Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-08-21
To
CURTIS AND
SHERMAN
WAS USE OF THEIR NAMES
IN INDIAN LAND INQUIRY
Committee at Request of Sen
ator Gore Unanimously Ex-
onerateS Vice President and
KanSan From Suspicion of
Wrongdoing,

| tBy Morning journal Special Leasea wirel
Sulphur, Okla, Aug 20.--The Sc
! lect committee appointed by the
house of representatives to investi-
gate Indian land affairs and the So
called McMurray contracts and which
also has been investigating the Gore
bribery charges tonight issued the
following statement:
"The committee has heard and
carefully submitted and is unanimous
in the opinion that there is and was
no warrant for any person to use the
names of Vice President Sherman and
Senator Charles Curtis in connection
with any improper relation with any
Indian contract whatever"
This is the opinion of the committee
after hearing scores of witnesses who
appeared following the testimony of
Senator T. p. Gore, Senator Gore de
claring he had been approached by
Jake L. Hamon and that Hamon act
ing in the interest of j. w. McMur-
ray had offered him (Senator Gore)
$4,000 or $4,000 as a bribe to pro-
mote in congress the contracts BY
which McMurray was to receive ten
per cent attorneys fee on the sale of
$40, 900, 600 worth of Indian lands
The senator testified Hamon men I
ident Sherman as being interested in I
the deal. Mr.. Sherman being named I
as the man higher up" Hamon on
the stand denied he had ever said
ANYTHING about the contracts to Gore.
The committees report was signed
by Representatives Charles Burke,
South Dakota: c. b. Mills, Minnesota; II
+. w. Saunders. Virginia. j. II.
Stephens, Texas, and Phillip p. Camp
bell, Kansas
In giving its decision today the
announced It had receiv-
ed from senator Gore statement rel
atiye 10 Vice President Sherman and
Senator Curtis and that the commit
tee commended" Senator Cores
This statement from Senator Gore
which was read and inserted in the Of
ficial record Of the investigation fol-
lows:
''ro the Investigating Committee
Il fell in duty and in honor bound
10 make the following statements. al
50 In consideration of common justice
oward the parties concerned. Neith-
,r the name of Vice President Sher-
nan, nor Senator Curtis was mention
"a by me on the floor of the United
States senate. That the name of eith-
n of these parties was alluded TO by
Mr. l1amon was steadfastly withheld
rom the public until this investiga-
ion began.
mo public mention of their names
vas ever made either directly or in
lirectly by me until I was required
nd obliged to do so testifying as a
witness under oath and detailing the T
which occurred between |
Ir. Hamon and myself. | then made
ormal protest against introducing
heir names but the committee in the
roper pursuit of Its duties required
ne to make a fun answer without res r.
rvation. tU
Their names were disclosed not
With any view to inculpating them
or with any view Of suggesting guilt
MT merely in order that the truth
nd the whole truth might he related
nth reference to the details of the
onversation i'm question. The public
lust realize that the name of any man
ould he used or misused In the same fs
either as an argument or
therwise and no public official can J.,
ave immunity and protection against !,
lch an injury and injustice.
"In my last remarks in the senate ~
lid that The integrity of no man ~. ~
IN be impeached upon the testimony ~
an interested or uninterested wit W
ass That was my conviction then. al
hat is my conviction now. I am
Ire that in the court of public opin- ~
n no Judgment or verdict has been W.
turned either against the vice pres ~
ent or Senator Curtis on account of vi
e misuse of their names va
THE investigation is now practice pu
~ concluded Many witnesses have at
zen examined volume of evidence M
40 heen adduced ana there is no tes Ina
mony tending to establish any i'm IN
'oper connection on the part Of SIC
ther official with the approval Of co
Q so-called MCMurray contracts. as
'hilo tta nuhlic has had no reason tn
suspect any such improper connec pr
IN, vet I would venture to suggest.
ID if I mar he pardoned. would -,
quest, that the committee at the
rliest practical moment make an Il
thorative finding and statement to |
@ effect that no evidence has been
esented tending to establish any i'm
oper conduct on the part or either
We President sherman or Senator
rtis. respecting the subject Of this
vestigation.
The committee announced that the
Murray will contiue his testimony
Monday Much of McMurray's
ltimony today related TO Richard G
lams. an attorney of Washington.
ter President Taft had permitted
be made public a letter in which
expressed a belief that the In n
IN enrolment should not be reopen nc
and that only the Indians now on
, rolls should be allowed to par !
ipate in the division of the lands I
Murray had many Of the Indians !
i1 leletran1e 20 Adams commencing !
president attitude and incident
b. recommending the McMurray
,frncts
hese teieerams were afterwards Tsp.
ned over - the attorney general !
former Senator John NJ. Thurston. uo
Murray counsel. this being the rem
solicited sentiment Of the In Yer
ms. The witness said Mr. Thurs the
probably was mistaken when he slit
the telegrams were unsolicited. ado
IcNurray also stated Il 20 be his itia
ef that President Taft and the at gat
ney general were not aware that Fal
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