The morning times., 1897-01-04
THIS WEEK In CONGRESS.
Loud Bill Will Receive Attention
in the House.
STRONG OPPOSITION TO IT
Chances for It's Passage Con-
sidered Rather Doubtful-Pacific
Railroad Refunding Bill Will Oc-
cupy the Remainder of the Time.
warm Debate Is Promised.

Just before the holiday recess the House
of Representatives, upon the recommenda-
ton OF the Committee on Rules, arranged
the business of the House for the first
week Of the new year.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the Loudbill
to amend the postal lawas so as to pro-
hibit the transmission In the mails OF serial
novel publications and sample copies of
newspapers at the Sec ond class rate viii be
the special order. Discussion under the
general rule W i'll ontinue from Immediately
after the reading of the journal on Tuesday,
the 9th instant, until 2 p. III. on Wednes-
day, and under the five minute rule upon
proposed amendment until O'Clock, when
voting will begin upon pending amend
ments and the final passage of the bill.
When the bill was called up rather un-
expectedly several weeks ago it developed
surprising strength, but since then the op-
POSITION has been active and the chances
of it's passage are now considered rather
doubtful.
The Refunding Bill.
After this bill has been disposed Of the
rest of the week-Thursday, Friday and
Saturdav-will be devoted to the considera-
ton OF the Pacific railroad funding bill,
reported by Judge Powers, chairman Of
the Committee on Racific Railroads. Two
days will be given to general discussion
and one day to debate and action in Com
mittec Of the Whole upon proposed amend
ments The bill will be reported TO the
House at 3 O'Clock, Saturday, and the
vote on its passage taken on Monday, the
11th instant, Immediately after the read
ing OF the journal,
The debate on this measure will doubt
less be interesting, owing to the opposition
Which exists among members OF the House
to he action of the majority OF the com
mittee. The bill proposes to extend the
government lien over all the ph ysical prop
critics of the com panes, which tits claimed,
the present lien does not cover, and sub
stitutng for all outstanding obligations,
new i per cent mortgage, the govern
ment debt to be carried at per cent
per annum.
Warm Debate Promised.
In addition to this, the Southern Pacific
Company is required TO pay the amount
charged against the Central Pacific Com
pany 50 long as it remains lessee thereof.
The amount OF the Union Pacific mortgage
will he S54,T31 900, and OF the Central
Pacific, net, $52, ,s01,0 900.
MeSsrs. Hubbard of Missouri, and Bell
of Texas, have made minority reports,
opposing the recommendation OF the COM
mittee, the former recommending the
bin drawn by Attorney General Har-
mon and introduced by Senators Brice and
Morgan, to enforce the government liens
upon the property by proceedings in the
court OF appeals of the District OF Columbia,
and the latter, that the debts OF the com
panles be extended at 8 per cent, instead
of 2, and secured by a first mortgage upon
all their properties. They will probably
lead the debate against the committees
bills.
BY the terms OF the orders making these
measures the special business, Consider
alton OF any other matters is shut out, and
1t will take unanimous consent to act
on anything else until the orders have
been exhausted. The only exception is
that on Friday night private pension bills
will be discussed for two hours and half
as usual without q Quorum.