Evening star., 1897-01-09
DEBATE STILL ON
Discussing the Pacific Railroad Fund
ing Bill in the House.
SPEECHES UNDER TEE 5-MINUTE RULE
A Lively Parliamentary CoIloquy as
to Arrests.
NONE YET RTED

The House of Representatives today en-
tered upon the last stage Of the debate on
the Pacific railway funding bill. Under the
rule already adopted, the long speeches
were concluded yesterday, today being
given to brief speeches under the five-min-
ute rule, with the final vote Immediately
after the reading of the journal Monday.
The interest In the elimination of the de-
bate was shown by an exceptionally large
attendance of members for Saturday ses-
sion. Several of the senators were at
tentive listeners at different stages Of the
debate.
Before taking up the funding bill the
House passed Senate bill for bridge
across the Red river above Fulton, Ark.
Sharp Parliamentary Struggle.
preliminary furry occurred over mo-
tion by Mr.. Henderson Qowa) to reconsider
the resolution, adopted at the night session
of the House last night directing the ser
geant-at-arms to arrest absent members
and bring them to the bar of the House
on Tuesday next It occasioned a sharp
parliamentary struggle, Mr.. Baker On. HI
making :he point that Mr.. Henderson was
not present at the night session and had
no right to move to reconsider.
Mr: Thomas (Mich), who secured the
adoption of the order for the arrest of
absent members, defended the justice of
IT, pointing out that absenteeism at the
Friday night session, when private pension
bllls are considered. practically brought
pension legislation to a standstill. There
was much confusion as Mr. Thomas sought
to read the names of all members absent
last night. He said he wanted the country
to know just who were responsible for this
delay Of legislation.
After many objections had been made the
speaker ruled that the names could be read
as part OF Mr. Thomas remarks and they
were accordingly read from the desk amid
loud murmur of disapproval
1t disclosed 23S absent from the night
session and now subject to arrest by the
seIseant- nt-at-arms. Mr.. Grosvenor created
laugh by asking if the sergeant-at-arms
was to furnish transportation lodging and
food for his prisoners.
Mr.. Meredith Va) interposed the state
l4ent: In,1 suggest that the gentleman
tihomas) have read his petition to be COM
missioner of pensions under the next ad-
ministration."
There Is no such petition and the gen.
LENA Ieman tMeredith) knows it, returned Mr..
Thomas warmly
Il have heard it was in existence" per-
sisted Mr.. Meredith
1SO-1O9 was "'op'eu
Mr. Thomas sought to get a record vote.
but failed. The call for a yea and nav
vote was defeated-16-165
is the Speaker counting members now
under arrest?' interposed Mr.. Thomas as a
last resort.
The Speaker is not aware that any men,
Der OF the House is under arrest" re-
sponded Mr.. Reed sharply.
NO arrests have been made under the
order added Mr.. Henderson,
Certainly, the sergeant-at-arms made
arrests last night" insisted Mr.. Thomas,
and more were made today"
ihe speaker said he had no information
or such arrests. Thereupon without further
division all proceedings under the order
for arrests were suspended
With this lively episode out of the way
the Pacific railroad funding bill was taken
up under the five-minute rule.
Onslaught ON the Railroads. ~,
MI Bowers Cal) opened the opposition
In an onslaught on the mana agement of the
Pacific roads and the bill. He character
ized the measure as plan to continue the
most tyrannous monopoly that had ever
been organized. 1t was a part of an in
famous and fraudulent transaction, an at
tempt to prolong the grip of the lana
conda of the Pacific coast
Mr. Johnson IN. D. opposed the bill, Civ
had made and the enormous losses of
the government. When Mr. Powers of
Vermont. in charge of the bill, asked for
more time for Mr. Daniel. one Of those
supporting it, Mr. Mcguire (Cal) inter-
pc sed. saying" Every man from the Pacific
coast mas been shut out of the general de-
oate and there can be no extensions I'm
favor of the BILL
IF there has been any shutting ont
responded Mr.. Hepburn, lit was at the
elections and not here"
Mr. Daniel argued that the settlement
should be made now and not left "a a
legacy to the next administration
Ar. Grosvenor said the bill probably
saVe the best means Of closing the pro-
ment. e''ei IL
Mr.. Dockery (Mo) urged that Conpress
nao not been given the full financial state
ment as to the settlement which womId
warrant its adoption.
MT. Arnold Pa.) said that unless this
settlement was made the next administra.
n tIon would be compelled either to issue
s6o.ooO,oOO bonds to pay OFF mortgages or
else throw up all its liens.
Mr.. HflbOrn's Contention.
Mr. Hilborn (Cal) contended that in the
pending proposition an old overland branch
of the Central Pacific now abandoned wac
included, instead of the new branch. He
also insisted that ferry which was In
cluded as a valuable asset was in fact
disposed of by the roads, His further re-
marks will be found elsewhere in The Star
Mr.. Powers disputed the correctness of
Mr.. Hilborn's statements, and said no sales
such as indicated had been made At this
point the two substitute propositions If Mr..
Harrison (Ala) and Mr.. Bell (Col) were
tutes have been heretofore outlined.
Mr.. Henderson said he tried to view the
claim as one of his own, and to act as
though his own interest were involved
He believed foreclosure melnt complete
loss of the government debt while COM
promise on the lines Of the bill gave the
hope Of saving all. or most all, of the debt
SENATOR PROCTOR AT CLEVELAND.