The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-28
HALF A MILLION TO BRIBE
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS-
Agreement of Denmark to Pay Its Diplomatic Agent
That Sum to Buy Votes For the Treaty
of CessiOn
THE AGENTS ALLEGED SECRET REPORT

United States for the corrupt objects
set forth. The pendency of the ratifica-
tion of the treaty is also set forth. In
conclusion the resolutions recite that a
select committee of seven members of
the House of Representatives be ap-
pointed by the Speaker to examine into
the charges and the alleged circum-
stances, contracts, ETC., (which in any
manner have for their object the bribery
of or the attempted bribery of members
of the United States Congress or of the
payment of any valuable consideration
of any kind or character to them or to
any of them to vote for or to assist in
procuring, the proposal. adoption or
ratification of the said treaty of sale
of the said islands,
The Republican leaders hurriedly con-
suited during the reading of the resolu-
/ tons andSWhen the reading had been con-
| ciuded Mr.. Payne, the majority leader.
Immediately made the point of order that
the matter presented was not privileged.
The resolution, Mr.. Payne said, con-
temptulously, was based upon an alleged
! secret report to the Danish Government
Instantly Mr.. Richardson met this with
teh statement that he had a copy of the
| secret report to the Danish Government
ON my honor as member of this
House" said he, Il have now on my desk
what purports TO be and and what be-
lieve is that secret confidential report.
Assuming the full responsibility of my
words l believe l have unmistakable evil
dence that this report was made to the
Danish Government was quasi if not
real agent Of that Government"
1 When did the gentleman obtain ac-
cess to the secret archives of the Danish
! Government" irterposed Mr. Payne sar-
castically.
/ Il have never been to Denmark" re-
torted Mr.. Richardson, but the gentle
man knows there are other ways of OBJ
/ tanning authentic government documents.
! | have the evidence here. This is
grave charge. 1 do not bring it here for
| the purpose of making political capital
Here is charge that $685. 900 was paid
for the express purpose of bringing the
American Congress yet the gentleman
from New York seeks to interpose
technica objection
Speaker Henderson at this point called
attention to the fact that the language
OF the resolution charged that newspa-
pers and members of Congress had been
bribed. Members of Congress-" he said,
did not necessarily include members OF
the House" He thought if the resolution
was to be privileged it should specifically
include members of the House.
Il am prepared to say" replied Mr.
Richardson, that these charges do in
clude members of the House and will
amend the resolution to that extent"
Speaker Henderson thereupon ruled
that the matter presented was privileged.
By this time the interest in the House
was intense. Almost every seat was oc-
cupied and the members listened eagerly
as Mr.. Richardson proceeded to present
his case. First, he read extracts from the
press at Copenhagen.
These were followed by an affidavit
from Nclls Green concerning his dealings
with certain people here, but they were
rot particularly sensational. The real
sensation came wnen he started to read
from what purported to be the report of
| Walter Christmas concerning the nego-
tiatiOns. He prefaced the reading by the
statement that it would show corrupt
| bargain" worthy of the consideration of
the House. THhe report was tcO long
to read in full, he said, Il will only
read the luscious extracts which, if true
should bring the blush of shame to the
cheek OF every American said he. For
the statement 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 Mr.. Christmas account of his inter-
view with the prime minister of DEM
mark, in which he was said to have told
the minister of the necessity for the use
OF money to bring the negotiations for the
sale of the islands to a successful termi-
nation He told of his acquaintance with
Aoner Mckinley, President McKinley's S
brother and his law partner, Colonel
Brown, two gentlemen whom Mr. Christ
mas described as having the entry to the
white House and being familiar with the
ways OF American politics and what mem
bers OF Congress would have to be paid
to accomplish the results desired"
The report then described how Mr..
Christmas had enlisted not only President
MckinleyS 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.
The Danish foreign minister was re-
ported as disgusted with the methods
which had to be pursued. but as finally
giving his acquiesce.
Mr.. Richardson said that Christmas was
speaking of inviting members of Congress
to dine with him at the Hotel Raleigh
in this city He then quoted from the
report as follows
1T was not alone the members of
Congress had to invite. | had as my
special assistants two men. G. w Knox.
who was an intimate friend of Senator
Hanna ichard p. Evans. lawyer