The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-03-28

Washington, March PA genuine sen
satiou was caused in the house today by
the presentation by Mr. Richardson Crennl.
the democratic leader. of charges alleging
the corrupt use of fund Of 100000 in
connection with the snIo OF the Danish
West Indies.
The charges were contained in an alleged
secret report of Captain Walter Christmas
to the Danish government which declared
that he had employed corrupt means to
bring the negotiations FOR the sale Of the
islands TO contamination. The report
extracts from which Mr.. Richardson read
mentioned the names of Abner Mckinley
and bis partner, Colonel Brown C. W.
Knox, was was described AZ an intimate
friend Of Senator Hanna" Richard Z.
Evans who was said TO represent Mr..
Gardner aud his friends In the house
and two press associations. the names OF
which were not given. as having been IN
terested In the matter. The charges against
members of congress were not SPECIFIC
Upon the basis of this report Mr.. Rich
ardson asked the adoption OF a resolution
for the appointment Of an investigating
committee of seven. Great excitement at
tended the whole proceeding. Mr.. Cannon
am insisted that Mr.. Richardson's prcscn-
tation was fragmentary and that the whole
matter should go over until tomorrow In
order that members might read the doc4
ments presented. which included newspa-
rer extracts, anlduvts. etc, in the Rec
ora. Christmas. he declared on his own
statement was a bribcr and worse. Blu:
! No a
pone and the resolution was adopted. Tho
| sneaker Immediately appointed the neces-
sary committee.
! The army appropriation bill was suisse
queutly passed without material amend
mcnt.
At the opening Of the session of the house
| today Mr. Richardson trenn). the minority
| leader, offered as a matter of privilege q
resolution for the appointment OF com
mlttee of seven to Investigate the charges
said TO have been made by Walter Christ
mas. Il scmi.ohiclal representative Of tbs
government Of Denmark in secret re
port to his government in which II wa'
made to appear that he was to receive
| $500 OO0 of the purchase money for th'
sale Of the Danish West indies for hrbini
newspapers aud members Of congress. The
resolution was very long and detailed, an,
It's reading created great excitement OF
both sides of the house.
The resolutions presented by Mr.. Rich
ardsou are in part as follows:
whereas, one Walter Christmas, sub
! iect of Denmark, who is now aud VII,
has been for several years diplomatic
agent and representative Of the government
Of Denmark. authorized and empowered u
negotiate with the government Of tn,
United states for the sale of the Dansl
West Indies islands to the United States
ana who was also agent for the Unite
States for the purchase Of said Islands
has submitted a secret and confidential re
port to his own government; and,
Whereas, the said Christmas. agent an
representative as aforesaid, in his said rs
mort TO his government declares, and set
forth among other things the fact that tn
government OF Denmark has contracted
agreed and obligated Itself TO pay and tur
over 10 him the said Christmas. 10 pc
ceEtum. or about SJOOOOO, OF the proceed
of the purchase money arising from the sal
OF said Islands to the United States whe
the same shall have been paid by tn
United states TO Denmark for the expires
purpose 40 Hah oceN NN''NiN"' anu Stt ioi
By him, in bis said secret report 60 IN
government. for the Drihing OF menbel
Of the United States congress, includlu
members Of the house OF representative
and other prominent citizens Of this coui
E try. and for substituting American new
papers TO the end that the pending treat
; between the United states and Denmar
for ms sale Of the islAndG By the latter