Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-10
THE FEDERAL HOUSE.
PACIFIC RAILROAD REFUNDING
BILL REPORTED.
DEBATE UNDER FIVE EIEUTE RULE.
Many Members spcak-Dfscusston
Quite Intcrcsting Government
Ownership suggested-Votes Saved
to Certain representatives.
spcak-Dfscussion

WASHINGTON. January s.-The text
OF the bill TO refund the indebtedness OF
the Union and Central Pacific railroads
to the United States was perfected to-
day. so far as the committee Of the whole
House was concerned. and the measure
with certain pending amendments, report
ed 10 the House at ) o'clock. after
three-days parliamentary battle. and a
vote on its passage will be taken Monday
In the course OF the debate. which to-
day was conducted under the five-minute
rule, Mr.. Bell. Of Texas. proposed sub
stitute for the committees bill. fixing the
rate Of interest on the extended debt at
per cent. per annum, instead Of 2, as
the committee propose. Mr.. Harrison, OF
Alabama also submitted a substitute,
constituting the Secretaries Of the Trea-
sury and the Interior and the Attorney
General committee 10 settle the debt,
with the approval Of the President. To
this Mr. Northway, Of Ohio, presented an
amendment making the committee consist
Of three persons-one 10 be appointed by
each Of the officials named.
The Committee of the Whole adopted
two amendments offered by MIR. Parker
OF New Jersey, to move clearly and COM
prehensiyely specify the property and as
sets Of the Union Pacific 10 be covered by
the proposed new mortgage 20 the United
States, and the other TO forbid the COM
pany to dispose Of any Of its assets with
out the consent of the Secretary OF the
Treasury.
Many members spoke to-day, and the
discussion was quite interesting at times.
The bill was advocated by Messrs.
Daniels of New York: Grosvenor, of
Ohio; Arnold. of Pennsylvania; Kyle. Of
Mississippi: Henderson, Of Iowa; Watson,
of Ohio; Cannon. Of Illinois; Knox, OF
Massachusetts; Mitchell, Of New York.
and Faris. of Indiana; and opposed by
Messrs. Bowers, Of California; Johnson,
of North Dakota DOckery Of Missouri;
Boatner, Of louisiana; Hnborn. of Cali
fornia; Harrison, OF Alabama; Bell. OF
Texas: Mcguire of California, Mci.ach-
Ian and Barham. Of California;; Bartlett.
Of New York; Grout of Vermont; Per
hns, Of Iowa; Parker. OF New Jersey;
Swanson. Of Virginia; Hubbard, of Mis-
souri,. and Northway Of Ohio.
The last-named created an outburst OF
applause by declaring that rather than
submit to compulsion by the debtors Of
the government in the settlement Of the
debt, he would advocate foreclosure ana
purchase Of the road by the United States.
This outburst his colleague. Mr.. Gros-
venor. said, came from those who be-
lieved in the doctrines of the Ocala plat
form. He protested against Republican
association with government ownership
Of railroads, and also against referring
the question Of settlement TO the incoming
administration.
Early in the days session the acton OF
the House last night in pOstponing until
Tuesday next the return OF the Sergeant
alarms upon the execution Of warrants
f0g ile arrest of members absent from
that session was reconsidered, on motion
Of neral Henderson. of Iowa, after
vigorous effort TO prevent IL by Mr.
Thomas. OF Michigan. who had declared
his intention to protest against the mem
bers named in the warrant being allowed
to vote on any matter until excused by
the House. Proceedings under the call
were formally dispensed with, and thus
the danger to many members that they
would not be permitted TO vote on the
Pacific railroad matter was averted.
The Senate was not in session to-day.