Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-02

for one hour. 1t was defeated. 50 to 10i.
1t was arranged that Mr.. Richardson
(Tenn.) and Mr.. Cousins Uowa) should
control the time upon the respective sides
in the debate upon the Christmas report
Some merriment was caused over the Ques-
ton of who should lead of. Mr.. Richard
son declined to do and Mr.. Cousins
finally took the floor. The members gath
cred around and listened attentively while
Mr.. Cousins described in humorous fashion
I. the pretentious claims of Christmas in the
matter of the sale of the Danish islands.
He reviewed the testimony to show that
the whole story Of Christmas having at
tempted to bride Congress was utterly
Ridiculous
venturer Christmas" said Mr. Cousins
belongs to the dark and bygone ages,
When innocent credulity with wondering
eyes believed the monStrous stories of the
ancient oracfes and accredited the spurious
performances of the necromancers and the
alchemists, when ignorance confided in i'm
posture and daylight feared the shadows of
the night. There is but one thing in con-
nection with the whole matter that ap-
proaches the stiffness and absurdity of the
drfveling diatribe and fictitious tale of
Christmas, and that is the unparalleled and
ludicrous performance Of deliberately and
solmenly spreading 1T upon the records of
the American Congress, where 1t must re-
main throughout all history shameless
challenge to the credulity Of man. If in
the surging sea of time, every chronicle of
nonsense and Of folly should ever be SUBJ
merged, and that one copy of the Congress
4lonaI Record containing this report
should be washed up on the strand of some
distant civilization it will be enough to re-
veal to coming ages the most novel. extra
ordinary and scandalous piece of fiction
ever spread upon public record
Mr.. Richardson's Defense.
Mr.. Richardson. the democratic leader re-
piled briefly to Mr.. Cousins setting forth
his part in bringing the matter to the at
tention of Congress. When the secret re-
port of Capt Christmas to the Danish gov
eminent containing the statements as to
the alleged bribery of members of Congress
was called to his attention in an affidavit
as to Its authority, Mr.. Richardson said
ne considered 1t worthy of investigation
he asserted that the proof was conclusive
that Christmas was the agent of Denmark
and, indeed, of the American State Depart
ment.
There is not one iota of proof in support
Of the latter statement interposed Mr..
Dalzell Pa).
Il have the proof here" replied Mr.. Rich
ardson. who read the testimony concerning
the letter of Introduction to Secretary
White at London, given Christmas by Sec
rotary Hay. Mr.. Richardson denied that
any member of Congress had been bribed.
He had simply believed that the charges
were worthy of investigation, and to that
belief he still adhered.
The testimony, however. had disposed of
the charges, he said. Everybody was ac-
quilted and the report, which was uuauf-
nous, SO stated. No man rejoiced more
than he did that no one had been bribed
Mr.. Richardson was still speaking as the
time approached for the final adjournment
Meantime the galleries had filled to over
moving, and every member in the city was
in his seat.
Mr.. Dinsmore (Ark.) desired, he said to
repei the insinuations cast by Mr.. Cousins
upon Mr.. Richardson for bringing the mat
ter to the attention of Congress-
AT 0:2S Mr.. Payne and Mr.. Cannon of the
comm1tte to wait on the President appeared
ana MT Payne. upon behalf of that COM
mittee, reported that it had discharged its
duty, an that the President had replied
that he had no further communication to
make.
The Speakers Address.
The Speaker then arose. and with evil
dence Of much feeling addressed the House
as follows:
Gentlemen Of the House OF Representa-
tives: Many Of us met at the beginning of
this session as friends; many Of US at the
commencement Of this session met as
strangers. 1 believe that we shall all part
When the moment for adjournment comes
as friends. tAppiause) The prayer which
l made to this House at the commencement
OF this Congress that the House would help
to sustain the chair in enforcing the rules
| has never been forgotten. You have been
each and all OF you sustaining forces in
aiding me In the discharge of my duty.
(Applause) For that my friends [ return
my grateful acknowledgment.
II am proud to say that no House of
Representatives since the Constitution was
adopted has in the same length of time
done the amount of work that this House
or Representatives has done. (AppIause.)
And you have done your work like men
earnest and honest as you have all been in
carrying your convictions SO far as possible
into legislation. There has never been an
hour when the acrimony OF debate left
scars In any breast in this House. That
fact has much gratiffed your presiding off,
| Ger. You have all been faithful and untir-
ing; and In the twenty years of my service
l have never seen so many friends in the
closing days Of a session as l now witness.
Now, as We are about to part, l wish
you all safe return to your homes, and
that you may all come back to the next
| session rested and refreshed; and 1 ask no
more than that You may be as earnest then
as you have been in the session just closed.
(Applause.) And now, gentlemen in pur-
suance of the concurrent resolution Of the
two houses, I declare this session Of the
Fifty-seventh Congress adjourned sine die"
cloud applause.)