Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-19
SENATOR BRlCE INDIGNANT
sITAT
Citizens Of New Mexico Charge Him
With Dishonesty.
The Controversy is Over His Action
to Validate Disputed Bonds to
Build a Capitol.

An interesting personal controversy be-
tN cen Senator Brice Of Ohio and Gov.
Thornton of tie territory of New Mexico
eElivcned today's meeting of the house
committee ong territories. It grew out of
the action of Senator Brice in securing a
Senate amendment to a House bill to vail
date bonds issued by the territory for build
ing its new capitol. The Brice amendment
made the bill include bonds for $172,5O0 is
sued by the county Of Santa Fe to aid the
Santa Fe railroad and dated March l, 1892.
When the news of the Senate's action
reached New Mexico the people of Santa Fe
county held mass meeting, which was at
tended by the governor. adopted resolutions
branding the bonds as fraudulent and de-
nouncing the action of Senator Brice Copies
OF the resolution were sent to the House
and Senate committees on territories and
Delegate Catron who was called upon to
oppose the amendment.
Senator Brice Warm.
Today the House committee gave hear
ing on the bond question, which was at
tended by Gov. thornton. who had come to
Washington for the purpose. by Delegate
Catron and Senators Brice and WOlcott. AS
soon as the committee had met Senator
Brice rose. and, with considerable warmth
apparent in his manner, requested Chair
II. an Scranton to read the telegram which
he had received from New Mexico.
This the chairman did. The telegram
from the chairman Of the meeting accom-
panyiEg the resolutions stated: THAT, by
the action of Senator Brice. he has prost.-
tuted his high public Office as Senator for
his private, personal, pecuniary advantage
in most improper manner" protested
that the action of the legislative branch of
the government to overthrow the judicial
Is subversive of our theory of repub-
lican Institutions" and that 1.-The lin
debtedness was fraudulent from it's incep-
ton: the organiza ton of the railroad COM
pany which received the bonds being based
on fraud. and the people arc under no moral
obligations whatever with regard to II.
The resolution set forth THAT we have
heard with amazement and Indignation the
attempt made by Senator Brice to over
throw the decisions of the courts, and sad
die upon the county the payment of S112,
900 Of fraudulently issued bonds the prop
erty of said Brice and his associates Of
purchasers of them, to whom he is re-
sponsible."
The Governor Qualities.
Then Senator Brice made a speech, in
which he denied emphatically that his &C
ton had been dictated by other than proper
motives, and demanded of Gov. Thornton
that he make public retraction of the ac
cusation contained in the telegram and
resolutions. so far as he Uhe governor) had
been connected with them.
The governors reply was awaited with
interest He explained that he had been u
member of the meeting which adopted the
resolutions. and had voted for them, but
disclaiHej any personal intention to reflect;
on Senator Brice, and said that he would
withdraw any imputat tons of personal dis
honesty against the Senator SO far as he
was concerned.
After this incident speeches were made
IN opposition to the amendment by Gov.
Thornton. and for 1t by Senators Brice and
Wolcott.