The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-30
Is INDUCED In By New England
Members of the House
In the Discussion Ofthe A. & p.
Railroad Bills.
A HOME OF WRECKERS
Is What Boston Is Styled BY
Powers Of New York.
Powers Judicial Record Is At
tackled In Retaliation.

Washington, Jan. 30..The house yes
terday witnessed another exciting and
somewhat sensational episode. At the
end of an acrimonious debate on the
conference report the bill to confer,
the rights and franchises of the Allan
tic 81 Pacific railroad on the purchasers
under the mortgage foreclosure, Mr..
Powers of Vermont and Mr.. Barrett
of Massachusetts exchanged broad
sides.
Mr.. Powers defend the conference re-
port against the assaults of a half
score of members, led by Mr.. Barrel.
The latter was particularly sever in his
criticisms, charging that stock JOB
bling operation was behind the measure.
This drew from Mr.. Powers a reply in
which he claimed that Boston was the
home of railroad wreckers and with
keen satire ridiculed the Massachusetts
member, and said perhaps he was in
terested in his opposition
Mr. Barrett in responding was very
vicious, not only denying absolutely
any interest in the bill, but scoring Mr.
Powers who, he said, was on the su-
preme bench of Vermont when the Cen
trail railroad of that state was wrecked
under its decree. He was not called
10 order, but Mr.. Grout of Vermont
twice protested against the attack on
the judiciary of his state. The report
was rejected by an overwhelming ma
v. l. %,
instructed to insist on the house amend
ments.
just before adjournment Mr. Hardy
of Indiana, who was refused unanimous
consent to continue a political speech
he was making, declared he would re
taliate by objecting to every request
for unanimous consent to the remainder
of the session.
In the course of the debate Mr.. Pow
ers said the question as to the forfeit
ure of the land grants was now before
the supreme court If the court de-
clared they were not forfeited, he ar
gued that the mortgages were entitled
to the lands. If they were forfeited,
no legislation was needed on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Barrett of Massachusetts, secured
the floor He declared he desired to
discuss this report as a stock jobbing
operation. He asserted that no rail-
road in the country had SUCH dis
graceful history as this one.
Mr.. Powers appealed to members not
to be taken off their feet by charges OF
rascality made by the gentleman from
achusetts-Barrett. The latter, ne
said, was probably representing some
of those who were interested in the at
fairs of this company. If any Massa-
chusetts interests were involved they
were not involved in the direction of
public good. Boston was the place
where the railroads were wrecked, and
it was a dirty bird which befouled its
own nest.
Mr.. Barrett was very much aroused
by Mr. Powers ridicule and inuendoes,
and the moment the Vermont MEMBER
took his seat he was on his feet.
After Indignantly denying that he
was in any way opposed to the meas
ure, he said, menacingly:
THE gentleman charges me with be-
ing interested. Before 1 have conclud-
ed I shall draw a parallel which l think
he will understand
He said he was not surprised that
the gentleman from Vermont had talk
ad oh hPiT1e- interested when he
remen bered the recent debate on the
Pacific funding bill of which the gentle
man had had charge. On that occasion
grave statements were made to the eff
feet that the bill did not protect the in
terests of the government He resent
ed the imputation that Massachusetts
men were engaged in the business of
wrecking roads and highly eulogiZed
them for their enterprise and public
spirit.
I am a young man. he continued.
ssI came here with no reputation beyond
service in the legislature of my state,
but the gentleman from Vermont came
here after long term of service on the
supreme court of his state What was
the record of that court? Ask any of
the shareholders of the Central railroad
of Vermont who were robbed by the
DEGREES of that court and then let the
gentleman from Vermont talk to me
of Massachusetts wreclxing roads.
Mr.. Grout, the colleague of Mr.. Pow
ers attempted to stay the torrent of
Mr. Barrett's wrath, and submitted that
this war between the states should
not go on. He then raised the point of
order that it was out of order to at
tack the judiciary of state, but the
speaker overruled the point
Mr.. Barrett proceeding, said the
wreck of the Central railroad of Yer
mont when that railroad was in the
hands of the supreme court of that
state as receiver was the most complete
in railroad history. It was a stencil in
the nostrilS of civilization and he dehed
apV man to dispute it.
Mr.. Powers sat silent throughout the
remainder of the Massachusetts mem
ber's speech and made no response.
At 5 o'clock the house took a recess to
g ~