Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-04-09
CATRON FOILED AGAIN.
Even the Lower House Of Congress
Finds Something Fishy In the
Brice-C Oler Bond Deal.

Washington April 6.-The bill to au-
thorize the issue of bonds by New Mex
leo to rebuild the burned capital at San
ia Fe, to which had been attached amend
ments to validate certain other railroad
bonds, amounting in all to nearly $780,
600, was brought up for consideration in
the house to-day, and leave asked to pass
it under a suspension of the rules. The
proposition was defeated after debate
in which some insinnations were made
that the matter oughtto be further in
vestigated, and that unfair advantage was
being taken.
Mr.. Owens, of Kentucky, from the CON-
mittee on territories, argued in favor of
the bills passage, stating that there was
no question that the bonds represented
legal obligation of the people of the ter
ritory and innocent holders who had
bought them at par, and in maLy in
stances above par. ought not to be al
lowed to suffer.
Congressman Cooper, of Texas, said
that he was very much surprised by the
attempt to rush the bill through. He had,
he said, been making Investigations, and
had given notice that probably q minor
ity report would DO presented. Gov.
Thor nton and other prominent citizens
were aggressively opposed to the valida-
tion of these bonds, which, they alleged,
were fraudulent, and further inquiry
ought to be had before action was taken.
If there was no good ground for refusing
to validate the bonds, it was surprising,
he thought, that Delegate Catron did not
advocate the action.
A number Of inquiries we're made by
members of Mr.. Cooper and Mr.. Owens,
with the result that sufficient suspicion
of the righteousness of the committee
recommendation was aroused to defeat
the proposition to pass the bill under
suspension of the rules by an almost two
to one vote.
cooPEE's GOOD FIGHT.
/ Another press dispatch from Washing.
ton of the 9th instant says:
Representative Cooper, of Texas, sc.
cured a personal victory to-day, when as
the only member from the committee on
territories, he succeeded la having the
house refuse to pass the act validating
the New Mexican railroad bonds, over
which there has been go much disturb
ance. An effort was made to suspend the
rules and pass the bill in the house this
afternoon, and it seemed for awhile there
would be no objection. Mr.. Cooper was
the only man on the floor who raised any
hjection, and WAS finally compelled tc
make speech against the bill. The
speech was 80 effectual as to completely
change the minds of the house and TO pm,
an end to the measure"
STATUS OF THE BILL.
The above reported action now sends
the bond approval bill to special con
ference committee composed of thre,
memb from each house. The presen,
status of the bill therefore is this: Tn,
original bond approval bill has passed
the house and the senate, but in the latter
body the Brice amendment was added
Then it went to the house again and wa,
referred to the house committee ON terri
tories where Delegate Catron tackled OF
the Coler bond amendment. Upon being
reported to the house both Of these amend
ments were rejected. Now is the critica
time, for in conference the bond schemert
may get favorable action. Many propert,
owners who are unwilling to sit IDLY b.
aud see Santa Fe and Grant COUNTIES
robbed, this morning sent congratula
tory dispatch to Congressman Cooper
and urged him to work for the origina
bill, but to use his best efforts to kill the
Brice-C oler-Catron amendment.
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