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


investigation of the sso.OOo.oo0 Ok
lahoma Indian land deal before the
special Congressional committee to-
ady.
Mr.. McMurray Is the holder Of the
contracts with Choctaw and Chicka-
saw Indians, to promote which, in
Congress, Senator Thomas p. Gore
charged he was offered bribe.
ID. c. McCurtain. a Choctaw Indian
and a delegate to Washington for his
territory charged that McMurray, in
1906, offered him a bribe Of s25,0OO
to withdraw opposition to the old
tribal McMurray contracts, which
subsequently were disapproved by
President Roosevelt.
Green McCurtain, chief Of $4,000
Choctaws and a-venerable Indian of 81
years then took the stand and told the
committee that one George w. Scott,
whom he believed acted In the inter-
est Of McMurray, had offered him
one-fourth of the profits" to be real
lied from the land deal. provided
he induced the tribe to withdraw all
opposition to the deal. This offer re-
ferred to new contracts held by Nc
Murray, which are the cause of the
present investigation.
Always Sam Figures.
The amount of the bribe mention
ed by ID. c. McCuartain. who is the
son Of the chief, is the same as that
Senator Gore alleged was offered him,
on May last by Jake Hamon. to put
through the pending contracts, which.
according to Senator Gore, would re-
suit In the selling Of 100000 acres of !
coal. asphalt and timber lands own
ed by the Indians. to New York
syndicate on basis that would give
McMurray and his associates an" at
torney's fee" of ten per cent. or
$4,000, 900.
The presentation Of the charges
against McMurray followed another
day OF sensational testimony, during
which Senator Charles Curtis, OF |
Kansas. and Congressman b. s. Nc |
Guire. of Oklahoma. appeared on the
stand to refute statements that they
were interested" in the deal.
Sherman's Name Again.
The name Of Vice President Sher-
man again was mentioned. and con-
ference held by President over the
McMurray contracts were referred 70.
Both President Taft and Vice
President Sherman, according to
Senator Curtis. had declared that the
ten per cent. attorneys fee asked for
was excessive.
The opinion was unanimous at the
Presidents conference, ne said, that
In the sale Of the lands, no attorneys
assistance was needed and the Gov
ernment by treaty already had stipu-
lated to sell the land on is own re-
sponsibility.
Something Of a touch Of an In
dian war council was presented when
Chief McCurtain, known as the Gov
ernor." squattered himself in a chair
before the committee, and brushing
the flies off his head with a large
handkerchief. gave his testimony.
Choctaws Protested Long Ago.
"A long time ago." said Chief Nc
Curtain in his testimony. many OF
the Choctaws protested against the
big fees that would be allowed un-
der the McMurray contracts. / my
self sent a protest to the Secretary
Of the Interior. Just before the ad-
ministration OF the last Congress
George w. Scott came to my home
and asked me to sign a letter, 1 re-
fused to do so.
Then he came again and told me
he wanted me to write a letter to the
Secretary OF the Interior withdraw
ing my protest against the McMur-
ray contarcts. When l said would
not do that. then he said ne was
authorized TO agree to give me one
fourth OF the profits If did. Yes,
he said, we are going to get a 10I
per cent fee out Of II, and you will
get one-fourth Of the tenth. Now
you sign the letter and IL will be q
great bargain. absolutely refused
and nc went away"
"A good many OF your tribe did
sign tho contracts with McMurray,
did they not?" sked Congressman
Miller.
Governments Empty Promise.
Eyes. They did that because they
are losing all faith I'm the Goevrn-
ment. They have lost all faith In the
Government officials, and in their