Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-02-23
s1,aoo,oo0 FOR HUNTINGTON.
House Passes the General Deficiency
Bill. Including the Southern
Pncjfic Claim Item.

Washington Feb. 22.-The house to-day
passed the general deficiency appropriation
bill and began the consideration of the
last OF the money bills, that providing for
the naval establishment. A long debate
occurred over the propriety of the appro-
ciiic railroad under the Judgment of the
court OF claims, but the house, by vote
of 102 TO 13S, refused to strike II out. The
members who favored the appropriation for
the payment to members of the last con-
Sress of salaries withheld from them on
account of absence carried their fignt INTO
the house. but they were beaten, So to ~.
Sixteen of the forty-eight pages of the na-
val bill were completed. The attempt OF
Mr.. Grosvenor; Republican of Ohio, TO Sc
cure an amendment to retain session em-
ployeS on the roll after March TO March
-, when the extra session would begin,
drew from him. when pressed as TO wheth-
ira session. the good-natured admission
that he was authorized to assume that
there would be an extra session.
MIR. Sayers, in support of his Southern
Pacific amendment, said that for ten years
congress had resisted the payment of this
claim. 1t had been fought over and over
again and always had resulted in favor of
the government. The validity of the iudg-
ment was admitted. But inasmuch as the
stockholders and directors of the South
ern Pacific were largely the same
and as the Central was insolvent,
and largely indebted to the government,
he contended that congress would he dere-
lict in its duty if it paid to this Southern
Pacific corporation which was practically
indentical with The other the SlSi9'ooo'
Mr.. Northway, Republican, of Ohio, said
that he favored the payment of this claim
Of the Southern Pacific. The ,, ! road bound bound
its duty and We're We're in honor bound to
discharge our. part of the contract. IL we
Withheld this money, we might as well re
when they fell due.
Mr.. Dockery, Democrat, of Missouri sup
porting the motion to strike out this ap-
preparation, recounted the alleged manner
in which the traffic of the Central was di-
yerted to the Southern by &c. p Hunting.
ton and Others" In conclusion, he said
that il was bur fair that this money be
withheld until c. z. Huntington had effect
ed a settlement of the $60,eoOOOO which his
other corporation owed the government.
Mr. Grosvenor, Republican of Pennsyl-
vania, advocated the payment of the claim
and paid C. p. Huntington high tribute
for his genius and enterprise.
Mr. Mcguire, Democrat, of California,
vigorously attacked the claim. The South
ern Pacific was organized and had existed
he declared, as conspiracy against the
government. 1t had been largely success
full. If it was recognized as corporation
tral its triumph would be complete.
After some further remarks, Mr.. Blue
Republican. of Kansas; Mr.. Hepburn, Re-
publican. of Iowa, and Mr.. Bingham, Re-
pubIican' of PENNSYLVANIA, spoke in favor of
appropriation, and Mr.. Bowers. Republic
an of California. Mr.. Sayers closed the de-
attention 20 the fact that the Fifty-first
house. after a protracted discussion on
this very item, rejected it overwhelming
-ly but seven members voting for it.
MFR. Cannon then made closing appeal
for the appropriation. after which the vote
was taken on Mr.. Sayers' motion to strike
it from the bill.
An amendment was adopted to pay Alexis
Benoit who contested Mr.. Boatner's seat,
81 600 for expenses of his contest.
The speaker laid before the house two
pension yetOeS, which were referred.
The house then entered upon the consid
Grafton of the naval appropriation bill.
The conference report on the bill appro-
priating S250.090 for closing the Crevasse at
Pass l. ,Outre on the Mississippi, was
agreed to.
At $40 p. m. the house adjourned.