Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-04
CAPT. CHRISTMAS
And His Alleged Bribery in the
Danish Islands Sale.
Abner Mckinley and Rep. Gardner
Deny All Connection Herewith.
Lawyer Hansen Tells What He Knows
of Christmas.

NdSHlilS toii, april o Ht ihN''tiso.
ton of charges in connection with the
Danish West Indies negotiations was
resumed, today. by the House special
committee having it in charge. Among
those present when the hearing began
were Abner Mckinley, Col. w. G.
Brown, Carl Fischer Hansen and Rep
resentative Gardner of New Jersey.
Mr.. Mckinley was the first witness.
He gave his residence as New York, his
business that of lawyer, and in re-
Spouse to Chairman DalZells inquiry
said he was brother of the late Pres
ident. Asked as to whether he knew
Captain Christmas, the witness said he
had met him once in the most casual
way in the lobby of the Manhattan no.
tel, New York. He never held any con-
ference with him of any kind or char
acter.
WAS there any talk Of the Danish
West Indies?' asked Mr.. Dalzell.
None whatever, either remotely or
otherwise" anskered the witness.
Mr.. Mckinley went on to say that he
had never mentioned the matter to the
President. He had no meeting with
Christmas beyond his casual one, when
lIcIS WIS nOlHllS except al eXcHdHSe
of the courtesies of the day.
Representative Richardson asked the
witness if he knew Mr.. Hansen. Mr..
Mckinley said he had known Hensen
for some time and prior to the casual
meeting with Christmas, Hansen had
desired to retain him in this matter. In
reply the witness said he told Mr.. Hen
sen he could have nothing to do with
it, Subsequently when he met Christ
mas they passed the time of day and
that was the end of it.
Mr.. Richardson asked if Mr.. McKin-
ley ever had any talks with the Selig-
mans on this subject. Mr. Mckinley
said he had never had any CONVERSE
ton with them on this transaction or
with anyone except Hansen, as had
beer stated.
Representative Gardner followed with
a statement disclaiming all knowledge
of Christmas except that of the most
casual character. Someone, he said,
had asked permission to present a lady
and gentleman at his (Gardner's) room.
There was a brief meeting and the card
left bore the name of Christmas. Mr..
Gardner said he had taken some inter-
est in the acquisition Of the Danish
West Indies and had introduced bill
on the subject. But this was before
Christmas had made the casual call.
Mr.. Gardner. also disclaimed going
over the subject with a Mr.. Evans
who had been mentioned in the matter,
except in a sidewalk conversation
when inquiries We're made as to the
prospects of a sale of the Danish is
lands.
Mr.. Richardson asked if Mr.. Gardner
knew of the International Press Asso-
citation. Mr.. Gardner said he did; he
had been a stakeholder in the concern,
which at one time represented several
New Jersey newspapers.
Col. w. c. Brown testified that he
met Christmas once at the Manhattan
hotel in New York. He had no con-
versation with him at the meeting ex-
cept the usual interchange of courtesies.
He had no business relations with him;
none was spoken of at that meeting,
which was the only one.
To Mr.. Richardson's questions Col.
Brown said he had no contract with
Christmas or Hensen or anyone in con-
nection with the Danish matter.
his occupation as an attorney at New
York. He said Christmas told him in
1899 Of the movement to sell the Danish
islands to the United States and of
Denmark's willingness to pay literally
in case Of a sale. Christmas desired
Hansen to act as counsel. Witness
called on Abner Mckinley and asked
him If he would become associate coun-
sci. Mr.. Mckinley replied that he
ought to know that he Mckinley
would not be retained on any negotia-
ton in which the government was con-
cerned. Mr.. Mckinley told him also of
showing a man out of his Office who
had sought to bring up a question of
government appointment in connection
with legal business. Hansen said that
he had urged that the acquisition of the
islands was in accord with this govern
ments policy, but Mr.. Mckinley would
have nothing to do with the matter.
Later Hansen said he talked with
Col. Brown and requested him to ask
the President il there was any inten-
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