Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-26
Senate and House Both to In
vestigate Gore Charges.
WORK DURING VACATION
DENIAL BY MR.. THURSToN
Ex-senator Declares Senator Cores
Statement Connecting His Name
False, and Requests Investigation.

Investigation of the McMurray Indian
contracts by separate committees OF the
Senate and the House is to follow the
sensational charges which Senator Gore
made on the floor of the Senate Friday
Both inquiries are permitted to be SD
oroao' under the resolutions providing
Tor them,s that they will probe the inti-
nations of bribery made by Mr.. Gore.
The resolution adopted by the Senate
directs specifically that the committee in
vestigate the charge that a senator is in
terested in or connected with legislation
affecting Indian contracts and that i'm
proper methods have been adopted to in
fiuence legislation in connection with
them.
The House resolution directs a probe
that will embrace any acts of bribery,
fraud or any improper influence in con-
nection with contracts with the Choctaw,
Chickasaw and Usage tribes.
Senator Hughes Resolution.
The adoption of the resolution in the
Senate was the feature Of the closing
session last night. Shortly after the SEN
ate had convened, after the second re-
cess, at 10 O'Clock. Senator Hughes asxed
for the consideration of a resolution
which he sent to the clerks desk.
1t provided:
That committee Of five, to be ap-
poointed by the chair. be directed to in
tor OF the United States is or during his
term OF ONCE has been interested in, or
connected with legislation affecting the
approval of Indian contracts or has done
anything because OF this interest. and
whether any improper attempts or ef-
forts to prevent or to secure the passage
OF statute affecting the approval OF
Andian contracts have been made at this
session of Congress. and this committee
vacation"
Statements have been made in the
Senate. Senator Hughes said after the
resolution had been read. Of so serious
nature that the Senate cannot fail to
take cognixance of them. Because serl-
GUS attention must be given them. he
declared. he took upon himself the duty
or Offering the resolution for an In
Qufry.
rs there objection to present con-
sfderation: asked the Vice President.
None was heard. and he Immediately
announced that without objection the
resolution would be considered AZ
Senator Carter sought recognition OF
the chair. Senator Hale demanded to
be heard first with regard to the ap-
preparation Of the present session: but
Senator Carter pleaded that he desired
to have read paper dealing with the
subject OF the resolution.
Letter From Ex-senator Thurston.
1t proved to be a letter written by
ex-senator John NJ. Thurston OF Ne
braska. upholding the MacMurray con-
tracts. and denying that he had any in
terest whatever in the contracts. The
letter was as follows:
ITO the Senate of the United States:
Il respectfully petition the Senate to
direct an immediate open and thorough
investigation of the charges made upon
the floor Of the Senate on June "a, 1870
by Senator Gore Of Oklahoma. Senator
Cores statement that L was interested in
the MacMurray contracts is false and
has no foundation except the fact that
ex-senator Chester 1. Long and myself
recently appeared as attorneys for Mr.
MacMurray at a hearing before the At
torney General directed by the President
Of the United States upon Mr. MacMur-
rays application to have his contracts
with individual citizens of the Choctaw
and Chickasaw nations recognized as
legal obligations.
II have no part in asking the enact
ment or the defeat of any legislation
directly or indirectly affecting these
contracts. From my knowledge. as Mr.
MacMurray's attorney. i am satisfied
his contracts are legal, that they were
obtained by open and honest methods
and that they will, IL carried out. be of
great advantage to the people Of these
Indian nations. Mr.. MacMurray has in
the past secured for these Indians.
through legislation and judicial pro-
cedure. many millions which other
wise might have been lost to them.
Il am satisfied that neither Mr.. Mac
Murray nor any one else has main
A.f rt~
gle individual to urge legislation upon
Congress favorable to his interests. and
/ am assured by Mr.. MacMurray that
any suggestion OF attempted bribery OF
Senator Gore. on behalf of Mr.. Mac
Murray. is absolutely false.
These statements on the floor OF the
Senate. by Senator Gore. privileged in
character by reason OF his official posi-
ton, are prejudicial 10 the good name
and reputation OF men of honorable
and should not be permitted by
the Senate to remain against them with
out full investigation and an opportunity
where all may be heard.
IF Senator Gore chooses to make such
charges and avoids the responsibility of
asking an investigation, I respectfully
appeal to the Senate for appropriate ac-
ton to the end. that the reputation OF
American citizens may not he destroyed
by false statements made under the priv
JOHN NJ. THURsroN..
Senator Owen Offers Letters.
Senator Owen of Oklahoma also asked
to have inserted In the Record, without
q batch OF letters relating to tho
same subject. and 1T is expected they
will be turned over to the committee
that is 20 make the inquiry.
There was no further discussion Of the
matter. Senator Gore was not present
and there were no further developments
In the Senate. The Vice President did
not select the members of the Senate
committee until after the session had
been adjourned sine die.
The House Resolution.
The House adopted a resolution offered
by Representative Tawney OF Minnesota,
! substitute for those along the same line
,ffered by Representatives Mcclure ana
Carter of Oklahoma. creating a commit.
ZEE of Ave to investigate contracts with
he Choctaw, Chickasaw and Usage tribes.
he inquiry to embrace any acts OF brib-
,ry, fraud or any other improper in.
luence The committee is to file ite re.
,ort, when completed, with the clerk or