The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-12
HOUSE OF REpnESENpATlvES.
The Pacific Rniirond Funding Bill
Defeated.

Fate overlook the Pa c.iic railroad fund
Ing bill i'm the House to-day. 1t was de-
featcd by majority of &c votes, and its
supporters We're even prevented from
sending It back to the committee for re-
considera ton.
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 announc-
ed. the opponents of the measure in
dulged in some hand clapping. but made
no attempt at more noisy demonstra-
ton. The final vote was 16S noes and
1O2 ayes.
y full attendance OF members was an
evidence of the interest taken in The
funding bill, which came up under n spe-
cial order Immediately after the reading
of the journal.
The Speaker stated the first question
To be upon the amendments adopted in
the Committee of the Whole. and they
were agreed to without division.
SUBSTITUTES DEFEATED.
The next vote was taken on the sub
sttute offered by Mr.. Bell Dem). OF
Texas, fixing 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,
10; nays, l56.
The question then reverted TO the sub
stitu:e offered by Mr.. Harrison Dem.), j.,
of Alabama, constituting the Secretary
of the Treasury. the Secretary of the
Interior, and the Attorney General a
commission with full power to settle the
debts of the bond aided Pacific railroads
upon such terms and in such manner as
may be agreed upon. the approval of the
President 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.
The substitute was defeated-ayes.
90, noes 2l4-and the yeas and nays were
ordered on the engrossment and the
third reading of the bill.
The vote resulted: Yeas. 102; nays. 1GS.
and the bin was defeated.
CONFUSION AMONG MEMBERS.
Immediately upon the announcement
of the vote by Speaker Reed there was
some applause from opponents OF the
bill. The Speaker pronounced the per-
functory sentence required that the
House declined to order the engrossment
and third reading of the bill, and con-
siderable confusion followed. caused by
an exchange of congratulations among
members Then several members at
tempted to make themselves heard. but
Mr.. Babcock (Rep), of Wisconsin. man
aged to get the floor to request that the
District of Columbia day be postponed
until next Monday.
MI Powers (Rep.). of Vermont want
ed the bill recommitted to the Commit
tee on Pacific railroads. He said that
every member wanted something done
about the matter.
Mr.. Dockery (Dem). of Missouri, made
n point of order against This. He held
that intervening business made the mo-
ton out OF order. After some desultory
debate Speaker Reed disposed Of the
matter by saying he would like until
tomorrow to look into the question in
volved before rendering an opinion
a bill providing that officers who
served In the army during the war Of the
rebellion be permitted to wear the uni
form of their highest rank was passed.
MILITARY ACADEMY BILL.
The House devoted the remainder of
the day TO the military academy appro-
priation bill, and to measures brought
forward under call OF the committees
The academy bill was passed I'm short
order without amendment Among other
bills passed was one fixing the minimum
limit of capital for national banks in
cities and towns between s50, 900 and 3, 600
nha bitants. and another extending the
time until Januar 1, 1902, for the compile
tion of the Blackwell's Island bridge
over the East river.
The House adjourned at 4:12 p. m.