The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-12
END OF FUNDING BILL.
Powers Bill Meets Decisive Defeat In
Lower House of Congress.
Friends of Measure Undecided
on Next Move.
Mills Oenouness Administration In Speech on
Cuban Recognition.


ance in the house yesterday Of members
was evidence OF the interest taken In the
Pacific railroads funding bill. which
was debated last week.
The bill provided for the settlement OF
the $1l2, ,OOO. 900 of Indebtedness OF the
Union Pacific and Central Pacific on the
basis of an extension OF over ~ years at
g per cent, with an annual extinguishing
payment on the principal at the rate OF
1866, 900 for the first 10 years. $5S0.000 for
: the second 10 years, and $T50,0oO for the
remaining years.
The bill was defeated, which involves
the probable immediate foreclosure of
the governments lien and the sale OF the
property.
The friends of the measure who had
predicted its passage up TO the last mo-
nient were surprised by the decisive
character of their defeat. They had been
led to hope from the votes on the substi-
tutes that the bill had more than an even
chance OF passing. The Bell substitute
provided that If the Union Pacific and
Central Pacific would clear Off the first
mortgage and advance the governments
lien the government would extend the
Indebtedness at per cent. 1t was de-
feated,' 110 TO 15S. The Harrison sub
stitute providing for a commission tn
negotiate a settlement of the debt was
rejected by the house by vote of 90 to
PA. Many Of the members were as
much opposed to these substitutes as To
the Powers bill. The California and
middle west members voted almost
solidly against them. When the vote
came on the main proposition the whole
opposition swung into line and crushed
ii by an adverse vote of 102 to 16S. The
vote was not taken directly on the pas
sage of the bill, but on the preliminary
motion to engross and read the bill
third time.
Bills, the subject of hard contests, are
usually brought to a final test before the
last parliamentary stage is reached.
The Reilly Pacific funding bill, two years
ago, was defeated in the same manner
on the same motion. This is the fourth
funding bill killed in the house in 10
years. An analysis of the vote shows
that Sc Republicans and 16 Democrats
voted for the bill and 80 Republicans, So
Democrats and Populists and S inde-
pendents against 1t.
Mr.. Powers, the chairman OF the Pa
cific railroad committee, entered a mo-
ton to recommit the bill after he had
recovered from the shock of his defeat,
saying that the members Of the house
were all in favor Of a settlement. but
evidently opposed to the principal Of the
measure the committee had brought In.
He thought his committee should have
an opportunity to formulate another bill
in the hope that 1t would prove accept
able. A point of order was made against
Mr.. Powers motion. but, at the sug-
gestion Of the speaker, the point was not
ruled upon, but will be. when the house
convenes today.
Mr. Powers says he does not know what
Will be done. but expresses the opinion
that another effort should be made to
pass an acceptable bill. The opponents
OF the bill, on The other hand. are rejoic-
ing, and say the vote settles the fate Of
all schemes to fund the debt at this ses-
sion. After the bill was disposed OF the
army appropriation bill and several
other bills were passed. The army bill
carried $23, 1868 $155,55S less than that
for the current year.
The chief event Of yesterdays senate
session was an impassioned speech by
Mr.. Mills of Texas in favor of a resolu-
tion introduced by him to declare the
recognition OF foreign government, a
congressional prerogative, and to recog-
nize the independence of Cuba, and ap-
propriate $4,000 for the salary of min
lister. In support of the first proposition
the senator quoted a long line of preced-
ents, and speaking on the latter ques-
ton he strongly denounced the admin
istration, charging it with favoritism
toward Spain. He spoke contemptuously
of CASTELAR, and Weyler and Of Signor
Crispi, because of his declaration that
Europe could not look without concern
upon the pretension Of the United States.
The Cuban question was the mercantile
spirit of the nation against it's honor, he
declared. There was an informal dis
cussion by several senator's. and Mr..
Bacon of Georgia gave notice of q speech
today. Mr.. Proctor made a speech in
favor of constitutional amendment to
limit the president to one six-year tenn,
and Mr.. Allen tNeb) made an unsuccess-
full attempt to secure the adoption of q
resolution calling on the secretary Of the
navy for information as to whether con-
tractors men in the Brooklyn navy
yard are made to work more than eight
hours a dav.
UnuL ror Publication.
New York, Jan. 1.-THE police investi-