The herald., 1895-02-24
ReiIIy's Report Indorsing the
New Railroad Bill
HUNTINGTON ON THE GROUND
California Representatives Find Many
Flaws in the Measure
Why the Southern Pacific Company Is so
Persistent in Its Fight-No Action
Is Likely this Session

Chicago, Feb. 23.-A Times special
from Washington says: The action of the
House committee on Pacific roads in
agreeing to a new bill does not by any
means indicate that in the coming
crowded week an additional two days will
be devoted to this subject, upon which
the sense of the House has already been
SO well tested. Chairman Reilly himself,
although anxious for some legislative ac-
ton at this session, and willing to make
any reasonable compromise, does not be-
lieve that there is any prospect for the
further discussion of the matter in the
time. If the time should be allowed
there is no hope for the passage of legisla-
ton of this kind through the Senate,
where there are enough opponents to any
Pacific railroad legislation to tilibuster
until the end of the session. 1t is true
elat the amended Reilly bill, as proposed
by the committee at its meeting yester-
day, is much more favorable to the Gov
ernment than any proposition yet de-
vised. 1t would pay into the treasury inn
mediately the full amount of the princi-
pal of the Pacific Railroad Government
bonds, and would give security for the
payment of interest at the end of fifty
years. 1t has the support of Mr.. Boatner,
who lead the opposition to the Reilly
bill. 1t will, however be vigorously op-
posed by the California members, who,
probably, more than any other members
of Congress, have this Pacific Railroad
most at heart Representative Mcguire of
California said that his chief objection to
the bill was that it was merely a scheme
to postpone action on the part of the Gov
ernment against the Pacific railroads for
one year.
S''I do not believe that the roads have
any intention of agreeing to the provi-
sions of the Reilly bill, but they are only
willing that it should be passed in order
to enjoy the benefits arising from that
section OF the bill which gives them a
year for the consideration of the PROPOSE
tion. At the end of this years time they
have only to say that they have concluded
not to accept the provisions of the new
act, when the situation lapses back to
what it is today"
Representative Caminetti of California
advances another serious objection to the
passage of the new bill at this time. He
said:
During the tendency OF the Govern
ment's CLAIM against the Leland Stanford
estate, it would not be proper for Congress
to postpone for year all Government ac-
tion in this matter. The claim against
the Sta ni ord estate needs to be prosecuted
at once if it is to be available or worthy
of cunsitH Grafton at all. For the Govern
rnent to- say that it shall remain unset
tied for "A year, will not only be gross
injustice to the tied-up estate, but also
will serid 'usly injure the Government s
claim agai nst it under the California law
/ believe that this effort to obtain the
second coz nsideraton of the question in
the House. when it is known that there is
no hope ,of legislation in the Senate n
the subiec t., is merely an effort to get
remission of the first positive and over
whelming judgment Congress ever en-
tered against those gigantic frauds. -
Chairman Reilly said he had made
formal request of the committee on rules
for day next week, but he feared that
unless it could be shown. that it is the
sense of the House upon the subject this
request would be refused. c. P. Hunting
ton, the Pacific Railroad magnate, who has
for four days been in the city, is quoted
as having expressed his sentiments as fol-
lows:
II am not here to propose any particu-
lar bill. have become so sick of trying
to show Congress the best way out of the
difficulty, that have now concluded to
let Congress settle the bill itself. l am
only here to urge that you do something.
This thing has been neglected now far too
long. 1t gets worse every year. The longer
you delay the worse muddle the thing will
be in. You must do something and that
at once. There is no time better than at
the close of the short session, for then all
useless bugaboo debate is cut off and the
thing is done in businesslike manner.
That is what want, businesslike man.
ner."