The herald., 1895-02-03
DOOM OF THE FUNDING BILL,
ReilIy's Plan to Save Hunting.
tons Roads Defeated.
Splendid Victory tor the Opponents
of the Measure.
\ Mosioa Which Buriss the Bill Beyond
Hops of Resurrection CARRIED
by - Big Majority.

TO the committee on Pacific railroad 8
late this afternoon by a vote of III to
1903. showing an unexpectedly large ma.
jority against the measure. Although
the drift has been against the bill from
the inception OF the debate, its advo.
Gates were not without hope, even to.
day. The exter; OF their defeat was q
great surprise to both sides. The de-
bate today wac of brisk and lively
character, Ony three of the eighteen
sections OF the bill had been read when
the hour for taking the vote arrived.
But the substantial amendment Ito pre-.
vent the payment of dividends on she
stock until the government debt SHOULD
have been fully discharged) was adopted
Mr.. Boatner's substitute to foreclose
the government's mortgage in caae OF
default was cut out by parliamentary
msnsuver. So that when the voting
began in the house he moved to recon-
init the bill, motion equivalent to its
direct defeat. A proposition submitted
90 an amendment to compounds the
debt, aggregsting $3.50, 900. 900, for $751;
100000 was defeated, and. as stated
above, the bill was sent to its doom by
an overwhelming majority. The op-
ponsnts of the measure signalized the
victory with shouts of jubilation.
THE FIRST MOVE.
When the special order came up in
the house an attempt WAS made to Sc
cure an agreement to continue the gen.
eral debate on the funding bill until 2
O'Clock, but it failed, snd the measure
was read for amendment under the five
minute rule.
Bostner. Democrat, declared that
some of the eections in the bill were
faulty, and in his opinion if the COM
panies filed in their written acceptance
Of its conditions, the hands of the gov
eminent would be tied for so yesrs.
Hepburn, Republican of Iowa, con-
tested this, pointing out the language of
the stipulation and the compulsory pay
ment OF bills enjoined on the companies.
An amendment was adopted making this
debts due the United States bear per
cent interest.
Mcguire, Democrat of California,
chsllen gsd the statement of Kyle, Dem
ocrst of Mississippi, that the bill author
ICED the government to retain in the
treasury all moneys due for mail trans
pOfbbblOu anu apply tHoIA W tuc cAr
tinguiehment of the debt.
Grosvenor, Republican CT Ohio, paid
high tribute to the late Senator Stan
ford. he admitted fraud in the past,
but ho contendei il Was the duty
of the government to adjust this
debt 80 il could realize as much as pos
sible.
Mcguire denounced bitterly the method
pursued in this debate, which had pre-
cluded from participation, except under
the five minute rule, mem beers from the
Pacific coast who gave more attention to
the matter than any others. He main
tanned that TIE pending bill contained
no provision for the payment of the
debt, but it did discharge all debts and
incorporated the pirates" who had
raided the treasury for the roads during
the last 30 years. A long controversy
followed over the question whether the
bill would extend the dsbt for 30 years.
At this point an attempt Was made to
stop the debate until Monday or Tues
day.
THE GOVERNMENTS CHANCE.
The leaders on both sides agreed that
it WAS necessary to an intelligent under
standing of the bill, but Lane, Demo-
crat of Illinois objected and Lockwood.
Democrat of New York, demanded the
regular order.
Mcguire accordingly proceeded, de.
voting most of his time to a discussion
OF the alleged frauds by which he
claimed Huntington, Crocker and
Stanford and Hopkins. as directors, had
turned over 10 themselves as stock hold
ers, $62, 000, 900 in profits. The time was
at hand when these men or their estates
could be reached, and SIS, 900, 600 of
Huntington's money and $4,000, 900 of
the estate OF Leland Stanford could be
secured. Fifteen millions Of the estate
of Stanford were now tied up to satisfy
q statutory obligation. The main OBJ
jsct of this bill was to release the
property by an operating law.
Weadock, Democrat of Michigan, in
reply, reiterated an assertion that the
bill will reserve all rights and remedies
against the "big four" The bill he
said, presented a reasonable and BUSH
2ess.like method for the collection of
tbe debt due from the roads.
Terry, Democrat, of Arkansas, OF"
fered an amendment requiring the
holders Of the first mortgage bonds to
waive their priority in favor OF the
United Statea when the companies
made provision for the payment OF first
bonds as required before the companies
shall have the benefit of the bet.
Lacey offered an amendment to that
OF Terry requiring the written consent
OF the holders of the fret mortgage
bonds to the conditions imposed by the
government. The amendments of Ter
~ and Lacey were lost.
FAITH OF CALIFORNIA CHALLENGED.
Mcguire, Democrat. OF California, pre-
Bented to the house the concurrent reso-
luton protesting against the passage OF
OF the funding bill adopted by the
California legislature.
Hepburn, Republican OF Iowa, chal-
lenged the good faith of the California
people. In support of his statement he
produced a telegram sent by Mayor
Sutro to the president which said that
history would record Mr.. Cleveland as
the great benefactor Of the human race
II he would send special message to
congress recommending the foreclosure
OF the Pacific railways mortgages. The
telegram added that the government
ought not to operate those roads but
should hold them as a great national
highway on which all American roads
could run trains. The Pacific coast,
Hepburn commended, opposed the bill IN
Its own selfish interest.