The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-30
MAKES MORGAN MAD
BED HOT MINORITY REPORT ON
THE PACIFIC ROADS BILL

Building of the Roads a Government Under
taking and the Government Should Re
sumo ControI-Presidentia1 Action Al
ready Taken is Executive Usurpation-
Enough Stolen by Rascaliy officers t.
Paw the vernment-Committee Bill
Railway News.
Washington, March Ex-senator Nor
gan of Alabama today presented mi
nority report on the bill recently re-
ported favorably to the senate for the
adjustment Of the Pacific railroad debts
through the agency of commission.
The report gives the circumstances of
the inception Of this national highway
across the continent and maintains that
It was essentially government under
takig entrusted to private hands, just as
national banks are instrumentalities OF
the government, although in private
hands.
To secure the government against de-
fault Of these corporations in the pay
ment of the bonds issued to enable them
TO build these railroads, there was pro-
yided in the charters a distinct and sep
arate lien upon all their property OF
every description, in favor Of the Unit
ed States. The statute provides for the
forfeiture on default OF payment and
transfers the title and possession by act
of law to the United States. The gov
eminent is thus substituted in absolute
and unconditional ownership Of the cor
porate property OF every kind, IN place
of the stockholders, whose ownership
ehereupon ceases.
The report then points out that this
bill provides an agreement for the
Owners oe the Union Pacific railroad
without declaring who owns II, and deals
with it as if the United States IS not the
owner. The bill also, it is insisted, de-
stroys the unity Of this great highway
and proposes to separate the Central
Pacific from the Union Pacific railroad.
Mr.. Morgan states in the report that
he will offer an amendment in the SEN
etc providing that the provisions of the |
bill shall apply to both Of the Pacific |
railroad companies. The senator says |
tnat if this fatal act Of separation be- |
tween these roads" has not reached a |
conclusive stage by reason of agree |
rnents made by the president for the |
disposal Of the governments interests in |
the Union Pacific railroad, then it
should be intercepted and placed in the
hands Of this proposed commission. The
report adds:
"The United States can no more af-
ford TO have this great highway pass
beyond its reach than Great Britain
could afford to have the Canadian Pa
cific railroad, which. in a military sense,
IS the spinal column of the empire, pass
into the hands of the American govern
ment
the nature Of such transaction
condemns il as an usurpation of au-
thority by the executive, that has no
support in law. 1t is too much TO ask
that congress shall stand by and wit
ness a disposal of this vast property I'M
fer a private agreement between the ex-
scutive and a great railroad combina-
ton without even a protest. The value
pf the whole property is not adequate
| .
the abuse of official power"
Mr.. Morgan contends that the destruc-
ton Of this unity viii enable a great |
combination to control trans
portation from New York to the Pacific
pecan, making the people along the
routes mere feudatories of these great !
railroad kings. The report asserts that .
the real occasion for this bill is to AVOID
the disclosures and to provide for the
of frauds and breaches of ,
trust on the part OF owners and direc-
tors of the Central Pacific railroad,
which, if they were dealt with in the 8
spirit of justice, would fasten liabilities !
upon these men that would far exceed ,
he vast sums which the company owes +,
% the government
Mr.. Morgan refers to the enormous
frauds perpetrated by both of these rail- E
Dad companies upon the United States. q.
he remedy for which is easily in reach /:
through tribunals of justice.
The report then urges that the pres,-
lent should not be left as final umpire,
Is proposed by this bill. Gin a contest
between crime and public Justice" The
=,
mi it should not unburdeu it on the G
president.
Mr.. Morgan adds that although the
esult would disoppoint the powerful
rider OF railroad wreckers, yet an easy
adjustment IS open by the passage of I
enate bill No. 222. [
The report closes with statement as [
o the powerful engine which the COM y
nittee bill places under the direction OF
he president and cabinet.
JOINT TRAFFIC CASE. L
Washington. March 2s.-The motion OF
he government 10 advance the case of
he Joint Traffic association will be Q
made in the supreme court on Thursday d
lext. n
LAMONT AS A RAILROADER. P
Chicago. March 29.-The Posts Wash G
ngton special says: a report is in cir f
uiation among the Washington friends o
f ex-Secretary OF War Lamont that he n
5 about TO become president of the o
Northern Pacific railroad. Secretary n
lamont has been in close business rela- c
ions With several OF the leading spirits a
n the Northern Pacific reorganization a
cheme and as he has gained a reputa- a
ion for being a safe and conservative 4
faracter, X is not improbable that he t
nay be selected for that position. II has O
lot yet been figured out to a certainty :.
xactly what bearing his selection for ii
ne presidency of the Northern Pacific Y
fhouond THAT ROCKS d