The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-30


Sans Sign manual on its bonds to make
them more desirable to foreign capitalists;
secondly, to change the route OF its main
line 80 ne to 20 by way of the Columbia
river; aud thirdly, a clear title to all the
lands of the original grant, whether occu-
pied by settlers or not. Incidentally MIR.
WHEELER said:
at more lard IL taken, n will only be because
the line is heightened by this change 81 route"
Important and large as were these new
changes and concessions, Mr.. WHEELER
only proposed to allow ten minutes to the
opponents OF the scheme. Mr.. Cox and
others protested against the gag, and tried
parliamentary tactics to prevent It. The
opposition insisted upon amendments
to protect the poor settlers, whom Mr..
WHEELER proposed TO eject without con-
sheraton. Mr.. BLAINE of course did his
best for the jobbers in tho chair, and ruled
on every point in their interest. Finally
an adjournment was carried without
reaching vote on the question.
The resolution came up again on the 10th
of May, when Mr.. FARSswoRTH was allow
cd one minute to state the case, rs follows:
There are two amendments which the gentle
men Of this House desire to have voted 90 ; one
IL reservinR to Congress the right to OK the tariff
II rates for freight and fare upon this road, ana
the other to connne the sales Of land In limited
quantities to actual settlers. With the right to
vote on these two anne ndmente. and with brief
scussion Of this Joint resolution, which grants
NV millions NJ acres Of land 10 tbs cOrDOrdI-
ton, aud 1t may be 70 to 100 millions from the
plrnseoloey used, only one hour Of debate having
been allowed on ", ana that portioned out to
those only to whom the gentleman having charge
Of the joint resolution MIR. WHEELERl saw OF to
/ have suggested. and brief discussion, think
the members am operating with will be content;
without that J. for one, am disposed to eight the
proposition. IL Is too Otg dose.
This declaration of war stirred the Ring
advocates on the floor, and Mr.. WHEELER
came forward TO break its force by evasion
and falsohood. He said:
The matter OF charges for Government trans
poftation IS fully regu ted b, the original char
ter. But he proposed to change and lengthen
i'll ] nave repeatedly decl red that do not re-
gard II rs equitable 20 attach a provision to this
wanted To- exclude the bona ME settlers and
open the land 10 speculation In this opinion the
senate has by very large majority concurred
so has the House Committee on Pacific Railroads
and on Public Lands The bill. IA II now stands,
has been sustained by decided majority Of the
House at every stage. | do not, therefore, feel
at liberty, If had the power. to consent that II
should he changed. insist on the precious qites
ton"
He had hardly sat down, before Mr..
HAwLEY OF Connecticut rose to contradict
n part Of this false statement in these
words:
Mr.. HAwLEY-Mr. speaker
the speaker-For what purpose does the
MIR. HAwLEY-I rise simply for the purpose
OF denying mat The majority o. the Committee
on Public Lduds crer consented 10 me passage u
this joint resolution
The opposition resisted the bill by dila-
tory motions, because Mr. WHEELER would
not allow any amendment to be made. 1t
went over until the next day, when Mr..
ORTIZ, who had acted with the minority,
changed front. His prejudices were con-
quered, rs they had been in regard TO the
claims against Venezuela. When the test
came of ordering the resolution to third
reading, Mr.. WHEELER was beaten sby
majority OF fourteen, and he voted against
his own motion, in order to move TO re-
consider and rccommit to the Committee
on Pacific Railroads. OF virtually TO him
self, which OF course was carried.
After the lapse of u fortnight. during
which time the lobby operated on the
weak aud doubtful members, Mr..
WHEELER reported back the resolution on
the 18th Of May, lcihOM amendment. Ho
allowed one hour for debate and then
called the previous question, after reserv-
ing an hour for himself and the friends OF
the job. Even EFFIGY SARGENT remon-
sirated against this new gag, but ms the
hired agent of the Central Pacific, his
voice was powerless. Sull he spoke de-
cisively as follows:
"Nr. SARGENT OF Cllifornla-Do understand
the gentleman That he proposes g yield one
hour to the twenty-four gen lemen who propose
to offer amendments to this joint resolutionr
MIR. WHEELER did 50 say.
Mr.. sARGENr-Ihat i little over two min
utes to each gentleman.
After struggle and an announcement
bv the Speaker that Mr. WHEELER could
bring the debate TO close whenever he
pleased, Mr.. HAwLEY addressed the House,
advocating an amendment, fixing the
price of land to actual settlers at $3.50 an
acre, not exceeding 100 acres. Other
amendments were offered, and met with
technical objections by the attorneys Of
the Ring. The lobby thronged the floor,
and Mr.. CLARKE of Kansas called atten-
ton to tho presence of the most notorious
members Of that fraternity. But all in
vain. The amendments were scornfully
rejected, and on the 10Th of May the joint
resolution. rs il was reported by MIR.
WHEELER, went through the House by
twenty-five majority
Mr.. WHEELER was victorious, but his
victory then ought TO insure his defeat
now. To him, more than to any other
man, owing to the position which no ocou-
pied, may be traced the responsibility for
the Northern Pacific swindle and ali its
disastrous consequences. But for him. tho
legislation through which the fraud was
perpetrated on the public and by which
Thousands have been reduced to beggaTy,
could not have been carried through. lie
put into the hands JAY COOKE X co., ana
their conledcratcs, the means by which
they were enabled 10 deceive and cheat
the Conliding widows and orphans, who
sold good securities and invested hard
savings in the hope OF improving their
iittlo incomes, ana upon the assurance that
the Northern Pacific bonds were rs good,
and even better, than those Of the United
States. Tho day of reckoning has now
como for Mr., WHEELER and Mr. HAYES,
aud the party that conceived aud consum-
Oh I'M