Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-02-04
THE HOUSE.
Important Committee Reports
Rendered Yesterday.

RENDERED heSber0uys
WASHINGTON, February 3.-The
House Committee on Pacific Railroads
entered upon the formal consideration
OF the various bills upon its calendar
to-day, and that proposed by the ma
jority of the Pacific Railroad Com
mission was read over carefully and
few verbal changes made.
The committee this morning con-
cluded to listen to any limited state
ments which representatives of the
Central and Union Pacific Companies
might care to present. Accordingly the
ERIK has been instructed to notify the
per, ons concerned that the committee
will, next week, give them an oppor-
tunity to be heard.
The House Committee was induced
to grant the hearings upon a written
request by Huntington and others and
the hearings will probably occupy
two days, Huntington appearing for
the Central Pacific Company on Fri
day and Charles Francis Adams for
the Union Pacific Company on Satur-
day.
The House Committee on War
Claims has agreed to report
favorably a bill to reimburse
the several States for the inter-
est on money expended by them
on account OF raising troors and
employees in aiding the United States
in supp'essing the late rebellion.
The House Commission on mine
and mining will report favorably the
bill for the relief of William McGar-
rahan proposing to submit to the
court, claims for adjudication of the
title of McGarrahan to the mineral
interests of the rancho Panoche Grant
in California. The tract in dispute is
now in possession of the New Alma
den Quicksilver Mining Company. A
minority report will be presented.
PROTECTION FOR sEAMEN.
Among the bills reported from COM
mittees was one amending section 3,
of the Revised Statutes, prescribing
the death penalty for wilful casting
away of a vessel on the high seas
with the intent of defrauding the
underwriters. The bill provides that
if the casting away causes no loss of
life or personal injury, the person con-
victed may be sentenced to imprison-
ment for life or for any number of
years not less than three, or to fine
not exceeding $4,000.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
Judge Charles P. Daley and Hiram
Hitchcock, of New York, ex-senator
Mcdonald, Admiral Ammen, Com
mander Taylor and Civil Engineer
Menogal, Of the navy, appeared before
the House Committee Of Commerce
in advocacy of Representative Nor
woods bill to incorporate the Mari
time Canal Company of Nicaragua.
Judge Daily made the principal ar
gument devoting his attention mainly
to the constitutional question
involved.
Anderson, of Kansas, asked if the
company would object to the inser-
ton of an amendment to the bill,
furnishing it by forfeiture of charter
for any combination with the Pacific
railroads to raise tolls.
Judge Daily did not feel authorized
to give a positive answer as he
had not consulted upon the subject
with other members OF the associa-
ton.
Hitchcock explained the formation
of the com pany.
Clardy wished to know if the stock
of the company would be held in the
United States.
Hitchcock replied that by the
terms of the concession the stock
must be offered in New York, Mica
ragua, Costa Rica and Europe, but
the incorporators who intended to Sc
cure the majority Of the stock were
Americans.
Raynor believed that a provision to
that effect should be made in tt e
bill, otherwise France, Great Britain
or Germany might come into pos
session of the canal, through a pur-
chase OF the majority OF the stock.
Clardy inquired if the incorpora-
tors. would consent to the insertion OF
a clause absolutely providing for
retention of the controlling interest
in the United States.
After consulting with Judge Dali
Hitchcock announced that they were
willing to accent such conditions.
M Al i