Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-12
IN THE HOUSE.

Fate overlook the Pacific railroad fund.- ing bill in the house today. It was de- feated by a majority of sixty-six votes and it's supporters were even prevented from sending it back to the committee for reconsideration.
 The motion on which the decisive blow was dealt called for the engrossment and third reading of the bill When the roll had been called and the result was an- nounced, the opponents of the measure indulged in some hahdclapping, but made no attempt at a more noisy demonstra- tion. The final vote was 16S noes, 102 ayes. t Hs
 full attendance of members was an- evidence of the interest taken in the funding bill, which came up under a special order immediately after the read ing of the journal.
 The speaker stated the first question to be upon the amendments adopted in committee of the whole, and they were agreed to without division.
 The next vote was taken on the substi- tute offered by MT. Bell (dem., Tex) fix ing the rate of interest on the bonds to be issued at per cent. instead of 2, as provided in the bill.
 The substitute was defeated, ayes no, nays 156.
 The question then reverted to the sub- stitute offered by MT. Harrison (dem., Ala) constituting the secretary of the treasury, the secretary of the interior and the attorney general commission with full power to settle the debts of the bond-aided Pacific directors, upon such terms, and in such manner as may be agreed upon, the approval of the Pres ident being necessary. If unable to reach an agreement with the owners of the roads, the commission to recommend to congress what legislation they deem necessary to protect the interests of the government and to enforce the prompt collection of the debt.
 This substitute was also defeated, ayes 55 to PA noes and the ayes and nays were ordered on the engrossment and third reading of the bill. The vote resulted: Yeas 102 and nays 168 and the bill was defeated.
 Immediately upon the announcement of the vote by Speaker Reed there was some applause from opponents of the bill. The speaker pronounced the perfunctory sentence required that the house declined to order the engrossment and third read ing of the measure, and considerable con- fusion followed, caused by the exchange of congratulations among members. Then several members attempted to make themselves heard, but MT. Babcock (rep. Wis.) managed to get the floor to request that District of Columbia day be post poned until next Monday.
 MT. Powers (rep, Vt) wanted the bill recommitted to the committee on Pacific railroads. He said that every member wanted something done about the mat ter.
 A bill providing for officers who served in the regular army during the war of the rebellion be permitted to wear the uniform of their higest rank was passed.
 The house devoted the remainder of the day to the military academy appropri- ation bill and to measures brought for ward under a call of committees. The academy bill was passed in short order without amendment. Among the other bills passed was one fixing the minimum limit of capital for national banks in cities and towns between 50,000 and 5000 inhabitants, and another extending until January l, 1902, the time for the comple- ton of the Blackwells Island bridge over the East river.
 The house adjourned at 4:12 p. m.