New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-28

Of Representatives.. and other prominent citizens
newspaperg to the END that the pending treaty
sale of the islands by the latter the former gov
eminent may he contaminated.
The resolution further recites that said secret
report states that the 10000 shall be inmeul-
ately paid Christmas II the purchase money Is
paid by the United States. for the corrupt o"JeC"
set forth. The tendency Of the ratification OF the
treaty IS also forth. In conclusion the re9o-
tuition asks that select committee OF seven lleih
bers Of the House Of Representatives be appoln'eH
by the Speaker examine into the charges anu
the ALLEGED circumstances contracts. etc, 'Whlch
IN any manner have for their object the bribery
OF the attempted bribery OF members OF the
United States Congress or OF the payment oi any
valuable consideration Of any kind or character
10 them or 10 any Of them 70 vote for or 10 assist
in procuring the proposal, adoption or ratihcauon
Of the said treaty Of sale Of the said islands
CHARGES CREATE EXCITEMENT.
The Republican leaders hurriedy consulted dur
ing the reading Of the resolution, and when II
ended Mr.. Payne the majority leader, Immediately
made the point Of that the matter presented
was not privileged. The resolutions, Mr.. Payne
said contemptuously. were based on alleged Sc
cret report TO the Danish Government.
instantly Mr.. Richardson met this with the
statement that he had a copy Of the secret report
70 the Danish Government. "On my honor as
member Of this House" said he, Il have now on
my desk what purports 20 o., and what believe Is
that secret confidential report. Assuming the run
responsibility Of my words l believe ! have un-
mlstakable evidence that this report was made to
the Danish Government by u quasi. if not real
agent Of that government"
When did the gentleman obtain access TO the
secret archives Of the Danish Government inter
posed Mr.. Payne sarcasticaly.
4 have never been 10 Denmark" retorted Mr..
Richardson. but the gentleman knows there are
other ways OF obtaining authentic government doc
uments- have the Evidence here. This Is a grave
charge. I 60 bring il here for the purpose Of
making political capital Here IS a charge that
10000 was paid for the express purpose Of brbiug
che American Congress yet the gentleman from
New-York seeks 10 interpose technical objec-
ton
\ QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.
Speaker Henderson called attention to the fact
that the language Of the resolution charged that
newspapers and members Of Congress had been
bribed- Members of Congress- ne said, do not
necessarily include members Of the House. If
members Of the Senate. that body be the Gus
todian Of IFS morals" He thought IL the res
olution 70 be privileged it should specifically
include members Of the House.
Il am prepared TO say" replied Mr. Richardson,
that these charges do include members OF the
House, and will amend TIE resolution to that eX-
tent
Speaker Henderson thereupon ruled that the mat
ter presented privileged This Is a matter Of
high privilege" said the Speaker delivering his
ruling. Exactly what status a report to foreign
government would have here might he questioned,
but the gentleman from Tennessee having stated
Upon his honor member Of the House that
these charges true
'oh. no. Mr. Speaker Interrupted Mr. Rich
ordson 7 did not say the report was true I
vouched for the fact that Mr. Christmas had made
81"
The gentleman having vouched for the authen-
ITCHY of the charges" continued the Speaker the
Chair holds that the matter is of privilege
and recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee"
CHRISTMAS ALLEGED REPORT.
BY this time the interest in the House in
I'M eyer sea was nd he
members listened eagerly Mr. Richardson pro
ceeded 10 present his First he read extracts
from the press at Copenhagen These were fol-
lowed by affidavit from Neils Gron concerning
his dealings with certain people here. but they
were not particularly sensational. The real sensa-
ton came when he started to read from what pur-
ported TO be the report of Walter Christmas con-
corning the negotiations. He prefaced the reading
by the statement that il would show corrupt
bargain worthy Of the consideration Of the House
The report was too long TO read in full. Il will
only read the luscious extracts which. if true
should bring the blush Of shame to the cheek Of
every American" said Mr. Richardson, FOR the
statements Will disgrace this country in the eyes
Of every foreign country in the world This is what
this corrupt bargainer says"
He then proceeded to read Chrlstmas's account
Of HIS interview with the Prime Minister of Den
mark, in which he said 10 have told the Min
lister Of the necessity for the OF money to bring
the negotiations for the sale of the islands to a
successful termination. He told of his acduaint-
ance with Abner Mckinley, President McKinley's
brother, and his law partner, Colonel Brown
men whom Christmas described having the
entry TO the White House. being familiar with
the ways OF American politics. and what members
OF Congress would have to be paid TO accomplish
the results desired The Danish Foreign Minister
was reported disguised with the methods which
had to be pursued, but finally giving his acquies-
cence.
The report then described how Christmas had
enlisted only President McKiEley's brother and
his partner but TWO press associations one in New
York and one in Washington. and a prominent
banking house in New-York in the sale of the
islands.
Mr. Richardson said that Christmas was speak
.ng Of inviting members of Congress to dine with
him AT the Hotel Raleigh, in this city. He then
quoted from the report follows:
II was not alone the members Of Congress had
20 invite I had my special assistants two men
c. W. Knox. who was an intimate friend of Sena-
Washington. who represented Mr. Gardner and his
frienas IN the House These took an active part
IN the personal agitation, since they talked with
large number Of members Of Congress and agi-
tracts Win then poth. according TO which they,
enc through them certain members OF Congress.
took place; but the two gentlemen's agitation exo
penses etc. bills in restaurants hotels I had
Kinley and Brown Evans. Knox and Others had
promised that their contracts should be guaranteed
house had agreed. II should in one way or ane
RICHARDSON'S SPEECH on CHARGES.
Now. Mr.. Speaker" proceeded Mr.. Richardson.
81 could make OF these quotations but I viii
take the time OF the House. 1t is enough to
show what report this creature has made to the
Danish Government-this man whom our Secretary
Of State used agent q was about 10 say tool
but agent 10 carry q trusted diplomat from
our legation in London TO the court at Copenhagen
and there entertain this trusted agent and procure
him admission and introduction the Prime Min