The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21
SENATOR GORE MAKES
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Investigation Is Practically Concluded
With the Testimony of McMurray,
Who Continues to Deny
the Charges

committee appointed by tne HOUSE VI
Representatives to investigate Indian lana
affairs and the so-called McMurray con-
tracts, and which also had been inves-
tigating the Gore bribery charges, to-
night issued the following statement:
"The committee has heard and care
fully considered all of the testimony sub
mitted and is unanimous in the opinion
that there is and was no warrant for any
person to use the names of Vice Presi-
dent Sherman and Senator Charles Cur
It's in connection with any improper re-
lation with any Indian contracts what
ever"
This is the opinion of the committee
after hearing scores of witnesses who
appeared following the testimony of SEN
ator T. P. Gore. Senator Gore declared
he had been approached by Jake L. Ham,
on and that Hamon, acting in the interest
of ]. T. McMurray had offered him (Sen-
ator Gore) $4,000 or $4,000 as bribe to
promote in Congress the contracts by
which McMurray was to receive 10 per
cent attorney fees on the sale of s30,000,-
600 worth of Indian lands.
The Senator testified that Hamon had
mentioned Senator Curtis and Vice Pres
ident Sherman as being interested in
the DEAL Mr.. Sherman being named 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 H. Burk, South
Dakota; c. B. Miller, Minnesota; e. w.
Saunders. Virginia; j. S. Stephens, Tex
Statement From Gore
In giving its decision today, the COM
mittee announced it had received from
Seantor Gore a statement relative to Vice
President Sherman and Senator Curtis,
and that the committee commended
Senator Cores statement.
This statement from Senator Gore,
which was read and inserted In the Off
cal record Of the investigation, follows:
ITO the Investigating Committee:
II feel in duty and in honor bound to
make the following statement. 1t is also
dictated by considerations of common
justice toward the parties concerned.
Neither the name of Vice President Sher-
man nor Senator Curtis was mentioned
by me on the floor of the United States
Senate. That the name of either of these
parties was alluded to by Mr.. Hamon was
steadfastly withheld from the public until
this investigation began.
ever made either directly or indirectly by
me until was required and obliged to do
go, testifying a witness under oath
and detailing the conversation which oc-
Cured between Mr.. Hamon and myself.
IT then made formal protest against in
Producing their Names but the commit
tee in the proper pursuit of it's duties re-
quired fe to make a full answer without
reservation.
Guilt Not Suggested
''Their names were disclosed not with
any view Of incuRpating them, nor with
any view of suggesting guilt, but merely
in order that the truth and the whole
truth might be related with reference
to the details of the conversation on the
question. The public must realize that
the name of any man could be used OF
misused In the same connection, either
as an argument or otherwise. and no pub
lie official can have immunity and pro-
lection against such an inquiry and in
Justice.
'In my last remarks in the Senate said
that the integrity of no man can be i'm
peached upon the testimony of an inter-
ested or untrustworthy witness.
THAT was my conviction then. That Is
my conviction now. l am sure that IN
the court of public opinion no judgment
or verdict has been returned either
against the vice president or Senator Cur
tbs on account of the misuse of their
names the matter above referred to.
THE investigation is 0ow. practically
concluded. Many witnesses have been
examined, a volume of evidence has been
adduced and there is no testimony tending
to establish any improper connection on
the part of either official with the ap-
proval of the so-called McMurray con-
tracts.
.sWhile the public has had no reason
TO suspect any such improper connection,
nf,tr.a tn
may be pardoned, would request that
the committee at the earliest practicable
moment make an authoritative finding
and statement to the effect that no evil
dence has been presented tending to es-
tablish any improper conduct on the part
of either Vice President Sherman or SEN
ator Curtis respecting the subject Of this
Investigation"
Gore Leaves Sulphur
Senator Gore who has attended all
~ the committees sessions, left today for
PAXTON. ILL.,, to fill lecture engagement 4
Renresentative e. w. Saunders OF VIZ
pinia a member of the committee, left
for his home.
The committee announced, however,
that the investigation had not been con-
+ cluded. McMurray will continue his tes-
timony on Monday.
Much of McMurrays testimony today
rclated to Richard c. Adams, an attor-
ney of Washington. After President
Taft had permitted to be MADE pubic
4 letter in which he expressed belief
that the Indian enrollments should not
be reopened and only the Indians now
oil the rolls should be allowed to par
ticipate in the division of the lands. Nc
Murray had many of the Indians send
kilograms to Adams commenting The
Presidents attitude and incidentally
recommending the McMurray contracts.
These telegrams We're a -t.t,,eii /.
turned over to the Attorney f'"n"ril
by former Senator John M. Thurston
McMurray's counsel, tbie he'ng
solicited" sentiment of the Indians.
The witness said Mr.. Thurstou was
probably mistaken when he said the
kilograms were unsolicited
NcNurrny's Assistants !.
McMurray stated 1t to be his belief
that President Taft and the Attorney
General were not aware that Adams
\ was in McMurray's employ. 1t was