The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-03
PACIFIC REEUNpING DEAD.
THE HOUSE RECOMMITs THE BILL
TO THE COMMITTEE.

The Vote stood IL TO IO8 aad Was n
Surprise ia the Friends and Foes
OF the Measure-The House Rejects
Proposal of Mr. Turner That the
Government Debt BE Cancelled II
the Road Pays seventy-Rve MIL
lion Dollars Within Six Months.
Washington. Feb. 2-The Pacific rail-
road refunding bill is dead After three
days discussion in the House. it was re-
committed TO the committee on Pacific
railroads, at the close Of a somewhat ex-
citing session Of over six hours to-day, by
the decisive vote OF III 10 I06. Several at
tempts were made to secure additional
time, in which to debate the bill, but they
were all objected to by friends Of the
measure. who, ike the opponents, until
the decisive vote was taken. We're Of the
opinion generally that the bill would pass
by small majority. The argument that
seemed TO be most effective in influencing
members to vote against the bill. was that
advanced by Mr.. Mcguire. dem. Of Cali
fornia, that its practical operation would
be to relieve the railroads of the entire
AMOUNT of the principal or their debt to
the government, and require them to pay
a sum equal to the interest thereon at 3
per cent, calculated for a period OF fifty
years. This argument was attacked by
Mr.. Reilly, dem. of Pennsylvania, in
charge of the bill. and Mr.. Hendrix, DEM,
of New York; who insisted that the com
panies would be obliged to pay the fun
amount of their indebtedness at the pres
ent time with per cent. interest.
Several amendments were made to the
text of the bill, but as the measure was
finally disposed of adversely their details
are without value.
After the bill had been reported to the
House from the committee of the whole,
in accordance with a special rule. unsuc-
cessfuI efforts were made by Mr.. Boatner,
dem, Of Louisiana, to get his proposed
substitute before the House for action,
asd by Mr. Neikeljohn, rep, of Nebraska,
to secure The same standing for his pro-
POSED amendment in behalf of the Sioux
City, ONein and Western railroad. Mr..
Boatner thereuDon moved to recOmnit the
bill without instructions, which, II car
r.ed, would be equivalent 10 kllllhS IL.
A point of order was made against the
motion as not being included within the
rule, but Speaker Crisp held that it was
in order. Before it was submitted, bow
ever Mr.. Turner dem. of Georgia, moved
to amend by instructing the committee
to report a bill. directing the Secretary Of
the Treasury TO accept $I5,000,Oo from the
railroads, If rendered within six months,
IN full satisfaction of the government S
claims against it, This was rejected by
a vote of 100 to 142.
The motion to rccommit was then agreed
to on a division Of the House by vote
of 15l to ST. The yeas and nays being oe-
manded, they were called with the follow
ing result: Yeas, III; nays 106 The an
nouucement Of the vote was received with
loud applause by those who had opposed
the bill.
Before proceeding to the consideration
of the refun ling bill the House passed the
Senate bill reviving the grade Of heuten-
ant general of the army for the benefit
of Maj. Gen. Schoheld, commanding the
army of the United States.
Less than fifty members were present
when the House met at II O'Clock. Tho
journal Of yesterdays proceedings. which
contained no mention Of the Breckenridge
Heard fracas, was approved.