The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-04
A LIVELY SENATE SCENE
Over Resolution Regarding the
Charge of Bribery in the Danish
West Indies

West indies
Washington. April lin the executive
session of the senate today, Senator
Bacon. of Georgia, offered q resolution
susing Of his proclamation announcing
the acquisition of the Danish West In
dies under the terms of the treaty re-
Gently negotiated with Denmark until
the pending investigation of the charg-
Ies of bribery made in connection with
that treaty should be concluded by the
house of representatives.
The resolution provoked a smart de-
bate, which was participated in by Sen
.ators Bacon and Money, both demo-
cratic members of the committee on for
eign relations. on the one side, and by
Senators Cullom, Lodge, Hanna, ALI
son. Nelson and other republicans, OF
the other side.
Senator Bacon. outlined the charges
made by NJ. Gron. that NJ. Christmas,
another subject of Denmark. had mad
la report TO the effect that he was TO
receive 10 per cent. of the conSidera-
ton of s.. 600. 600 to be paid by the Unit
ed States to Denmark for the islands
and that Christmas. in his report, a
IAIlGIllOIlGu II IdIllC VI dl lcI SUI
to whom he had paid money. Senator
Bacon said that he did not for a min
ute accept this report as true, but felt
that fnasmuch as the house had taken
sufficient ~cogniZance of it to order an
Investigation the senate should take
some step. in view of its recent action
in ratifying the treaty, looking to the
suspension of final action by this our
try. He did not believe that the SEN
late could reconsider it's action of ratifi-
l%cation. but there would be no impropri-
lety, he thought, in asking the president
to hold the matter up temporarily, or
finally in case it shoul be proved that
the charges were not without fundation.
He said that his only motive was to put
the senate right before the country, n
in this connection he commented upon
the readiness of the public to assume
the correctness of all charges involving
public men.
Senator Bacon was interrupted fire.
uuently by republican senator's, and
when he took his seat there were sew
eral of them on the floor ready to re-
lspond to his suggestion. They agreed
to q man that the senate was not call
ed on to take any action under the cir
cumStanceS. saying that the charges
had not been made public and were not
known when the treaty was ratified;
that the president could be depended
upon to perform his duties without any
hint from the senate. and that the
house investigation probably very soon
would develop that the charges were
based upon nothing. They expressa ID
regre that any charges had been made,
but said they saw no reason why the
sale of the islands should not proceed.
Senator Cullom, as chairman of the
committee on foreign relations, said
that the treaty had received careful
considera ton. and that there was gen
eral agre ment that the United States
from both 4 strategic and economic
stand point had don well in acquiring
them.
Senator Lodge. also of the committee
on foreign relations. and other repub-
lican members took the same position.
Senator Nelson smoke with more feel
ing than most other senator's, saying
that he did not consider the charge,
Originating as it had. with persons un-
known to the senate. worthy OF that
Ibody's serious consideration. In his
Iopinion to axe any such step as
was contemplated by the resolution
under the circumstances would
be an INSULT TO the government of Den
mark. He did not fcr a moment believe
that the Danish administration had
made any contract to pay anv commits
sion for the sale of the islands. nor that
any money had been paid officials or
the press. as had been charged in that
connection. in the negotiation with tn"
United States.
Senator Hanna denied all knowledge
of Mr.. Christmas or his mission AMI
Iexpress his opinion that the tranSac-
Itlon. so far as the United States gov
lernment was concerned. a been per
Ifectly clean.
Senator Money spoke in the same vein
las had Senator Bacon, saying that he
saw no objection to the passage OF the
resolutions as they would only serve =
delay the matter for a brief time ~
lease the charges should prove TO he
without foundation, while if they were
we'll founded much good might be a"-
cumplished by delay.
Senator Bacon closed the incident BY
Isavirg that he would not press the res
olution in view Of the expression or so
lmany senator's, and in consequence Of
this announcement the senate adjourn
led without taking action.