The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-10
FUNDING BILL DEBATE.
Close of the Discussion i'm the House
Vote To BE Taken Monday.

WASHINGTON. Jan. S.-The debate in
the House OF Representatives on the Pa
ciic Railroad funding bill came to close
at o'clock this afternoon, and the final
vote on the bill and all amendments and
substitutes will be taken Monday noon on
the assembling of the House. The debate
to-day was Of that fragmentary character
incident to five-minute debate. and was
not productive of any features new or
strong. But one vote was taken. and that
on an amendment of comparatively minor
Importance by Mr.. Parker. of New Jersey,
enlarging the description of the assets COW
cred by the government lien and requiring
the assent of the secretary of the treasury
to any sales made by the roads under the
terms Of the bill. Mr.. Powers resisted the
amendment, but it was passed by a deci-
sive majority. During the day Mr.. North
way, OF Ohio offered an amendment to the
Harrison substitute providing for a nation
al commission to effect settlement, which.
on being approved by the President, shall
become operative.
Before taking I'D the funding bill the
House passed Senate bill for bridge
across Red river above Fulton, Ark.
A preliminary furry occurred over a mo-
ton by Mr. Henderson 10 reconsider the
resolution adopted at the night session OF
the House last night directing the sergeant
alarms to arrest absent members and
bring them TO the bar Of the House on
Tuesday next. 1t occasioned a sharp par
liamentary struggle, Mr.. Baker making the
point that Mr.. Henderson was not present
at the night session and had no right to
move to reconsider.
Mr. Thomas, who secured the adoption
of the resolution for the arrest OF
absent members, defended the justice
OF 1t, pointing out that absenteeism
at the Friday night session. when
private pension bills are considered. practi-
cally brought pension legislation TO a stand
still There was much confusion as Mr..
Thomas sought to read the names of all
,,aarahars ohSen. Iact nfcht Ho safd 10
wanted the country TO know just who were
responsible for this delaY of legislation.
After many objections had been made, the
speaker ruled that the names could be read
as part of Mr.. Thomas remarks and they
were accordingly read from the desk amid
loud nurmurs OF dsapproval. II disclosed
23S absent from the night session and now
subject TO arrest by the sergeant-at-arms
Mr. Grosvenor created a laugh by asking IL
the sergeant-at-arms was TO furnish trans
portation, lodging and food for his pris-
oners.
Mr. Meredith interposed the statement:
Il suggest that the gentleman (Thomas)
have his petition read TO be commissioner
of pensions under the next administration"
tleman (Mr. Meredith knows IL, returned
Mr.. Thomas. warmly
Il have heard it was in existence" per-
sisted Mr.. Meridith
VICTORY FOR ABSENTEES-
The motion to reconsider was adopted
$50 to 109. Mr.. Thomas sought 10 get a
record vote, but failed The call for yea
and nav vote was defeated-l6 TO 165
lis. the speaker counting members now
under arrest interposed Mr.. Thomas, as
a last resort.
'The speaker is not aware that any menl-
Der OF the House is under arrest re-
sponded Mr.. Reed. sharply.
No arrests have been made under the
order" added Mr.. Henderson.
.Centainly the sergeant-at-arms made
arrests last night insisted Mr.. Thomas,
and more were made to-day
The speaker said he had no lntorInaIon
OF such arrests. Thereupon. without furtncr
division. all proceedings under the order
for arrest were suspended
With this lively episode out OF the way
the Pacific Railroad funding bill was taken
up under the five-minute rule.
Mr.. Bowers. Rep, opened the opposition
in an onslaught on the management OF the
Paeific roads and the bill. He characterized
the measure as plan TO continue the
most tyrannous monopoly that mad ever
been organized II was a part or an N
famous and fraudulent transaction; an at
tempt TO proiong the grip OF the Ana
conca OF the Pacific coast
Mr.. Johnson. OF North Dakota. opposed
the bill. He made a statement OF the
enormous profits that individuals had made
| and the enormous losses the government.
| he said, had sustained.
| When Mr.. Powers. in charge Of the biz