The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-08-10

happened In the private office of Uni
led States Senator Gore at Washing
ton at noon May 6. last. formed the
basis OF sensational charges involving
the names OF Vice President James
s. Eherman. Senator Curtis Of Kan
sas. Congressman b. S. Mcclure OF
Oklahoma and others I'm a hearing be-
fore a special congressional investi-
eating committee here today.
During the 80 or 40 minutes Of a
conference held In that office Sena-
tor Gore testified that he had been
approached by Jake l.. Hamon, for
Nrner chairman OF the Oklahoma ter
ritorial Republican committee and
also former chairman of the State
Republican committee and that he
had been offered $4,000 or $50. 900
60 remove objection to certain legisla-
tion pending In congress so that s3,-
100000 might be paid to ]. F. Nc
Murray, an attorney at McAlester,
Okla. and his associates
The money was to represent "at-
torney's fees OF 10 per cent of $30.-
100000 which was to be secured from
a New York syndicate for $50. 900
|. acres OF coal and asphalt lands now
owned by the Choctaw and Chicka-
saw Indian tribes In this State.
Sherman Interested I'm Deal.
Vice President Sherman's nar,e was
mentioned by Mr.. Haman. Senator
Gore testified as being interested
Pin the deal to the extent Of approval
of congress to what are known as the
McMurray contracts with the Indians.
What happened I'm another private
room In Washington, where II was
alleged Hamon also made more "over-
lures" relative to the land deal, was
} told hv G. f. Creager. congressman
from the Third Oklahoma district.
Congressman Creager supplemented
the testimony OF Senator Gore. He
said on June 16, last he had been
invited by Hamon TO meet him In a
private room at the Occidental hotel
IN Washington.
, Having gone there. Mr.. Creager tes-
tined. he was informed he could have
a substantial interest" In the land
deal N he would withdraw his oppo-
sition to the approval of the McMur-
ray contracts by congress.
No Figures Named.
Mr.. Creager was asked the aues
tion: Were any figures mentioned
as TO how much you were to receive? ?"
He replied: ''No. did not let II
go as far as that. made II plain
was not open to being influenced
II that way"
Il had already gone on record as
being firmly opposed to the granting
OF such an enormous fees for attor-
neys."
Congressman b. S. Mcclure, who
was charged by Senator Gore as "be-
Ing interested In the McMurray con-
\ tracts" was said by Mr.. Creager in
his testimony to have been at the time
OF his visit an occupant OF the same
suite OF rooms with Hamon and Nc
Murray at the hotel.
Clerks OF Senator Gore testified TO
having been invited by McMurray
and Hamon to frog leg" suppers at
washington, at which the Indian con-
tracts were TO be talked over"
These invitations. II was declared,
were all turned down"
ON one OCCASION one OF the clerks
testified. ITamon said Senator Gore
was "awfully hard on his friends"
offered Hard Cash.
Senator Gore In his testimony as
serted that the offer Of bribery went
so far that Hamon said the s25. 600 or
$4,000 would not be paid over I'm the
form Of a check or marked money.
but 1T would be all clean, hard
cash"
The committee that heard the
charges was appointed by resolution
OF the house Of representatives 70 In
vestigate the McMuray contracts.
which are said 10 have been made hy
McMurray individually with 10000
bIndians. each of whom agreed 20 turn
over 10 per cent, OF his profits from
the sale OF land. provided the con
tracts were approved by congress.
The committee. headed by Con
gressman Charles n. Burke OF South
Dakota. chairman. Is composed OF
kConSressmen Philip T. Campbell of
Kansas. Charles ~. Miller OF Mime
iota. John ~. Stephens Of Texas and
p. w. Saunders Of Virginia.
Its initial session was held today.
Congressman Creager's appearance
= 81