The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-06-16
Fifteen MILLIONS
Stanford's Estate Sued for This
Amount by the Government.
TEXT OF THE GREAT CLAIM
How tho Interest In the Big University
ut PalO Alto May BE Involved
in Lawsuit.

WASHINGTON, June 1O.-Mrs. Leland
Stanford has received service of notice
on behalf of the government that the
estate of her husband will be held
liable for Pacific railroad obligations.
Service of this notice has been trans
mitted to the department of justice by
the United States district attorney at
San Francisco. The ten days allowed
BY the California legislature within
which Mrs. Stanford might admit the
debt, and thus avoid litigation, expired
Friday. 1t is of course expected that
this admission will not be made. Sat-
urday, was, therefore, the first day on
which the government could make ap-
plication to the superior court of San
Francisco to have the claim of the
United States made superior to all
other claims except funeral expenses
aud those incidental to the last illness
of deceased. The California law gives
preferences, and those interested in
the prosecution expect that move as
next in order by the attorney general.
There is no limit within which the
attorney general must act. He might
delay until all other claims have been
passed on. This will cover the next
ten months, but it is he belief of the
members of the California delegation
to congress that the attorney general
will apply very soon. 1t is said there
would be advantages in this, as it would
keep the Stanford estate from being
depleted by the compromises and pay
ment of private claims.
The claim for SIS 200, 900 filed by the
government of the United States
against the vast estates of the
late Senator Leland Stanford, has
stirred up all sorts of questions, con-
lectures and surmises. The only sur
mice that did not put in an appearance
was the one that Mrs. Stanford would
pay the measley little 5000, 900 over
to the government and let 1t 60 at that.
That the claim some what worried the
attorneys for the estate is eviden Led
by the fact that they asked to have its
presentation kept a secret. Their
wishes were respected in order that
the financial operations of the estate
need not be necessarily embarrassed,
but as matter of fact that claim was
presented on May 26th, just one day
ahead of the time when all claims
would have been debarred.
The suit will be tried before one of
the sur erior court judges of San Fran.
cisco. the presiding judge assigning the
case. In this the claim for SIS, 600, 900
made by the United States will in no
whit vary In Its procedure from the
claim of John Smith for 81 800. Nor
would Senator Stanford's deed of trust,
under which the STAFFORD university
was founded, stand for moment In
case The United States should recover
damages, and there should not be
enough In the estate outside of that
trust to satisfy the judgment.
Beyond this the university might be
affected In another way. Senator Stan
ford's estate was appraised at about
SIT 600 900, apart from the property
decided to the university. His will be-
queathed g., 500, 900 to the university
apart from the endowment. Since his
death claims have been paid, which
have eaten into that $4,000, 900 quite
So on the appraised value
a Judgment for SIS, 100000 would wipe
out the residue of the estate and leave
the university without its 81 SOC, 10000,
and other legatees would lose similar
sum.
There are plenty of reasonably intel
ligent people, however, who insist that
If that estate were correctly appraised
1t would be shown to be worth over
$40 200, 600 instead Of 81, GOO. 900, which
would make the university safe and
sure In any event, though recently
there have been many indications there
that ready money was hard to get, even
by Mrs. Stanford.
The way in which the university
might be most affected, however, would
be In relation to Mrs. Stanford's inten-
lions toward the Institution. 1t has
been generally understood that practi.
cally all Of her fortune will eventually
20 to the university. If such is to be
the case, and the United States should
take SIS, OOO,O 900 of that property the
university would have to worry along
without that 81, OOO, 600.
StaofOrdo Name Reviletl.
WASHINGTON, June l2.-Before the |
house committee on Pacific railroads
YESTERDAY Representative Geary argued
strongly that the act creating the Cen.
Lral Pacific road contemplated the gov
srnment taking possession If there was
default In payment. Heretofore the
company has never been In a position
% proceed against dishonest directors,
,ut II the government took possession
t might reach back to 1862 and re-