The Press., 1897-10-21
Washington Letter.


 Washington, oct. 4, 1S97.
 Representations so sensational and im- portant have been made to President Mo- Kinley concerning the sale of the Union Pacific railroad, advertised to take place the first week of next month, that he is understood to be carefully considering whether it is not his duty to attempt to stop the sale, if he has the power to do so. According to these representations, postponement of the sale and a rear rangement of the conditions of the sale would mean something more than $2O,- O0O, ,OO0 to the government. It is claimed that the terms of the sale virtually shut out all bidders, except the reorganization committee, and that they were drawn up with that intention: that the committee has prepared to take full advantage of that condition of affairs and to buy the road at price that will make 1t Unnecessary | for the government to cut down its claim of $50, GOO 900 against the road by at least $20, ,OOO ,OO0 Men of responsibility y have told the president that if the present sale can be postponed and proper terms be arranged, they will guarantee to bid high enough for the road to pay the government claim in full. This is very I sidering it very carefully, but it is difficult to see how he can stop sale ordered by 8 U. s. court. The government had the right to appeal from the circuit court to the U. $. supreme court, and such an appeal would have prevented the sale un- til after the supreme court had acted upon the case, but 1t was announced a short time ago that, acting on the advice of the attorney general, the administra. tion had declined to appeal the case. MT Mckinley is a lawyer and it may be that he can discover some way in which other bidders may be given an equal show with the reorganization committee to bid fol the road even if the sale cannot be post. poned.
 Nothing could furnish stronger proot of the existence of many and divers opinions on the subject of finance, ever among bankers and financiers, than the letters received by the monetary com mission, in response to circular letter sent out, asking for the views of these tC whom it was sent. Although the mem bers of this commission are all chosen ra presentatives of one side of the f1nancia question, they do not all agree as to wha , financial legislation is needed, and il , would not greatly surprise those on tn inside if there should be divided repor !, when the sittings are brought to close
 Senator Clark, of Wyoming, who is nov in Washington, was asked what he though 1. of the work of the monetary commission . and he replied: "Well, had no doub " that whatever Is recommended by tn 2 commission will be considered wit
 proper courtesy. That congress vii '' adopt It's recommendations is quit
 another question. There are plent j. of men in both houses that will give ). very decided negative to accepting meas
 ures made by body of men who have in > posed on themselves task that properl ). belonged to the law-making branch of tn ). government. The country is gettin > along first rate now and there will be dt 3. cided opposition to making any sue
 changes in our financial system as woul
 probably emanate from this mOnetar
 commission"
 5, There is disposition in some quarter
 to harshly criticise the somewhat drama
 tic manner in which Justice Field al
 nounced his coming retirement from th
 bench of the U. s. supreme court, but L. really is not deserved The service t. Justice Field to the public has been g
 lOng-exceeding that of any other men
 Der of the supreme court since its orgal 0 ization-and so important, covering son V of the most important cases ever passe upon by that court, that he is surely el '' titled to the privilege of accompanying h
 retirement with some extraordinary trin . mings In the shape of letters to and frol s the president and his colleagues on tf
 bench, If 1t pleases him to do so. On
 one name is mentioned in Washington 8, connection with the vacancy that wi n be made by the retirement of Justi' $. FIeld-Attorney General McKenna.