The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-03
STANFORD MONEY,
instructions Received Here to
Push the Governments
Claim.
Mrs. Stanford Has Not Filed Her
Pleadings in Answer to the
Complaint.

| L. D. MeKisick, special counsel en-
pIoyed by the Attorney-General of the
United States to prosecute the suit against
the estate of Leland Stanford for the re-
covery of about SIS, 0O0, 900, received his in
structions yesterday to hurry up the hear
ing of the case. He lost no time in calling
upon United States District Attorney
Foote as soon as he received his orders,
but in the circumstances nothing can be
done in the matter, as Mrs. Stanford s
attorneys have not filed an answer to the
complaint.
Mrs. Leland Stanford was in Washing
ton last Wednesday, and she called upon
the Attorney-General. She was particu-
larly anxious to have the suit against her
husbands estate expedited as rapidly as
possible. On account of the bonds issued
by the Government to the Central Pacific
Railroad Company and the accrued inter
est there will soon be due the United
States about $50, 600 900.
Und er the laws of this State each indi-
vidual shareholder is responsible for his
portion, and as the late Senator Stanford
was one of the original four who bonded
the road his estate is liable for one-fourth
of the debt. When Charles Crocker died
been distributed no action can be taken
against his heirs.
When Stanford died, the Government,
| fearing a repetition of the Croker Incl
| dent, appointed a special attorney, and
| when the claim against the estate was dis
allowed by the executors suit was at once
| begun in the United States Circuit Court
| to recover the amount in question. Since
| that time the Stanford estate has heen tied
up and ready money has been very hard to
procure.
In consequence, Mrs. Stanford, when in
Washington, called upon Attorney-General
| Olney and asked that the suit be pushed
rapidly TO conclusion, in order that she
might know Just where she stood.
Special Counsel McKisick was very
much surprised when he received his in
structions yesterday. While 10th to dis
cuss the question at issue, still he could not
refuse to give the facts in the case. The
suit against the Stanford estate was filed
on the 10th of March last, and, in spite of
| the time that has elapsed, the widow has
not filed any pleadings in the case. That
being the case, the Government could take
| no further step in the matter until the call
ing OF the calendar this month. If no
pleadings are filed by that time, then, on
the next calling of the calendar, motion
will be made to have the suit go by default.
Mrs. Stanford is trying to put the blame
on the United States" said District Attor-
| ney Foote, yesterday, "but it will not do.
The cause of the delay is due entirely to
her or her attorneys. The subpoena was
| served on Mrs Stanford and the executors
OF the estate about March Is last. They
have had ample time since then to file
their pleadings, but have failed to do SO.
In consequence, the Government could
take no action until the first rule day in
this month. McKisIck received his in
| structlons from Attorney General Olney,
put In the circumstances he can do moth
| ing until rule day. The onus of the delay
rests upon Mrs. Stanford and her counsel,
and we Will have to await their pleasure
las usual the June rule day will be held
| in chambers, and if no pleadings have
| been filed in the meantime the special
counsel will ask TO have the case go by de-
fault. Mr.. McKisick is ready and willing
| to press the suit, but, as you see, he can
do nothing toward hurrying matters until
Mrs. Stanford has filed her pleadings"
Russell j. Wilson, senior counsel for the
Stanford estate, only returned from trip
to Palo Alto last evening. He refused to
discuss the situation, as he was in a hurry
to get to dinner party with his wife.
Mountford S. Wilson was also in a hurry
to keep an engagement, and all that could
be got out of him was that the centre
matter is in the course of settlement, and
you will know all about it in due course"
The question among Federal court officials
now is, why did Mrs. Stanford call upon
Acknowledgement Olney and make a COM
plant that is without foundation?"
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