The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-07-13
THE StNATE'S LAST DAYS
The Deficiency Appropriation
Bills Under Discussion.
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED
Morgan and Thurston Lock Horns Over
the Pacific Railroads Question
Liable to Indefinitely Postpone
the Chambers Session.

washington, July l-.-lu the stnate
to-day resolution by Butler was
agreed to directing the secretary OF
state TO secure from the diplomatic rep
resentatives abroad full Information as
to the operation of postal telegraphs,
telephones and postal savings banks
Consideration OF the deficiency appro-
priation bill was then resumed.
The expediency OF attaching private
claims to the bill was discussed at
length. Foraker had offered an amend
ment covering three insurance claims
adjudicated under the Bowman act.
Hale made point of order against the
amendment. The vice president In de-
Gliding the point held that private"
referred to such measures as were for
the benefit OF individuals without APP
plication to the general public. For this
reason the Foraker amendment was
ruled out as covering private claims.
The decision operated TO exclude
large number of private claims which
were to be offered as amendments to
the deficiency bill. In view of this ex-
clusion of private claims Hale secured
the adoption of an amendment appro-
prlating $1,000 for extra labor to enable
the committee on claims to examine
fully all pending claims and to report
a comprehensive bill covering all meri
torious claims. to the next session Of
congress.
payment Of a judgment of the court of
claims for $i,3i0.427 in favor of the
Southern Pacific railroad company. Al
len proposed a modification of the
amendment providing that the money
be retained In the treasury until the
final adjustment of the claims of the
United States against the Southern Pa
cifc and Central Pacific railroads.
White took occasion to say that II this
amendment was pressed In Its original
form there would be protracted debate.
and no immediate adjournment. Hale
appealed to his associates not TO
press the amendment. saying he would
move to table II II extended debate re-
suited Chandler also argued that the
session might be indefinitely prolonged
II the amendment was pressed. There
upon Gear withdrew the amendment.
Morgan offered another Pacific rail-
road amendment providing that no part
of the sinking fund of the Union Paci-
fic Railroad company held I'm the treas
ury Of the United States In pursuance
Of the agreement between the president
of the United States or any officer Of
the United States and Louis Fitzger-
aid. chairman of the reorganization
company or any other company or cor
company or any other company
or corporation should be sur
rendered. Morgan spoke at length In
support OF the amendment. saying the
pending agreement between the execL-
tive branch Of the government and the
Union Pacific reorganization committee
was in fagrant disregard of the law
amounting to robbery. which. when
fully understood. would cause amaze
ment among the American people.
Morgan severely criticised the agree
ment made with the reorganization
committee. Al another point Thurston
demurred to Morgan's reference to him
as counsel for the receivers of the Pa
ciiic railroad. saying he had not acted
In that capacity since December, 1895.
and while political service might not
involve any question of propriety yet.
IL was desirable to have the facts ap-
pear correctly. The receivers and their
counsel were officers of the court ap-
pointing them. Thurston said
Morgan made an extended legal argu-
ment to show that the Union Pacific
railroad property could not be sold
without the consent of congress-
Thurston took exception to Morgan's
claim that the governments lien was
not confined TO aided portions of the
road. but embraced all Its property,
whether aided or not. Thurston con-
tended that the United States supreme
court had held the lien of the govern
ment to extend only to the mileage aid
ed by the issue OF subsidy bonds. Nor
gan spoke for over three hours, APP
pealing to his associates to support the
al
nation of what he regarded as seri-
GUS menace to the government.
Hale. In charge Of the bill. made the
point OF order that the Morgan amend
ment was new legislation and not ap-
propriate In an appropriation bill. He
agreed. however. TO withdraw the point
of order II vote could be taken with
out delay.
White demanded yea and nay vote.
which promised to bring business to a
halt as Hale declared there was not
n quorum I'm the chamber or in the
city.
Thurston briefly controverted the
points Of Morgan's argument. saying
the pending proposition was designed
TO prevent the taking OF the Union Pa
ciic question out OF the politics Of the
West and also to endanger a settlement
on a most advantageous basis. He re-
newed the point Of order withdrawn
by Hale. The presiding officer. Clark
OF Wyoming. temporarily in the chair.
announced that he would submit the
point Of order to the senate.
The vote was about to be taken when
Hale withdrew that paragraph of the
bill to which Morgan's provision was
an amendment. thus disposing OF the
entire subject. The bill was then laid
aside and at Ass o'clock the senate
held an executive session and ad-
iourned