The Opelousas courier., 1902-04-05
Washington, d. G., News.
ON our Regular Correspondent.

WASHINGTON, March 81, 1902.
No event in the history of the
Fifty-seventh Congress has pro-
duced the CONSERVATION that was
occasioned on Thursday when Rep
resentative Richardson Of Tennes-
see rose to a question of privilege
and introduced q series of resolu-
tions reciting that one Capt. Chas.
Christmas, a quasi-agent of the
Danish government, had, in Il Sc
cret report to his government, sta
ted that he had, as promoter of
the treaty conveying the Danish
West Indies to the United States,
pledged bribes to the amount of 10
per cent of the purchase price to
effect the sale to this country. Mr..
Richardson's resolutions further
called for the immediate appoint
ment of an investigating commit
tee. AS the clerk proceeded with
the reading of his resolutions a
number of the members are said to
have turned pale and there was in
tense excitement in the chamber.
Representative Payne claimed that
the resolutions we're not in order
and Representative Cannon pro-
tested against immediate action,
but Speaker Henderson ruled that
the point Of order was not we'll
taken, and finally tho resolutions
were adopted and an investigating
committee consisting of three dem
ocrats and four republicans was ap-
pointed.
Speaking of the subject later, Mr..
Richardson told me that he knew
nothing as to the correctness of
Christmas assertions, but he be,
lieved the matter was of sufficient
Importance to warrant its being
probed to the bottom. He criti-
cised Secretary Hay for not having
called the attention of congress to
| the report before, so that it might
be investigated aud repudiated be-
fore the ratification of the treaty
t'The honor of congress is at stake,
said Mr.. Richardson, "and if this
thing is tissue of ISLANDERS that is
all the more reason why it should
be SO branded.n A democratic sen,
| ator, speaking on the subject, said
II cannot believe that any member
of the senate has permitted himself
to be bribed. However, Christmas
statement shows that he approached
very near the fountain head of GER
tain legislation. His statement that
o magnate of the Standard Oil Co
claimed that, he could control the
votes of 26 senators is not new
That these things are done by brib
ing is not true, but that great cor
porations influence legislation is
unfortunately far truer than il
should he. The general extrava
gance Of Christmas allegations ii
demonstrated, however, by his state
ment that Senator Lodge is the only
man in American political life wht
will not take a bribe. That is, o
course, nonsense. [ anticipate tha
/ the investigation will demonstrate
that Captain Christmas is an un
principled adyenturer, who may o.
may not have expended money
along lines which he believed woult
Influence legislation. The one grave
Ierror i'm the affair seems to me tt
have been made by Secretary Ha!
in having any dealings with mar
who was not only not properly ac
credited, but who had not even al
introduction from the Danish min
Iister.n In reply to question th'
senator said, EMy respects for til
late President preeludes my ez
pressing myself in regard to Abne
Mckinley
i The democrats are also gettin;
some amusement out of the friction
which has developed between th
Senate Philippines Committee an,
| the House Committee on Insula
Affairs. The former has determine