The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-28

| were being published in Copenhagen,
| Denmark? Did these United States SEN
| ators, did the committee on foreign af-
| fairs of the senate know this? 1 do not
know, but this is the first time the atten-
| ton of this house has been called to this
! disgracefuI state of affairs
1T seems to me there Is one thing un-
pardonable in this whole business, and
that is that the department Of state must
have known of the publication of these
| Infamous charges in Denmark and in
Copenhagen for two eeks or nearly three
weeks before this treaty was ratified"
Cannon Under Excitement.
Mr.. Hit pointed out that as framed the
resolutions asserted facts affecting the
| responsibility of the house of represent
atives, whereas they were mere charges
of an outside party.
| Mr. Richardson thereupon changed the
| preamble so as to read, Whereas, it is
alleged" etc.
Mr.. Cannon Qn) made the first re-
| joinder of any length. So far as he
could catch the charges as they were
read, he said it appeared that some man
named Christmas, who acknowledged
himself a ''briber and worse made
charges. on which it was proposed to
make an investigation whether any men,
bers of the house of representatives
were guilty of bribery or the acceptance
of brides.
Mr.. Cannon pressed Mr. Richardson to
know whether the report gave the name
of a member or members of the house
said to have been bribed, and they en-
, gagged in very sharp clash. 3.
MIR. Cannon was plainly laboring under
considerable excitement.
Mr.. Richardson said it charged members
of the house and senate. Il have men
toned several Names" said he, Il will
repeat them, if need be-
cit seems to me- said Mr.. Cannon
that it would be wise to make this in
vestfgation, if it is worthy of inVestiga-
! ton, after the members of the house
have had time to examine the documents
which the gentleman from Tennessee
has read. They are to be printed in the
record When they are to be printed we
can see what substance is in them. There
is no man on the floor of this house who
does not demand full investigation, if
the honor of any member is authorita-
! lively called into question.
Seek II POstponement.
But I don't believe that there is a
man in the house who wants to inVesti-
gate the mere statement of an acknowI-
edged thief. I would be glad If the
whole matter would go over until tomor-
row, when members can have an oppor-
tunity to examine the documents
make this suggestion in the greatest
good faith
And I have offered the resolution in
| the greatest good faith" observed Ms.
Richardson.
The gentleman asks action on a doc
ument, extracts of which have been
read" retorted Mr.. Cannon, holly.
The gentleman need not become ex-
cited or agitated. 1 am perfectly willing
to have the clerk read the entire docu-
ment, responded Mr.. Richardson.
Il move to postpone the consideration
of the resolution until Monday" said Mr..
Cannon.
Thereupon Mr.. Miers Qnd) interposed
that tomorrow was pension day, and
asked Mr.. Cannon to modify his motion
to read Saturday.
is not the honor of member of the
house more important than the passage
of a few pension bills?" cried Mr.. Pierce
| (Tenn1.
Mr.. Underwood (Ala.) then got the
! floor. He declared that the honor Of the
country was at stake in this matter, and
that rose far above the honor of a mere
individual. He insisted on inquiring in
! to the Christmas affair, his coming here
! to negotiate the sale of the islands, his
going back as the accredited agent of
tae United States. It mattered not he
| said, to whom he had made the charges
while he hoped for the honor of the
country they were not true, they ought
to be thoroughly investigated.
| In answer to an interrogatory, Mr.
| Richardson said the Christmas report
| was dated Oct 1, 1901.
Mr.. Cameron declared that he had
never heard of this man Christmas until
| today; he had no knowledge or infOrma-
| ton concerning him, but, according to
| his own belief, he was a briber and worse
Prevent Reading of Report.
"But he was accredited by the secre-
! tary of state" interposed Mr.. Richard
| son, land instructed to go to our minis
| ter in London"
The gentleman artfully says the secre-
tary of state made this man his agent"
cried Mr.. Cannon, Indignantly. Il know
| nothing about it, If anything ought to
be investigated I am in favor of an in
| VeStlgatlon. But l am not in favor of
| proceeding on the extracts the gentleman
| has read. Let the documents be printed
in full then each member of the house
| can act intelligently. No member will be
more swift than I to investigate charges
affecting federal officials and members of
| the American congress.
| But these charges were printed in
| Denmark and were known there from
| Jan. Is to Feb. 27," interposed Mr.. Rich
ardson- Does the gentleman not think
| the secretary of state should have called
| tAAO oIICAIAOll VI CIl0 senate To charges
| that 100000 was being spent to bring
about successful termination of the ne
| gotiations p
II do not know anything about this
matter" responded Mr.. Cannon warmly.
| land until 1 do I will not say ANYTHING
that would dishonor anyone. 1 demand a
| vote"
Il am not seeking to dishonor anyone,
/ am seeking to prevent dishonor." re-
| piled Mr.. Richardson.
| The gentleman fears to have the house
examine the documents before it votes, y
| retorted Mr.. Cannon.
| 81 do not" Insisted Mr.. Richardson.
THAT is exactly what 1 desire I ask
unanimous consent now that this report
be read in full from the clerks desk
Cannon Loses His Point.
But Mr.. Cannon ar grily objected. his
| objection beng sustained by half a dozen
ether Republicans. The speaker then nut
| the question on Mr.. Cannon's motion 10
| postpone. The Republicans generauv
| voted for the motion, but such a stento-
rlan chorus of noes came from the Demo-
cratic side that the speaker announced:
4 Inc noes seem to have it,
Mr.. Cannon did net ask for a division.