The San Francisco call., 1897-07-16
Failure of an Attempt to
Reconsider the San
Pedro Matter.
The Statesman From Nevada
Declared to Be Interested
in the Southern Pacific.
Warm Language That Has Caused a
Stir In the California Colony at
Washington.

atorS White OF California and Stewart OF
Nevada had lively verbal set-to N the
Senate to-day, and the "Alkali Senator
las White terms him) came out second
best. 1t is the talk of the California col.
ony in Washington tonight.
Yesterday Senator White was informed
that Senator Stewart would to-day move
to reconsider the San Pedro harbor -eso-
luton which was passed by the Senate on
Tuesday. Senator White gave the Ne
vada Senator to understand yesterday in
polite but unmistakable language that if
he made such an attempt he (White)
would show him up as a hireling of the
Southern Pacific Railroad.
Notwithstanding Senator Whites threat
Stewart this morning made his motion in
the Senate. He said:
"It seems to me that the Secretary of
War is right as to the law. This appro-
priation was made for harbor which, of
course, would include b:eakwater, and
every one would suppose that So, 900, 900
was about the amount that would make a
harbor at that point. 1t now turns out
that it is going to make harbor cost
So, 900, 000 and that the breakwater itself,
in making harbor suitable for use, may
cost more than the 81, 800, 900 appropriated
If it is the law now Congress has no right
to instruct him as TO his duty. Ii IL is the
law then this resolution is unauthorized
and improper. fit is not the law ii can
not be made the law by a concurrent Ieso-
luton.
Senator White replied: at is untrue
that harbor for commerce was not pro-
vided for by the Walker board. 1t is ex-
pressly stated in the report made by that
board that when the construction of this
breakwater is accom- plished there will be a
harbor for commerce and for refuge. But
Admiral Walker and his colleagues call
attention to the fact that there is in the
neigh borhood of the 5reakwater designed
what is known the inner harbor of San
Pedro, which for future developments
affords capabilities OF most inviting
character, The report shows that the
piers can be extended from the shore
toward The breakwater similar TO the plan
proposed for Santa Monica. There Is no
foundation at ali for the statement of the
Senator from Nevada that no harbor for
commercial purposes will result from this
expenditure.
again the Secretary of War has asked
for instructions. He seeks Congressional
interpre etation of the act in question. He
is not re presented, l am convinced, by the
of my purpose to state what may have
been told the member of Congress repre-
senting the district where San Pedro is
located, the Secretary certainly has not
been heard from in protest against the
resolution, and he Will not, l think. be
heard in protest against it. But the South
ern Pacific Railroad of Kentucky is inter-
tod IN Oft nd
and if the Senator from Nevada repre-
sents any body on this floor he represents
the sentiments of that corporation"
Stewart do not know by what author
ity that remark is made. | represent the
State of Nevada. l am its Senator here,
and have right to speak just as much
as those have who represent the terminal
railroads. There is a contest between the
terminal railroads down there, local in
terests with which we have nothing to do,
and 10 not propose to drag that in. The
only question that we have before us Is
the question whether we will instruct an
executive officer by a concurrent resolu-
tion or pass a law to protect him in the
act.
White-He does not need protection.
As to any terminal railroad being con-
cerned | do not represent any railroad.
I represent the people of the State of Cali
fornia and | have behind me that people
and have behind me my colleagues, and
have behind me the Congressional dele
CATION. We speak for California without
the aid of the Senator from Nevada. 1t is
rather singular that whenever questions
affecting the Southern Pacific Railroad
come up, such as the issne before us, the
proposed appro priation OF money for the
benefit of that company, which was at
tenn pied here the other day. and what is
known as the California mineral lands
bill, the Senator from Nevada steps
in and attempts to do the duty of
the Senators from California. inferences
can be deducted, and only one inference
can be reasonably deducted, and that is
that he does not represent any constit-
uency whatever in these affairs. The
people OF Nevada have no interest in the
pending mouon. They do not touch tho
seashore But the Senator from Nevada
is always alert wien propositions such as
those | have mentioned are advanced. He
has come here TO interfere III topic con-
corning which practically every Demo-
crat and every Republican and every
Populist in my State is united and which
is not antagonized by the officer involved.
The Senator from Nevada represents him.
self"
Stewart-Mr. President, I resent the
criticism of the Senator from California.
| re present the people of Nevada as a
Senator here, and do not allow private
interests to affect my vote or my actions.
can do right Notwithstanding the South
ern Pacific or any body connected with it.
do not oppose everything that comes up
that may benefit the Southern Pacific or
the Northern Pacific or the people at
large simply because it is that. l did not
oppose Just claim of the Southern Pacific
Railroad because 1 didn't like Mr.. Hunt
inglon. l do not hold up any corpora
tion or any man whom | hate as red
flag against proper legislation or to OBJ
tain improper legislation. l say this
kind of legislation is improper because it
is not manly and straightforward and be-
cause it attempts to obtain money with
out obtaining .he passage of law.
"If you want to appropriate Sc. 600, 900
you have no right 10 induce the Secretary
of War to violate his oath by crying out
Pacific railrod.' The Senator attacked
me personally. Show ne where l have
ever advocated an unclean thing in the
Senate during the time have been here
for The Southern Pacific Railroad or any,
one else. Those who have served with me
can bear me witness. When 1 do that
then it will be time for the Senator to
bring in his pre- JUDGES against Mr.. Hunt
ington or somebody else to influence
legislation"
Senator Perkins supported his COL
\ l., 1f ii.