The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-28
ALLEGED SCANDAL.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAG

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
pone and the resolution. after being
amended in minor particulars, was adopted.
following committee to make the investi-
cation: Messrs. Dalzell, Hit, Cousins. Me
Call, Richardson, Dinsmore and Cowherd.
The army appropriation bill was subse-
Quently passed without amendment and a
rule was adopted to make the bill TO retire
officers of the revenue cutter service a
continuing order until disposed of, the or
der not to interfere with appropriation or
revenue bills or conference reports.
THE SCANDAL RESOLUTION.
The Christmas matter was sprung on the
House soon after it convened. The resolu-
ton presented by Mr.. Richardson, in part,
follows:
Whereas. One Walter Christmas. a sub
ject of Denmark, who is now and who
has been for several years a diplomatic
agent and representative of the govern
ment of Denmark, authorized and empow-
cred to negotiate with the government of
the United States for the sale of the
States and who was also the agent for
the United States for the purchase of said
islands. has submitted a secret and conf
Dental report TO his own government, and
Whereas, The said Christmas, agent and
representative, as aforesaid, In his said re-
port to his government declares and sets
forth, among other things, the fact that
the government of Denmark has contract
ed, agreed and obligated itself TO pay and
turn over TO him; the said Christmas. 10
per centum, or about $50O,O00, of the pro-
ceeds Of the purchase money arising from
the sale of said islands to the United States
when the same shall have been paid by the
United States to Denmark for the express
purpose, as has been declared and set forth
by him in his said secret report TO his gov
eminent, for the bribing of members of the
United States Congress, including members
of the House of Representatives and other
prominent citizens of this country, and
for subsidiZing American newspapers, to
the end that the pending treaty between
the United States and Denmark for the
sale of the islands by the latter 10 the
former government may be contaminated"
The resolutions further recite that said
secret report states that the $780, 600 shall
be Immediately paid to said Christmas if
the purchase money is paid by the United
States for the corrupt objects set forth.
The tendency of the treaty is also set
forth. In conclusion the resolutions re-
cite that a select ommitte of seven men,
bers OF the House Of Representatives be ap-
pointed by the speaker TO examine into
the charges and the alleged circumstances,
contracts, etc, which in any manner have
for their object the bribery of or the at
tempted bribery of members of the United
States Congress or for 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 pro-
posal, adoption or ratification of the said
treaty OF sale of the said islands"
REPUBLICANS PROTEST.
The Republican leaders hurriedly con-
suited during the reading Of the resolu-
tions. and when the reading had been con-
cluded Mr.. Payne, the majority leader, i'm
mediately made the point of order that the
matter presented was not privileged. The
basis of the resolution, Mr.. Payne said.
contemptuously, was based upon an alleged
secret report 10 the Danish government.
Instantly Mr.. Richardson met this with the
statement that he had seen a COPY of the
secret report to the Danish government.
ION my hnrnr as a mamhpr of this TInrren -
said he, Il have now on my desk what pur-
ports 10 be and what / believe is that secret
confidential report. Assuming the full re-
SpOnSlbi1tY OF my words. | believe / have
unmistakable evidence that this report was
made TO the Danish government by a quasi
If not a real agent Of that government"
when die the gentleman obtain access to
the secret archives of the Danish govern
ment?' interpoSed Mr.. Payne, sarcastically.
Il have never been 10 Denmark" retorted
Mr.. Richardson. but the gentleman knows
there are other ways of obtaining authentic
government / have the evil
dence here. This is "A grave charge. / do
not bring il here for the purpose Of making
political capital. Here is a charge that
100000 was paid for the purpose Of bribing
the American Congress, yet the gentleman
from New York seeks to interpose a tech
meal objection
Speaker Henderson at this point called
attention to the fact that the language Of
the resolution charged that newspapers
and members OF Congress had been bribed.
Members Of Congress- he said. did not
necessarily include members Of the House.
If members OF the Senate, that body must
be the custodian OF its own morals" He
thought II the resolution was 10 be priv
legged il should specifically include members
OF the House.
y am prepared to say" replied Mr.. Rich
ardson. that these charges do include
members of the House. and will amend the
I resolution 10 that extent"
Speaker Henderson thereupon ruled that
the matter was privileged. This is a mat
ter or high privilege he said. Exactly