Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-03-28
CHARGES OF BRIBERY
Grave ofenses Alleged Against Members Of
House Of Representatives,
ARISE OVER SALE OF DANISH WEST INDIES
Case is Presented by Richardson, Leader Of
the Democratic Side.
DIRECTLY INVOLVES AGENT OF DENMARK
He Admits Agency of Attempting to Bribe
Members and Press.
AFFAIR sTlRS UP GREAT EXCITEMENT
House Decides Unanimously 60 Inves-
tiEate Charges and Committee ts
Appointed by Speaker
Henderson.

WASHINGTON, March PA genuine
sensation was caused in the house today
by the presentation by Mr.. Richardson OF
Tennessee, the democratic leader, of
charges alleging the corrupt use Of fund
of $780, 600 in connection with the sale OF
the Danish West Indies. The charges were
contained in alleged secret report OF
Captain Walter Christmas to the Danish
government, who alleged that he had en-
ployed corrupt means to bring about the
negotiations for the sale OF the islands.
The reports from which Mr.. Richardson
read mentioned the names Of Abner Nc
Kinley and his partner, Colonel Brown; c.
w. Knox, who was described as IAN inu-
mate friend of Senator 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 members OF congress
were not specific. Upon the basis of this
report MIR. Richardson asked the adoption
of resolution for the appointment of an
investigating committee of seven. The
speaker ruled that the matter was priv
ileged after Mr.. Richardson had amended
his resolution so as to specifically include
members of the house.
Great excitement attended the whole pro-
ceeding Mr. Cannon of Illinois insisted
that Mr. Richardson's presentation was
fragmentary and that the whole matter
should go over until tomorrow, until mem
bers might read the documents presented,
which included newspaper extracts, am
davits, etc, in the record. Christmas, he
declared, on his own statement was a
briber and worse, but the house voted
down the molten to postpone, and the res
olution, after being amended in minor par
ticulars, was adopted
Personnel of Committee.
The speaker appointed the following COM
mittee to make the Investigations Messrs.
Dalzell (rep.) Of Pennsylvania, Hit (repJ
of Illinois, Cousins (rep) OF Iowa, Nc
| Call (repJ Of Massachusetts,, Richardson
tdsm) ot Tennessee. Dinsmore ldem,) OF !,
Arkansas and Cowherd (dem) OF Missouri
The army appropriation bill was subse-
quenty passed without material amend
ment and rule was adopted to make the
bill to retire officers OF the revenue cutter
service continuing order until disposed
OF, the order not to interfere with appro-
priation or revenue bills or conference re-
ports.
The resolution presented by Mr.. Richard
son is in part follows:
Whereas, one Walter Christmas. a sub
tect of Denmark, who Is now and who has
been for several years, diplomatic agent
representative of Denmark, authorized and
| empowered, and with the government of
the United States for the Danish West
Indian island to the United States, and who
was also the agent of the United States for
the purchase of said islands, has submitted
a secret ana confidential report to his own
Whereas, the said Christmas, agent and
representative and aforesaid in his report
o 10 tnis government, declares and sets forth
among other things the fact that the gov
eminent of Denmark has contracted
agreed and obligated itself to pay and
turn over TO him, the said Christi
mas, 10 per centum, or about 100000
dollars of the proceeds of the purchase,
to the United States when the same shall
have been paid by the United States 10
Denmark, for the express purpose, as has
been declared and set forth by him in his
sald secret report to his government, for
states congress, including members of the
| house Of representatives and other promi-
nent citizens Of this country, and so sub
that the pending treaty between the United
fsianSs STATES ana md Denmark tor the sale OF the
| erhment may be consummated.
Money il Ready.
The resolutions further recite that said
secret report states that the $500. 900 shall
be Immediately paid to Christmas, II the
purchase money is paid by the UnHad
States for the corrupt objects set forth
The pendency of the ratification OF the
treaty is also set forth. In conclusion the
resolution rectes that a select COMMITTEES
OF seven memoers Of the house Of repre-
sentatives be appointed by the speaker 10
examine into the charges and the alleged
circumstances, contracts, etc, which in
any manner have for their object the
bribery or the attempted bribery Of mem
haF pf hn T,Et
| the payment of any valuable confederation
OF any kind or character to them or to any
OF them to vote for or TO assist in procur-
ing the adoDtion or ratification OF the said
treaty Of sale of the said islands"
| The republican leaders hurriedly con-
| suited during the reading OF the resolution
and when the reading had been concluded
Mr.. Payne, the majority leader, immedi-
ately made the point OF order that the
matter was not privileged. The reso-
luton. Mr. Payne said, contemptu-
ously, was based upon an alleged secret re-
port to the Danish government.
Instantly Mr.. Richardson met this with
the statement that he had a copy OF the
secret report TO the Danish government
''On my honor as a member OF this house"
said he, Il have now in my desk what pur-
/ ports TO be and what / believe is that secret
confidential report Assuming the full
| responsibility of my words. believe have
unmistakable evidence that this report was
made to the Danish government by a quasi
If not real agent Of that government"
says lie Has Evidence.
when did the gentleman obtain access
| to the secret archives OF the Danish Esv-
ernment?" interpreted Mr.. Payne. sar-
| castically.
II never have been to Denmark" re-
| torted Mr.. Richardson, but the gentleman
| knows there are other ways Of obtaining
authentic government documents. I hASa
the evidence here. This is q grave charge.
/ do not bring 1t here fer the purpose t1
making political capital Here Is . ehGESS
that $500. 900 was paid for the express puF-
pose Of bribing the American congress. rot
the gentleman from New York seeks la
lnterpose a technical Obiection."
1 Enaaker Hendaraou af fhfa Unfuk raYIsN