The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1886-03-13
without fear, as do not think it is neces-
sary for me to exercise the functions OF my
Office in looking up trouble"


Office in looking up trouble" :.
When the railroad companies acted IN
compliance with the requirements OF the
granting acts they would give facilities TO
new telegraph companies which sprung up
from time to time, but they were now han
dicapped by their contracts with the Weee-
ern Union. It was time not only Tor plain
speech but Tor positive action. When Con-
gress determined that the laws should De
enforced against individuals and corpora
tions there would be fewer complaints
about monopolies. Throughout the coun-
try the attempt of corporations to pay
interest and dividends on bonds and stock
that should never have been issued, consti-
tuted crying evil and justified much OF
the complaint of the lab"ring men. Two
thirds OF the Western Union stock was clear
water without speck Of dye in it. Let
Congress say that Che telegraph companies
should not combine. Let 1t state that ne
telegraph company should gain more
than 10 per cent. of Vhe actual cash
valuation of it's existing capital. Let
it compel the Pacific roads to perform all
Of their duties according to the letter and
the spirit of the law. After fair trial had
been made with such laws and no bene'
fetal results followed, Congress could con-
slider the propriety Of taking control OF the
WuOlo CeIekrdpu 6yoUoW. II OOA6AoOS "ouAsa
enact such laws as would prevent console.
dation and promote competition west Of
the Missouri and prevent telegraph COM
panies from increasing rates they had them
selves established, it would accomplish
vastly more for public service than by any
postal telegraph system. The representa-.
tives Of the Western Unicn will he heard
on Tuesday next.
VEST AND THE TELEPHONE.
Messra. Hall and Willard designated
for the purpose by the House Special Com
mittee to investigate and report the facts
concerning the ownership of the Pan.
Electric Telephone stock by certain public
officers. took the deposition OF Senator
Vest at his residence this afternoon. The
Senator stated that he first heard OF the
Pan Electric Telephone Company through
a printed circular sent to him through the
mails some time in April, 1884. The
circular gave the names OF the officials
of the company and the purposes
for which it was organized. He noticed
that the name OF senator Harris, OF
as connected with the enterprise. He
.all on Senator Harris and by him was
referred to Senator Garland, who was
represented as well acquainted with the
status OF the company and it's relation to
the Bell company. After obtaining Mr..
Garland's g opinion the Senator said he con-
Guided to take and did take 100 shares
of Pan. Electric stock for which he gave his
check for $1,000 on the Metropolitan
National bank OF Washington. winch was
paid on the following day and for which he
received contracts showing that he was
entitled to 100 shares ofstock which, owing
to the incomplete organization OF
the company was not at that time ready
to issue. .'That stock was issued to me, +"
said the Senator. ''about one year ago,
that is ninety shares of it. only ten shares
were retained by the company as an assess.
ment to defray the expenses OF expected
litigation with the Bell Company. After
Senator Vest. "Mr. Stillson Hutchins, of
this city, offered take my stock my
hands and pay me what it cost.
This offer / refused as it might
look like retreat under fire.
/ considered it a mere speculation but was
willing to take chances. 1 have received
dividends of twelve or fifteen dollars since
I have owned the stock" Continuing he
said II have had no conversation with Mr..
Casey Young, Secretary OF the Pan Electric
Company, and have never met and do not
know Mr. Rogers, whit appears was promi-
nent in the organizatio OF the compal,y Mr..
Garland represented to me that in his opin-
ion the Bell patent was illegally obtained
and that the Fan Electric stock might be
worth some money. At that time Mr.
Cleveland had not been nominated Tor the
Presidency and Of course Mr. Garland was
unthought OF in connection with the At
torney .Generalship.