New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-31
SHERMAN POINTS THE WAY.
from First Page.

Continued from First Page.
gress in its legislation regarding the bonded IN
debtedness OF the United States NO actlon was
taken on the bill reported in the XLlHth congress.
and in the Lth Congress another bill was reported
TO the House which also failed TO be subject OF
action. In the same Congress resolution was
passed providing for thorough investigation OF the
whole subject by a commission to be appointed u!
the President. The commission was appoih'eo' anu
after an investigation. which lasted many Hoh'i',
the majority submitted n report based upon ana
supported by an enormous mass OF testimony. Ing
conclusions of the majority of the commission were
accepted by the Senate Committee on racine na''
roads as well as by the House Committee ana DIS
were framed and introduced in the LIST Cois'.ss
designed 10 provide for just settlement WIN "e
railroad companies. but no legislation resui'eu'
In the present Congress the subject was asa''
taken in hand by the Committee on faci'i0 i'"
roads OF the House. which, after pa,'e"' M 49,,
CATION reported bill at the last session 'o' Y..
a. 1890 providing that the railroad companies ai'e'
extinguishng all prior liens. should nave me- "
doh,sdpess n the United States extended for
De iod OF fifty years at the rate OF per 0e''' -.
annum. Suitable provision was also flaue A ,
accumulation OF sinking funds which "o
sufi cient TO extinguish the new bonus al Va" 90
Of maturity and for foreclosure proceedings III case
such action should become necessary e'c' roul Vi
the fifteen members of the committee refused 10
agree with the majority and suo"h'''u 'ie"S .N
opposition to its report. or these' tWo Dei"oOi"'
and one Republican, held that the security pro
posed for the payment of the debts o"ea 10 'hc
Government was insufficient and that legal pro-
cea1ings should Immediately be begun against the
officers directors and stockholders OF the respec-
tive companies TO recover askets or the roads wio"
II is alleged have been Illegally ana wrohe'u"'
converted and conveyed for their individual bene-
N The other member-Mr Harris, of Kansas VINO
is a Popuist-agreed in part with the other three
members Of the minority. but contended that the
Government should take possession OF ana operate
the roads. The views of the minority are iouhoeu
upon the dissenting report of one OF the members
of the Commission appointed by President CieVe
,ond In 1887. a report which, as has since been
shown was not borne out or supported by the
testimony taken by the Commission The Dill anu
report and the views OF the minority nave Deem III
the nossession OF the House of Representatives
for more than six months, so that every MEMBER
OF that body who so desired or who ieit any III.
tarsst in the subject has had full opportunity and
ample time to study the provisions OF the penang
measure and reach conclusion in regard 10 them
when the special order reported to-day. how
ever providing that. after seven hours OF general
debate and an hour and half Of debate under the
6ve-minute rule. with opportunity to oner ana as
cuss amendments. 'ote shouid De tahen vi u'e
bill and on any amendments that might theh oe
nending there was an immediate and loud cutlery
from the opponents of the measure Loud was the
clamor of the Popust Representatives ana DINERS
who want the Government TO seize and operate the
roads at a loss for the benefit OF portion Oh the
people Of the United States. and louder sun was
the camor Of the men who are opposed 10 'he OH
on other grounds. In the thirty minutes allowed
for debate before the vote on the motion lor the
preyious question Of which one-half was occupied
by men opposed TO the motion, five violent speeches.
were delivered the burden OF all Of which was that
the time proposed for debate ana consul
Grafton was too short. Mr.. Boatner' OF
Louisiana who led the minority. protested against
the adoption of an order allowing short and IN
adequate a time for the consideration OF measure
OF such vast importarce-a measure which, ne as
serted only few members of the House under
stood or had studied. Other opponents OF the Dill
Chairman Reilly and Mr.. Kyle, of the Pacin n
Railroad Committee. replied in temperate speeches
They said that the measure was one OF great I'm,
% nd that n Both fS OF eS
with much emphasis that unless the mater shouiu
The committee had made conscientious and pains
taking effort to frame legislation which would Won i Iuis
chance for the companies TO pay their %
SUCH alone II ought to be discussed considered and
acted upon THE case" said Mr. Kyle. rs ms;
COMPANIES, and we want to have settled and the
debt paid The bill provides for this and p 10, Ing
rascals who are guilty be PROSECUTED ana az
now to provide for the payment Of the dePf d Se
from the companies TO the United states rn
enough would be realized from the sale to pay the
Mr. Catchlngs, who closed the debate in favor of
the motion for t the preSSs s OSs snme
members of the House who desired to throw upon
the Government the burden Of operating the roahs
for the benefit of the people OF the Pachc states.
who anxious TO obtain lower rates on the
transportation Of freight. The scheme was chi
mercal one. and the people Of the United states
would never saddle such burden upon the Ma
tional Treasury.
on a division the demand for the previous oues-
ton sustained by vote Of l26 TO lO4. Econo-
mist" Holman, who whenever any proposition re-
lating the Pacific railroads Is brought before
the House. always flies into a temper and RACES ike
a mad bull, demanded the yeas and nays which
ordered. The motion was adopted by a ma
jority Of eleven votes. Mr. Boaner then wanted to
move 20 recommt the report OF the Committee on
Rules. This raised nice parliamentary question.
and placed the Speaker pro tenn In an unpleasant
predicament. Speaker Crisp has decided both ways
on the question as 20 whether such motion Is In
order. ruling that II in one case when made by
Democrat and In another ruling that II was
not (when the motion made by a Republican,:
The Speaker pro tenn probably realized to-day that II
he should rule the motion out Of order his decision
would be overruled by the House On an appeal Mr..
Reed however generously came to his relief with
suggestion that unanimous consent should be asked
modify the order so as TO postpone the final
vote until 4:30 p. m. Saturday, thus giving one
more day for the consideration Of the bill. and by
unanimous consent the special order was 80 modi-
fed.
CFor debate in the House. see page H.