The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-12-10

to the territory. The great influx OF
population during the past summer ana
fan and the prospect Of still larger
immigration in the spring will not per-
nit us to longer neglect the extension
of civil authority within the territory
or postpone the establishment OF more
thorough government.
concur with the secretary OF war in
his suggestions as to the necessity Tor
n military force in the territory OF
Alaska for the protection of persons
and property.
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS.
The Union Pacific railway, main line,
was sold under the decree of the Ohlteo
States court for the district OF Me-
hraska on Nov. l and of this year.
The amount due the government con-
sisted of the principal of the subsidy
bonds S27. 512. and the accrued IN
terest thereon, SS1, Pill 711.75, making the
total indebtedness SOS, 44S, 223.75. Inc
hid of the sale covered the first mort
gaga lien and the entire mortgage claim
of the government, principal and inter-
est.
The sale of the subsidized portion OF
the Kansas Pacific line, upon Whlch the
government holds a second mortgage
lien. has been postponed at the instance
of the government to Dec. 10, 1891. Inc
debt of this division of the Union Ia
cific railway to the government on NOV
l, 1897, was the principal of the SUBSIDY
bonds. Sc. 800, 600, and the unpaid and &C
crued interest thereon, $6,626, 69O.S0, max
ing a total of $12, 929,69OSS.
The sale of this road was originally
advertised for Nov. 4, but for the pur-
pose of securing the utmost public no
tice of the event it was postponed until
Dec. 49, and a second advertisement OF
the sale was made. By the decree of
the court the upset price on the sale OF
the Kansas Pacific will yield to the
government the sum of S2,5OO,OOO over
all prior liens, costs and charges. Ii
no other or better bid is made, this sum
is all the government will receive on its
claim of nearly 3d. 900. The govern
ment has no information as to whether
there will be other bidders or better
bid than the minimum amount herein
stated. The question presented, there
fore is. Whether the government shall,
under the authority given it by the act
of March s. 1887, purchase or redeem
the road in the event that bid IS not
made by private parties covering the
entire government claim. To qualify
the government to bid at the sale viii
require a deposit of 100000
The lien on the Kansas Pacific prior
to that OF the government on July 30,
1895. principal and interest, amounted
TO s.. 2S1 O4S.11. The government. there
fore. should it become the highest bid
der. will have to pay the amount of the
first mortgage lien.
l believe that under the act of 1887 it
has the authority to do this, and in the
absence of any action by congress I
shall direct the secretary of the treas
ury to make the necessary deposit as
required by the courts decree to qualify
rs a bidder and to bid at the sale sum
which will at least equal the principal
II the debt due to the government, but
suggest in order to remove all con-
troversy that an amendment of the law
Inc Immediately passed explicitly giving
eIch powers and appropriating in gen
eral terms whatever sum is sufficient
therefor
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion.