Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-03-27
FIFTY-SEvENTH CONGRESS-.
Washington, D. c., March 81.
SENATE,

OenenclarY na0 Deen recently vetoed Dy
the President, he had been given 10
underst ADD that the present bill would
meet with executive approval.
Mr.. Gallinger expressed his Rrstiica-
ton. He said he had been forced to
believe that bills providing for honor
able discharges and correction of milit-
airy records could not be passed. He
had so written many applicants.
The Senate passed q House joint
resolution appointing members OF the
Board OF Managers OF the National
Home for disabled volunteer soldiers
of the United States.
The oleomargarine bill was taken
up at the conclusion OF the routine
business.
Mr.. Harris spoke upon his amend
ment providing for tax on renovated
butter, and denounced adulterstlons OF
ell kinds.
1t was agreed that when adjourn
ment was taken today, it be until
Monday.
HOUSE.
Directly after the reading OF the
minutes, Mr.. Richardson, the demo-
cratic floor leader, arose to q question
OF privilege. He had read from the
clerks desk resolutions setting forth
that whereas Captain Won Christmas,
agent of the Danish government, bad
made q secret and confidential report
to his government, setting forth that
he is entitled to ten per cent. or AL
together about 100000 OF the price to
be paid by this government for the
Danish West Indies, part OF which was
used Ia bribiDg members of the United
States Congress and other prominent
American cit IONS and for subsidizing
the American press, and whereas, tue
ratification has not yet been copsumma'
ted, the money not yet appropriated,
therefore.
Resolved. That the Speaker OF the
House be instructed to appoint q COM
mittee OF seven members OF the House
to examine into the truth OF these
| charges.
Mr.. Payne, the republican floor
| leader, at once raised point OF order.
1.-THE preamble sets forth tbst this re-
Dol is secret one," he said, sarcas'
ticsIly, "and then the resolution con-
trsdicts itself. The facts are not known.
A question of privilege cannot be
founded on such a report. The matter
Ia not before the House."
Mr.. Richardson replied with much
warmth. II will state on my honor, as
] a member" he declared, that have
before me what purports to be and
what 1 believe to be that report-less
| one page. These charges were made
| by the diplomatic agent OF the Danish
| government who was also the quasi, II
not the real, agent of our government.
The report was secret one, but | say,
fully realizing the force OF my words,
that, on my honor, l have copy Of
it."
when did the gentleman examine
the archives OF the government st Den
mark?" interrupted Mr.. Payne,
81 have never been 10 Denmark"
was the retort, "but that is not the only
way 10 which ID get report. Captain
| Christmas makes grave charges and
they ought ID be invest igated. dis
claim in this connection, al Intention
OF sparring for any political advantage
In this mater"
Speaker Henderson said that Con.
Rress had no jurisdiction to investigate
charges against American newspapers
and he questioned the right of the
House To invest gate, when members OF
the House were not specified 10 the
resolution.
Continuing, Mr.. Richardson read an
affidavit by Niels GroD, a former citizen
of Denmark in which he stated that be
had seen the secret and confidential
reports made by Christmas to his gov.
ernment and the statements published
In Copenhagen papers and setting forth
the charge that Chri tmas had been
obliged to use large sums OF money to
subsidize two press associations and
members OF the American Congress.
Mr.. Gron's affidavit stated thst
Christmas had admitted the truth of
the statements over his signature, end
that the printed reports we're correct.
Mr.. Richardson thea read FROM Q
number of Danish papers commenting
Oh the sale OF the Danish West Indies
and the report Of Christmas, as we'll ss
his agreement with the ministry thst
be was to receive ten per cent OF the
purchase price OF the islands. OGe Of
the papers made the statement that
Chris tmss had bribed American legisla-
tors on credit. Another paper said that
Christ mas had carried on his Degotia-
lions with members OF Congress.
through Mr.. G. w. Knott, an intlmsts
friend OF Senator Hanna, and Il. p.
Eddy, an attorney OF the city, friend
OF Congressman Gardner. Continuing,
Mr.. Richardson told OF Ambassador
Whites visit from London to Copen.
was the guest OF Christmas there.
Mr.. Richardson then read extracts
from ths translation OF Captain Christ
mae, report to the Danish Government.
10 these excerpts it was set forth by
Captain Christmas that he had made
the acquaintance Of the Presidents
brother, Abner Mckinley, and his part.
ner, Mr.. Brown, who are gentlemen
much respected, he says, and In posi-
ton to have Influence with business
men and statesmen. Further the re-
port OF Christmas Gays that Abner Nc
Kinley and Mr.. Brown bad entree to
the White House, and know all about
the affairs OF Congress and are
we'll informed as to what member
of Congress must be paid TO accomplish
results" He also says that he had to
promise certain sum to Messrs. Nc
Kinley and Brown and to pay large
sum to two press associations. one 10
New York and one in Washineto On, aud
that he had q guarantee of these
amounts promised from j. and w.
0annnnnn hankara In Nam Xnrk cit