The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-25
BRIBE OF $4,000
Senator Gore Declares He Has
Been Approached
In Connection With Legislation
on Indian Affairs.
HE NAMES NO NAMES
But Says Two Ex-Senators Are
in the Deal.
One of Them From Kansas and
One From Nebraska.

Un0 Oh Ih0m From Kansas ana
One From Nebraska.
Washington, June Ex-senator Gore
today presented to the senate q resolu-
ton providing for an investigation Of
the employment of private counsel in
connection with the sale of lands be-
longing to the Chiekasaw and Choctaw
tribes of Indians. 1t. was agreed to by
the senate.
Washington. June Ex-senator Gore
OF Oklahoma has disclosed in the
senate what he interpreted as an effort
to bride him in connection with the
legislation affecting the fortune in at
torney's fees claimed by ]. F. McMur-
ray of Oklahoma for services rendered
to the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations
in land and townsite cases.
The charge created a sensation in
the senate, which later extended to the
house. The latter body in conse-
quence sent back to conference the
general deficiency bill which carried an
item relating to contracts between the
Indians and their attorneys.
As the result of the announcement,
Senator Gore finally involved a men,
Der of the senate committee on Indian
affairs, a member of the house COM
mittee on Indian affairs, two former
senatOrs-one from Nebraska and the
other from Kansas-but whose names
were not made public in debate.
In response to a suggestion by Sena-
tor Bailey that he should name the
senate members of the Indian affairs
committee, Mr.. Gore demurred, but
declared that he would welcome an in
3 vestigation of the charges so that the
whole matter might be brought out
before body which would be author
lied to deal with his allegation. 1t is
q not improbable that such an investi-
4 cation will be ordered.
Mr.. Gore was compelled to address
the senate three times before that
4 body was fully aroused to the serious
b ! ness of the charges he made. His first
effort was in connection with the
3 adoption of the conference report on
the deficiency bill which had been pre-
d ! scented by Senator Hale. AS passed by
! the senate that measure contains an
3 amendment which would nullify con-
I tracts made by the Choctaw and
4 Chickasaw nations and by individual
members of these tribes with their at
torneys unless the contracts are ap-
proved by congress This provision
was in accordance with a resolution
introduced bv Mr.. Gore on Nav 4 last.
It was designed to prevent Mr.. Nc
Murray from obtaining fees, which. it
Is said. would aggregate three million
dollars and which Mr.. Gore complain
ed had not been earned by the attor-
ney.
The conference report had been
4 adopted by the senate when Mr.. Gore
entered the chamber. He announced
= that he had been informed that the
Ii senate had receded from the amend
IL ment requiring the approval by con-
y gress of tribal agreements, but Mr.
Hale explained that the matter had
been properly safeguarded.
Mr.. Gore accepted the explanation
but said If the contracts were to be
p recognized, Mr.. McMurray would re-
ceive 100000. 1t was in this con-
nection that he first declared that i'm
proper influence had been exerted by g
representative of McMurray in an eff
l. fov-A 90 f1on OF = In {
congressional action on the contracts
Says He Was Approached.
70 Characterizing the McMurray claim.
"a | as having been Conceived in corrup-
~ ton and brought forth in eruption
~ Mr.. Gore said he had been approached
= by an outsider who desired to inter.
: est him in the McMurray claims.
rs Later Mr.. Gore examined the pro
~ vision as agreed upon in conference
Id He lost no time in returning to tht
IN senate chamber where he moved tt
n reconsider the vote by which the con
ference report had been adopted. Thu
tn presiding officer informed him that thu
Ill report had passed out of the posses
ne | sion of the senate. Mr.. Gore thel
n moved to recall the report. but MI
lg Ga1linger moved to lay this motion oil
lie the table, which was done.
n Addressing the senate on a question
n | of personal privilege, the Oklshom
senator amplifed his charges that cor
ed Irupt methods had been attempted t
rt defeat the senate provision concerning
on the Indian contracts.
no Mr.. Gore explained that on Nav
sir last he had offered a resolution SINH
" lar to the amendment he had placed II
ed the deficiency bill in the senate an
that It had been referred to the com
a mittee on Indian affairs. On the fol
IS lowing day Senator Hughes had bee
~ directed to make a favorable report Of
re the resolution. he said.
ION May g." exclaimed Mr.. Gore, 81
suggestion. He was a Representative
of McMurray. a resident Of my HON
town and had been my friend in tim
of need.
- "He assured me 1t would be to m
&c financial interest if I could call on tn
senator from Colorado and advise hir
not to report the resolution. Their
was a suggestion that $25 900 or $50
Ter 900 would be available if the contract
the were not prohibited
of "And I am informed that simi1a
his proposition was made yesterday to
-as member of the house of represents
a tives."
nv Two Senators Involved.
Mr.. Gore also charged that IAN e,
il senator from Nebraska and an ex-seI
tee ator from Kansas are interested
these contracts" and declared that
mes large lobby was maintained in Wasl
oy lington. He said he felt in honor bour
to continue these efforts to prevel
tee | this steal from those defenseless II
tbe dams in Oklahoma.
to He declared that If the contrac
were ever carried into effect it mu
be dome with the full knowledge TIL
whether or not there had actually bee
corruption, it had been attempted"
Learning that the house had not y
md acted upon the conference report. M
Gore fastened to the other chambe
where he told friends OF the efforts a
legged to have been made to CORFU
~ members.
~ When the conference report w