Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-08-05
VICE PRESIDENT IS
NAMED IN SCANDAL
BY SENATOR GORE
Vice President Sherman, Sen
ator Curtis and Congress-
man Mcclure Said to Tave
Interest in Indian Contracts
JACOB HAM0N NAMED
AS 0FFERER OF BRIDE
(By Associated Press.)

PRESIDENT sherman was named by Sena-
tor T. P. Gore in connection with what
are known as the McMurray Indian land
contracts, an investigation of which was
begun here today by special commit
tee Of the house of representatives.
Senator Gore, after declaring that he
had been approached by Jacob Hamon,
former chairman of the Oklahoma Repub-
lican territorial committee prior to
statehood, with an offer of a
bride OF $4,000 to remove all
congressional oposition to the con-
tracts, asserted that Hamon had
mittee declared Hamon had used the
name of Vice President Sherman.
SCOFFED AT OFFER
when 1 scoffed at the offer OF q
bride even If it was raised to $4,000,
as Hamon suggested it might be- tes-
titled Senator Gore, my visitor (Ha-
NOM, in my office at Washington, went
on to say that other members or con-
gress were interested in the contracts.
He said Senator Curtis was interest,"
ed and Congressman MCGUIRE OF Okla
homa, was interested, and then he
mentioned the name of a man higher
up in the government.
II was appalled, when ] heard that
name" said the senator.
What was the name OF that man
higher up?" asked Chairman Burke
Well" replied Senator Gore. II don't
like to say. Indeed, / could not repeat
1t without a great deal of reluctance"
Now, Senator Core explained Mr..
Burke, this committee has come here
to get all the facts, and we want you
to tell all you know"
MENTIONS VICE PRESIDENT.
well, as that is true" responded Mr..
Gore, ST will tell all 1 know. The man
mentioned by Harmon as being higher
up and interested in the McMurray con-
tracts was Vice President Sherman"
No further questions were asked con-
corning the mention of Vice President
Sherman.
On cross-examination by c. r. Ames.
counsel for Mr.. McMurray. Senator Gore
testified as to the relations existing be-
tween himself and Harmon.
He sadi the relation had always been
extremely friendly and he frequently
had business deals with Harmon which
entailed loans of money.
do you regard Harmon % q truth
full mann" asked Attorney Anes.
"In most cases I do, but I think he
would deviate a little on occasions"
When the committee adjourned at
noon Senator Gore was still on the
stand.
CRAGER APPROACHED.
Senator Gore said Congressman c. r.
Crager, representative of the Third Okla
homa district, also had been approached
in connection with the bribery offer.
"Mr. Crager told me So" said Senator
Gore.
HE also told me to go ahead and make
these charge and he would stand by me,
giving his testimony"
Senator Gore appeared before the spe-
cial investigating committee which con-
victed here today as direct result of
charges made by him in the United
States senate on June "a.
When called upon by the chairman
of the committee, Charles II. Burke, Of
South Dakota, to testify, Senator Gore
told his story.
HIsToR YoF CONTRACTS.
''In 1905" said Senator Gore, "Presi-
dent Roosevelt refused to give his APP
prevail to certain contracts which McMur-
ray had secured with the Indians as
tribes. Under the law the contracts made
with tribes Of Indians were not valid un-
til approved by the president. In the
same year McMurray procured contracts
individually with about 10000 OF the IN
dams whereby the Indians were to give
10 per cent of the gross receipts in the
sale of their lands. McMurray came fn
nv office at Washington and wanted W.
to SUPPORT his contract told him 4
would not do so, but on the other hEse
thought IL would be absurd for the III
dians to pay that vast sum OF money fcp
services which the government was In
duty bound TO perform Inc McMurrAy
interests then went to President hoose-
Welt and I sent a telegram to PresidsaE
Roosevelt urging him not to approve OF
the contracts.
TALKING TOO LOUD.
eft was notable how active were the Nc
Murray interests. When / called on the
secretary Of the interior-Balnnger-to
urotest against the contracts, was toio
not to talk so loud, as ex-senator Long,
of Kansas. was present and ne was IN
terested in the contracts hao lntroouc-
"a in the senate a resolution requiring
80 ell contracts made with Indians
should be approved by congress oerore
they became valid.
."The very next day Jake Hamon. OF
Iawton, Okla, came TO my ONCE ne
so,d he had a telegram to visit me and
he was interested in the McMurray con-
tracts.
saThen he mentioned the name OF an OF
ncial very high up in the governments.
Ard when 1 expressed astonisnmenN
mon said:
"sVValI. YOU know there is a loot or
money in this thing. If you say the
word. I will arrange for the $4,000. There
viii be no checks in this deal and no
marked money. 1t will be all new, clean
money.
"Hamon said: There's lot of money
tied I'D in this deal and big fee Tor
somebody
HE then explained he wanted me to
withdraw my resolution, or at least nave
Il reported unfavorably.. 1t seems he did
not know it had already been reported
favorably."
UTICA, N Y, Aug. 4-When an eff
fort was made to see Vice President
Sherman here today. it was learned that
he had taken a train for his country
place in the Adirondacks. He win not ar
rive at his destination until late hour
this afternoon
COL. N. M. PATTEN Is
NAMED ABBEVILLE MAYOR
ABBEVILLE, Ga, Aug. 4-Col. n. NJ
Patten, a prominent young lawyer, was
elected mayor without opposition yester-
dav He was elected to fill the uuex-