The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-28
Mr.. Richardson Reads Ex-'
tracts in the House. $
IT CREATES A GENUINE SENSATION
The Report Mentions the Names of
Abner Mckinley. C. W. Knox, "A
Friend of Senator Hanna" and 9th
ers. The Charges Against Members
of Congress Not Specific. Committee
of Seven Appointed to Investigate.
(By the Associated Press.


Washington, D. c., March 27.-A SEN
uine sensation was caused in the House
today by the presentation by Mr. Rich
ardson, Of Tennessee, the Democratic
leader, the charges alleging the corrupt
use Of fund of 100000 in connection
with the sale of the Danish West Indies
The charges We're contained in an alleged
secret report of Captain Walter Christ
mas TO the Danish Government, which
declared that he had employed corrupt
means to bring the negotiations for the
sale of the islands to a consummation
The report, extracts from which Mr..
Richardson read mentioned the names
Colonel Brown, G. w. Knox, who was
described as ''an intimate friend of Sen
ator Hanna, Richard P. Evans, who
was said to represent ''Mr Gardner and
his friends in the House," and two press
associations the names of which We're
not given, as having been interested in
the matter. The charges against mem
bers of Congress were not specific.
Upon the basis of this report, Mr..
Richardson asked the adoption of a res
olution for the appointment of an invcs-
tigating committee of seven. The speak
er ruled that the matter was privileged
after Mr.. Richardson had amended his
resolution so as to specifically include
members of the House.
Great excitement attended the whole
proceeding. MIR. Cannon, of Illinois, in
sisted that Mr.. Richardson's presenta-
tloii was fragmentary and that the whole
matter should go over until tomorrow.
IN order that members might read the
documents presented which included
newspaper extracts, affidavits, ETC., in
the record. Christmas, he decIared( on
his own statement was briber and worse.
But the House voted down the motion to
postpone and thef resolution after being
amended in minor particulars was adopt
cd. The speaker Immediately appointed
the following committee to make investi-
satlon: Messrs. Dalzell, Q3epubican,
Penna); Hit, Rep.. IllsD; Cousins,
tRep, 1owa): Mccall. Rep., Mass);
,Klcnareson, eDem., Tenn); Dinsmorc,
tIiem., Arko; and Cowherd, Dem.. MOI.
TIE Army Appropriation Bill was sub
SCquehIiy passed without material
amendment, and rule was adopted to
make the bill to retire officers of the
revenue cutter service, a continuing
order undisposed of. the order not to in
terfere with appropriation or revenue
bills or conference reports
The resolutions presented bv Mr. piob
ardson are in part as follows:
Whereas one Walter Christmas ;,
C@rrf Nf
who has been for several years, a diplo-
matte agent and representative of the
Government of Denmark, authorized and
empowered to negotiate with the Gov
ernment of the United States for the
sale of the Danish West Indies Islands
to the United States, and who was also
the agent of the United States for the
purchase of said islands, has submitted
a. secret and confidential report to his
own Government and,
Whereas, the said Christmas, agent
and representative, as aforesaid in his
report to his Government declares
and sets forth among other things
the fact that the Government of Den
inark has contracted, agreed and obli-
gated itself to pay and turn over to him
the said Christmas, ten per centum. or
ABOUT hve hundred thousand dollars oi
the proceeds of the purchase money
arising from the sale of said islands ia
the United States when the same shall
nave been paid by the United States to
denmark, for the express purpose as has
oeeh declared and set forth by him in
MS said secret report to his Government
Tor the bribing of members of the United
states congress. including members oi
the House of Representatives and other
prominent citizens of this country. and
Tor subsidizing American newspapers.
10 the END that the pending treaty be-
tween the United States and Denmark
Tor the sale of the islands by the latter
10 the former government may be con-
summated."
Inc resolutions further recite that said
secret report states that the s5oo ooo
shaii be immediately paid to Christmas
IL the purchase money is paid by the