The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-05-26
Congratulations Extended.

gan to change.
Congratulations Extended.
When the committee adjourned late
in the evening, many of the sena-
tors who had at first seemed enc
mics of the amendment, grasped Hur-
ley by the hand and congratulated
him on mis- bravery in battling for
Justice for the tribes affected by
the contracts. Senator Lane of Ore
eon. who is Just now seeking COM
plete reform in the governments
treatment of the Indians, was one
of these. He urged that Hurley con-
tinue the fight which he had start
ed Hurley showed the committee
that under the contract now held by
! McMurray the McAlester lobbyist
could collect 100000 on the $1,000
coo derived from the sale of unal-
lotted lands in the Choctaw and
Chlckasaw nations, he having an
agreement whereby he is to get 10
Der cent of all moneys turned over
10 the indians.
McMurray agreed to this statement
nut believed that the courts woull
not uphold him in case of a tesT.
He practically admitted that he had
accomplished nothing in the sale Of
these lands, but that the work had
been carried on by the government
under its treaty obligation. Hurley
then pointed out that there was
about 53o,0O0,000 in the remaining
tribal estates of which McMurray
would get his 10 per cent or $500,
OJ0 when the distribution is made.
McMurray admitted this also, and
Indicated that he intended TO press
collections when the affairs were
wound up. Here Hurley pointed out
again that the government was trea-
t, bound to carry on this work. and
cited the unjustness of any man as
sessing the Indians $3,500,OO for
work which counted for practically
nothing III the final winding up Of
the affairs of the tribes. He pointed
cut that the government would pro
ceed just the same as it has in sell
ing the unallotted lands, in which
sale McMurray himself admitted he
had no Influence.
Fall Attacks.
During the hearing Senator Fall Of
New Mexico denied that he had any
connection with the McMurray con-
tracts but at the same time attacked
Hurley who was defending them.
A letter from McMurray to friend
in Oklahoma shortly after the last
session of congress and at which the
Indian appropriation bill failed OF
passage because of Falls filibuster
on the measure was produced. In this
letter McMurray stated that a great
victory has been won in his inter
est when the bill failed to pass. The
charge was made during the hearing
that the present Gore amendment
would abridgc the right of contract
of the Indians. Alfalfa, Bill Murray,
the only member of the Oklahoma
delegation in congress who has
shown any signs of favorng the Nc
Murray contracts, a few days ago
sent out wire statement in which
he made the same charge. Hurley
replied to this, saying no man has
the right to enter into contract
! against public policy. Hurley de-
Clared the McMurray contracts were
squarely against the public policy,
and the best interests of the Indians
! themselves. Hurley also pointed out
/ that the contracts We're the great
obstacle in the way of a distribution
per capita among the Indians of the
lands now in the United States treas,
ury.
The senate committee deferred ac~
lion on the Gore amendment but 1t
is expected the battle will be resumed
at the next meeting. II is generally
believed that some action will be
taken to knock out the McMurray
contracts, and if objections are taken
to the amendment in its present
wording, McMurray will probably be
named specifically as a substitute.
Returned from Sulphur.