The record-union., 1895-03-02
THE SENATE DISCUSSES THE PACIFIC
RAILROADS DEBTS.
Debate Over tie Bill to Pay the Claims
of Great Britain for the Seizure of
Vessels In Behring Sea-The Days
Proceedings in the House Passes
Without q sensational Incident.
Special to the REcoRD-Ux1oN.

ceual9 LnlS morning. lDe mOIlOn lOr COLI
firmation was made by Senator Faulk-
ner, to whom the privilege was conceded
on account of the fact that he represents
Wilson's State in the Senate.
Immediately after the Wilson nomina-
tion was disposed of the contested nomi-
nation of a. d. Lindsey to be Postmaster
at Sioux Falls, S. D., was taken up. This
matter being at the head Of the Legislative
calendar has prevented all other execu-
tive business for several days past. AT
the conclusion OF Senator Kyle's speech a
vote was taken, and Lindsley's nomina-
ton was rejected-l3 to Al.
The demonstrations in the Senate cham
Der last night left traces on the proceed
ings to-day. The Senators in groups dis
cussed the dramatic scenes of the night.
The three chief figures in last nights
contlict-Chandler, Hill and Martin
were early in their seats.
Several of the veterans of the Demo-
cratic leaders-Harris, German and 9TH
erS-cOuferred as to what could be done
without jeOpardiZing the passage of the
appropriation OllIS.
On the surface the Senate business pro-
ceeded with the usual serenity. The land
bill, providing for the extension until
January Is, 1897, of the time within which
entries might be made on certain lands,
was discussed at length and passed.
Morgan, Chairman OF the Committee
on Foreign Relations and one of the
United States members OF the Behring
Sea Commission, offered a resolution
concerning payments for Behring Sea
seizures. He directed the reference to
the Foreign Relations Committee of the
Presidents message concerning the seiz-
ures and an investigation of the subject
during recess.
Morgan said the inquiry was most de-
sirable for the vinuiCation OF the United
States.
Turpie objected TO the immediate con-
sideration OF the resolution and it went
over.
Manderson's resolution was agreed to
for Committee OF Inquiry as to the ad-
visibility OF a joint committee of the two
houses on neurology, 10 do away with
eulugies on deceased Senators and MEM
bers, and providing for memorial vol
um6s OF the dead.
At Il:40 o'clock the Senate went into
executive session.
At , o'clock the executive session
ended, and the doors were again thrown
open. When the item of clerks for Sena-
tors and members was reached, Mander-
son made something Of a stir by Offering
an amendment that no wife or child OF
any Senator or member shall be named
rs a clerk to q committee or TO a Senator
or member.
Gray's motion to table the amendment
prevailed.
Buffers amendment, appropriating
Sl,O0OOO0 for French spOliation claims,
and for claims under the Bowman Act
was agreed TO.
Buffers amendment had been attached
to another amendment appropriating
Sl,9O9, sos III favor of the Southern Pacific
Railroad, and this brought on a hot de-
bate as TO the railroad claim.
Sherman said IL was improper to add
this railroad claim, as ii was question
whether the United States owed the
Southern Pacific or vice versa
Frye saiu the Southern Pacific did not
owe the Government dollar.
Sherman insisted that this was an open
question, and That the Southern Pacific
was responsible Tor losses which the
Central Pacific had caused tho United
States.
Palmer opposed the singing out of
these claims for payment. IN time there
should he an overhauling OF all claims,
but the Southern Pacific should not be
preferred now.
Petugrew made a savage onslaught on
the railroad claims. He said the Central
Pacific and the Southern Pacific were
one and the same road. The officers of
the former had wrecked the property and
then had organized the Southern Pacific,
The Obligations OF the Central Pacific TO
the Government would become due. and
then there would be an opportunity to
recover from the Southern Pacific.
White lDem.) of California urged a
postponement Of the appropriation until
a general settlement with the Pacific
Roads was secured.
Brice said Senators should not make
statements 10 create public apprehension
He explained the details OF the Southern
baga1t1 sgfaF a Of fA EsF,F F-ol Tl,.,
lZation. The former was an unremuner-
alive properly, paying 10 dividends and
with an empty treasury. This was a
judgment rendered in court OF last re-
sort, drawing four per cent. interest, and
would SO remain until paid. The senator
corrected several statements that mad
been made as TO the connections between
the various roads their fortunes, etc.
W hIte remarked that this was one OF
the cases in which the railroads were in
solvent and those who conducted them
were otherwise.
After a lengthy debate the Southern Pa
clhc amendment and the French spoIia-
ton amendments were both adopted
ayes -, noes p.
An amendment was adopted appropri-
atlng $4,000 for an Arbitration Commits
sion with Great Britain TO adjust the
claims growing out OF the Behriug Sea
seizures. a letter from Secretary Iires-
ham urged the necessity OF the appro-
priatioa.
Sherman reviewed the circumstances
OF the Bebring Sea seizures. The Paris
court of arbitration has held the United
States liable, but did not hx the amount.
The President has urged p settlement for
S42o,uOo but Congress has been derelict in
not acting. sherman declared that the
action OF Congress has been inexcusabIe
ana unwlSe. First. there was the Paris
arbitration, and now came second arbi-
tratioh. 1t is my prophecy" said Sher-
man, that 1t Will be shown that the
United States has not acted properIv or
wisely IN not closing this subject The
new arbitration Will ultimately cost tins
Government more than the settlement
recommended by the President. The re-
Iusal OF the United States TO carry out
the executive agreement on the Paris ar
bitration Will DO more to weaken the
cause OF arbitration than anything in re-
cent years"
sherman offered an amendment appro-
prlaung $4,000 10 pay tile claims i'm ac-
cordance with the Presidents recon-
mendaIion.
Morgan, one OF the United States ar
bltrators ut Paris, vigorously opposed
the sherman amendment 10 lump sums
IN settlement. 'It is a proposition Il
lump OIL the honor and integrity of the
United States said he. 1T is the same
proposition as that made by the Presi-
Qent, ana IL was properly rejected by the
House OF Representatives as dishonorablf