
linger and McGuire's relations were
improper
DR.. f. n. Wright OF Olney, former
resident delegate of the Choctaw ma
tion, has been an interested spectator
before the Gore investigating COM
mittee during the past week. DR..
Wright has been charged with being
connected with ]. F. McMurray and
the 10 per cent Choctaw and Chicka-
saw contracts. but no direct testi-
money tending to show such a rela-
tionship has been brought 20 light.
However. Mr.. Wrights career in
Washington was not TO the satisfac-
ton OF the Choctaw nation, with the
result that the Choctaw senate re-
Gently cut him off its pay roll. Peter
]. Hudson. still another delegate who
served here In an advisory capacity
TO Mr.. Wright, also has been dropped
from the rolls.
In view OF the pronounced feeling
against tribal delegates. Il is doubt
full whether the secretary OF the In
terror will approve the appointment
o! successors 10 these men. Indeed,
they have been considered luxury
rather than a necessity, and cost the
tribe not less than $4,000 a year.
Mr.. Wright. It Is said, Is In a great
measure responsible for the employ
ment OF ormsby Mcharg OF New York
as eastern representative OF the
Choc,aw nation at $4,000, the Iarg-
est salary contract ever entered into
between the ChOctaws and an indi-
viduaI, and involving tho minimum
amount OF work, II for no other rea-
son than +he fact that she Choctaws
already are paying large salaries to
! nan .pd NfcC,,rSa ain their attorneys,