Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-28
BRIBERY CHARGED
In Sale of Danish West Indies
to United States.
Danish Agent Says He Spent $780,
600 in Way Of Brides.
Richardson Springs Christmas Report
and Investigation Is Ordered.

Washington, March ga genuine
sensation was caused in the House, to-
day, by the presentation by Richard
son, Tenn, the Democratic leader, of
charges alleging the corrupt use of IA
fund of $500, 600 in connection with the
sale of the Danish West Indies. The
charges were 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 contamination.
The report, extracts from which Rich
ardson read, mentioned the names of
Abncr Mckinley and his partner, Col.
Brown, c. w. Knox, who was described
as IAN intimate friend of Senator Han
na," Richard p. Evans, who was said
to represent MIR. 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, Rich
ardson asked the adoption of a resolu-
ton for the appointment of an investi-
eating 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
proceedings.
Cannon, ILL.,, insisted that Richard
sons presentation was fragmentary
NJ ho+ ha who tay. cI, cyp
over until tomorrow in order that men,
bers might read the documents pre-
scented, which included newspaper ex-
tracts. affidavits. ETC., in the record.
Christmas, he declared, of his own
statement was a briber and worse.
But the House voted down the mo-
ton to postpone and the resolution
after being amended in minor partieu-
lars was accepted.
The Speaker Immediately appointed
the following committee to make the
investigation: Dalzell, Rep, Pa; Hit,
Rep, ILL.,; Cousins, Rep, Ia; Mccall,
Rep, Mass; Richardson, DEM, Tenn.
Dinsmore, Dem, Ark; and Cowherd,
Dem, Mo.
The army appropriation bill was sub
sequently passed without material
amendment and a rule was adopted to
make the bill to retire officers of the
revenue cutter service continuing or
der until disposed of, the order not to
interfere with appropriation or revenue
bills or conference reports.
At the opening of the session of the
House. Richardson, Tenn. the minority
leader. offered as matter of privilege.
a resolution for the appointment of a
committee of seven to investigate the
charges said to have been made by DR..
Walter Christmas, a semi-official rep
resentative of the government of Den
mark, in a secret report to his govern
ment in which it was made to appear
that he was to receive $500,000 of the
purchase money for bribing newspapers
and members of Congress. The resolu-
ton was very long and detailed and its
reading created great excitement on
both sides of the House.
The resolutions presented by Rich
ardson are in part as follows:
Whereas, one Walter Christmas, a
subject Of Denmark who is now and
who has been for several years a diplo-
Hl.illc dSent anu representative VI tiic
government of Denmark, authorized
and empowered to negotiate with the
government of the United States for
the sale Of the Danish West Indian is
lands 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 re-
port to his own government. and
Whereas, the said Christmas, agent
and representative, aforesaid, in his
said report to his government. declares
and sets forth among other things, the
fact that the government of Denmark
has contracted, agreed and obliged it
self to pay and turn over to him, the
said Christmas, 10 per centum, or about
100000 of the proceeds of the purchase
money arising from the sale of said is
lands to the United States when the
same shall have been paid by the Unit
ed States to Denmark, for the express
purpose as has been declared and set
forth by him in his said secret report
to his government for the purpose of
bribing of members of the United
States Congress, including members of
the House of Representatives and other
prominent citizens of this country, and
for substituting American newspapers,
to the end that the pending treaty be-
tween the United States and Denmark
for the sale Of the islands by the latter
to the former government may be con-
summated."
The resolutions further recite that
said secret report stated that the $780,
900 shall be Immediately paid to Christ
mas, if the purchase money is paid by
the United States for the corrupt OBJ
jects set forth. The tendency of the
ratification of the treaty is also set
forth. In conclusion the resolutions
ask that a select committee of seven
members of the House of Representa-
tives be appointed by the Speaker to
examine into the charges.
The Republican leaders hurriedly
consulted during the reading of the
resolution. and when the reading had
been concluded, Payne, the majority
leader, Immediately made the point of
order that the matter presented was
not provided. The basis of the resolu-
ton, Payne said, contemptuously, was
based upon an alleged secret report to
the Danish government. Instantly
CONTINUED on page 2.l