Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-01-18
WASHINGTON NEWS.
President Cleveland's Mes
sage to Congress
REGARDING THE RAILROADS.
Lamar, Villas and Dickinson Re-
ceive Their Commissions.
Carlisle Very Sick.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD

WAsHINaToN, January 1.-THE
following is the Presidents message
transmitting the Pacific railroad re-
ports to Congress:
To the Senate and House of Repre-
isentatives: On the third day Of
March last, an act was passed author
izing the appointment of three
commissioners who should investi-
gate the affairs OF such railroads as
have received aid from the United
States Government. Among other
things contemplated, the investiga-
tion included the history of the
construction Of the roads, their rela.
tions and Indebtedness to the Gov
ernment, and the question whether,
in the interest of the United States,
any extension of time for the per-
formance of the obligations of said
roads to the Government should be
granted and if SO, said commission
ers were directed to submit a scheme
for such extension.
AS TO THE REPORTS.
The Commissioners were furthe r
directed by said act to report in
full to the President upon all matters
submitted to them, and he was by the
act required to forward said report to
Congress with such recommendation
or comments as he should see fit to
make in the premises.
The Commissioners Immediately
after their election entered upon the
discharge of their duties and have
prosecuted their inquiries with con-
siderable industry, intelligence and
thoroughness. A large amount of
testimony has been taken and all the
facts have been developed which
appear to be necessary for the con-
sideration of these aided railroads and
their relations to the Government.
The Commissioners have, however,
been
UNBLE TO AGREE
Upon the manner in which these rail-
roads should be treated respecting
their indebtness to the United States,
or unite upon the plan best adapted
to secure payment of such indebted
ness. This disagreement has resulted
in the preparation of two reports, both
OF which are here with submitted to
Congress. These reports exhibit such
and schemes connected
with the construction of the aided
roads and their management, and
suggest the invention OF such devices
On the part of those having them in
charge for the apparent purpose of
defeating anv chance for the Govern
ment's reimbursement, that any ad-
justment or
PLAN OF SETTLEMENT
Should be p edicted upon the substan-
tial interests of the Government
rather than any forbearance of gener-
osity deserved by the company. The
wide publication which has already
been given to the substance of the
Commissioners reports obyiates the
necessity OF detailing in this commu-
nication the facts found upon investi-
cation.
The President reviews at great
ength the recommendations made in
The majority and minority reports of
the Commission, and calls attention
10 the statements in defense of the
connected with the con-
struction of the Central Pacific road
and branch lines. The President also
dwells upon the act OF 1862 granting
bonds and lands to the
Central and Union Pacific and the
passed two years later
providing that the Governments
mortgage shonld become a junior lien.
THE MESSAGE CLOSES
AS follows: "It is quite time that the
troublesome complication surrounding
this entire subject should be adjusted
and settled. No one, | think, expects
that the railroad companies will be
able to pay their immense indebted
ness to the Government at its maturi-
tys and any proceeding or arrange
ment that would result now or any
other time in putting these roads, or
any portion of them, in the possession
Or control of the Government, is, in
my opinion, to sbe rejected, GER
tainly as long as there is the least
chance for indemnifcation through
any other means. Il suppose that we
are hardly justified in indulging in the
irritation and indignation naturally
arising from the contemplation OF
to such an extent as to
lead to the useless destruction of
these roads or the loss of the ad-
vances made by the Government.
believe that our efforts should be in a
more practical direction and and
should tend with no condonation of
wrong doing to the collection by the
Government on behalf of the people |
of the public money now in jeopardy.
THE SENATE.