The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-04-04

No event in the history Of the
Fifty ly-Seventh congress has produced
the CONSERVATION that was occa-
lsioned on Thursday when Repre-
sentative Richardson, of Tennessee,
rose 10 question OF privilege. and
introduced a series of resolutions
reclIlng that one Captain Charles
Christmas, quasi agent of the Dan.
ish government. had, in secret re-
port to his government, stated that
he had, as promoter Of the treaty
conveying the Danish West Indies
to the United States, pledged brides
to the amount OF 10 per cent. OF the
purchase price to effect the sale to
this country. Mr.. Richardson's 5
resolutions further called for the i'm
mediate appointment Of an investi-
eating committee. As the clerk
proceeded with the reading of his
resolutions a number Of the mem
bers are said to have turned pale
and there was intense excitement in
the chamber. Rep. Payne claimed
that the resolutions were not in or
der and Rep. Cannon protested
against immediate action, but
Speaker Henderson ruled that the
point of order was not well taken,
and finally the resolutions were
adopted and an investigating com
mittee consisting of thee democrats
and four republicans was appointed
Speaking of the subject later, Mr.
Richardson told me that he knew
nothing as to the correctness Of
Christmas assertions, but he be-
lieved the matter was of sufficient
Importance to warrant its being
probed TO the bottom. He criti-
cised Secretary Hay for not having
called the attentio Of congress to
the report before, so that it might
be investigated and repudiated be
fore the ratification of the treaty.
"The honor OF congress is at stake"
said Mr.. Richardson, "and if this
thing is tissue OF slanders that is
all the more reason why it should
be so branGed." A democratic
senator, speaking on the subject,
said: 81 cannot believe that any
mem Der Of the Senate has permitted
himself to be bribed. However,
Christmas statement shows that he
approached very near the fountain
head of certain legislation. His
statement that magnate OF the
Standard Oil company claimed that
he could control the votes Of TWEEN
ty-six senator's is not new, That
these things are done by bribing is
not true but that great corpora
tions influence legislation, is, un-
fortunately, far truer than it should
be. The general extravaganza Of
Christmas allegations is demon
strated, however, by his statement
that Senator Lodge is the only man
in American political life who will
not take bribe. That is, of course,
nonsense! | anticipate that the in
vestiga;ion will demonstrate that
Captain Christmas is an unprin-
cipled adyenturer who may or may
not have expended money along
lines which he believed would in.
huence legislation. The one grave
error in the affair seems to me to
have been made by Secretary Hay,
in having any dealings with man
who was not only not properly ac-
credited, but who had not even an
introduction from the Danish minis
ter" In reply to question the
senator said, my respect for the
late president precludes my express
ing myself in regard to Abner Nc
Klnley."
During the first four days Of the
past week the Senate discussed the
ELECTROMAGNETIC bill, and OH
Thursday evening it adjourned un-
Ill this noon, when the same bill
will be the regular order" The
spirit of rebellion against the die
tatorship which Speaker Henderson
has been exercising in the House
has extended to the Senate end Of
the capitol, and yesterday repub-
lican senator told me that il the
Speaker continued to suppress GER
tain measures which had been
passed by the Senate the latter body
might conclude 10 re-enact the bills
and attach them 10 some OF the ap-
propriation bills sent over from the
House. This is particularly true Of
the ship subsidy bill, and the irriga-
tion bill, both Of which the speaker
apparently intends to bury in com
mittee, and both of which are likely
to re appear attached to the River
and Harbor bill when the Senate
sends it TO conference. The demo-
Gratis are rather enjoying the dis
lcomfifure of the renublicana under