The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-04-01
Mr.. Richardson Reads TX
tracts in the House.
IT CREATES A GENUINE SENSATION
Report Mentions the Names OF
Abner Mckinley. c. W. Knox, "A
Friend of Senator Hanna and Oth-
ers. The Charges Against Members
of Congress Not Specific. Committee
Of Seven Appointed to Investigate.
Bv the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated PreSS.)
Washington. d. c., March PA sen
nine sensation was caused in the House
today bv the presentation by Mr.. Rich
ardeon. Of Tennessee, the Democratic
leader. the charges alleging the corrupt
uee Of a fund of $500, 600 in connection
with the sale Of the Danish West Indies
The charges We're contained IN an alleged
secret report of Captain Walter Christ
mas 70 the Danish Government, which
means to bring the negotiations for the
sale of the islands to a consummation.
The report, extracts from which MIR.
Richardson read, mentioned the names
of Abne Mckinley and his partner,
Colonel Brown, G. w. Knox, who was
described as IAN intimate friend OF Sci
ator HANNAH Richard p. Evans, VINO
was said to represent Mr.. Gardner and
his friends in the House. and two press
associations the names of which We're
not given, as having been Interested ID
the matter. The charges against mem
bers of Congress were not specific.
Upon the basis Of this report Mr..
Richardson asked the adoption OF 4 res
olution for the appointment OF an lnVcs-
tigating committee of seven. The speak
er ruled that the matter was privileged
aftei. Mr.. Richardson had amended his
resolution so as to specifically include
members of the House.
Great excitement attended the whole
proceeding. Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, in
sisted that Mr.. Richardson's presenta-
ton was fragmentary and that the whole
| matter should go over until tomorrow,
in order that members might read the
documents presented, which included
newspaper extracts, a~ffidavits, etc, in
the record. Christmas, he declared( on
own statement was a briber and worse.
But the House voted down the motion to
| postpone and the resolution after being
amended in minor particulars was acOpt-
| ed. The speaker Immediately appointed
| the following committee to make inVesti-
CATION: Messrs. Dalzell, 0tepublican,
Penna): Hit, (Rep., Ills.); Cousins,
(Rep.. Iowa.: Mccall Rep., Mass.);
Richardson, Dem, Temp; Dinsmorc,
U;em., Ark; and CoWherd, Oem., MOI.
h Army Appropriation Bill was sub
sequently passed without material
amendment. and a rule was adopted to
make the bill to retire officers of the
revenue cutter service, a continuing
order undisposed of, the order not to in
t~erfere with appropriation or revenue
bills or conference reports.
RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY.
The resolutions presented by Mr.. Rich
ardson are in part as follows:
"Whereas, one Walter Christmas, q
J subject Of Denmark, who is now and
who has been for several years, a diplo-
matte agent and representative Of the
Government of Denmark, authorized and
empowered to negotiate with the Gov
eminent of the United States for the
sale of the Danish West Indies Islands
to the United States, and who was also
the agent of the United States for the
purchase of said islands, has submitted
a secret and confidential report to his
own Government and,
Whereas, the said Christmas, agent
and representative, as aforesaid, in hi.
report to his Government declares
and sets forth among other things
the fact that the Government Of Den
mark has contracted, agreed and obi.
gated itself to pay and turn over to him
the said Christmas, ten per centum, OF
tUOul ' llOuSduu uO1ldIS- o
the proceeds of the purchase none,
arising from the sale of said islands t,
the United States when the same shall
have been paid by the United States t.
Denmark, for the express purpose as ha.
been declared and set forth by him il
his said secret report to his Government
for the bribing of members of the Unite
States Congress-, including members o
the House of Representatives and Othe,
prominent citizens Of this country. an,
for substituting American newspapers,
to the end that the pending treaty be
tween the United States and Denmark
for the sale of the islands by the latte
to the former government may be con
s~ummated."
The resolutions further recite that sal
secret report states that the $500, 90
shall be Immediately paid to Christmas
if the purchase money is paid by tn
United States for the. corrupt object
set forth. The tendency of the ratifca
ton of the treaty is also set forth. /
conclusion the resolutions recite that
select committee of seven members o
the House of Representatives be ap
pointed by the Speaker to examine int
the charges and the alleged circum
stances, contracts, etc, which in an
manner have for their object the briber
of or the attempted bribery of member
of the United States Congress or Of tn
payment of any valuable considerable
of any kind or character to them or t
any of them to vote for or to assist i
! procuring, the proposal, adoption O