The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-11
A BIG BATTLE
Scheduled to Be Fought
In the House Today.
Vote to Be Taken on Pacific
Roads Funding Bill.
O.. n..1 non oon 4. NH. -.
Over $112.O0O,000 in Debts are
Involved in the Measure.

Washington. Jan. 1.-THE fate Of the
Pacific railroad funding bill, which was
debated three days in the house last
week, will be decided today. when the
measure. with the pending amendments.
VIII come to a vote under the special
| order under which the house is proceed
ing
The bill involves the settlement OF the
sll2,000,0 600 OF indebtedness OF the Union
Pacific and Central Pacific on the basis
OF an extension OF over 50 years at per
cent, with an annual extinguishment
payment on the principal at the rate OF
SSG5,OOO for the first 10 years, S5S0,00 for
the second 10 years. and $3.50, 900 for the
remaining years. 1t involves, as the al
tentative of its defeat. the probable inn
mediate foreclosure OF the governments
lien and the sale Of the property.
1t is the elimination of the strugggle
which has gone on in congress for
dozen years, TO secure some sort of an
adjustment Of the Pacific railroad in
debtedness on the basis OF an extension,
as II has been apparent for long period
that the roads would default when the
bonds matured. The interests at stake
are gigantic. and the friends of the bill
ore strainng every nerve. The oppo-
nents OF the measure are also active, and
the result is awaited with intense inter-
est. Each side claims Ii viii be viCfo-
rious today. Both sides have made polls
Of the members, upon which they base
their claims. Before the final vote is
taken on the BILL the Bell and Harrison
substitutes, both OF which are pending,
Will be voted upon. The former provides
that If the Union Pacific and the Central
Pacific will discharge the first mort
gage indebtedness of SCI. 900. 900 so as to
advance the governments lien 10
first mortgage, the government will
agree TO the extension Of the debt at n
low rate Of interest The Harrison sub
stitute provides for the creation OF n
commission consisting OF the secretary
of the treasury, the secretary OF the in
terror and the attorney general, for the
settlement of the debt on a basis fair TO
the roads and just to the government.
After the funding bill is disposed OF
the house will proceed with the consid-
GRAFTON OF appropriation bills until Sat
urday. which will be given up to eulogies
on the life and character and public SER
vices OF the late ex Speaker Crisp.
The Indian and military appropriation
bills are on the calendar. and before they
are disposed Of the agricultural bill will
be brought on.
The course OF the senate this week will
depend largely upon whether the Pacific
railroad funding bill passes the house
and whether Senator Cameron will call
up his Cuban resolutions.
Mr.. Cameron's friends expect that he
will be in his seat today, and that
when he returns he will indicate his de-
sire as to the resolutions on the Cuban
question. II he decides TO press the reso- !
lutions. there will bea determined effort |
To aid him in this direction. but in any |
event there are likely to be a few
speeches on Cuba.
Senator Mills has announced his pur- |
pose to address the senate on the ques- |
ton today. and 1t is understood that |
Senator Davis is preparing a Cuban |
speech.
The Pettigrew free homestead bill is |
expected to reach a vote today or tomor-
row, and it is 10 be followed by the Pa
cific railroad BILL If the latter bill passes |
the house.
Senator Cullom, who will have charge |
OF the legislative, executive and judicial
bill. said yesterday that he |
expects to he able To report that measure
hy he middle of the week, and that he |
will ask the senate 10 consider il as soon
as reDorted.