The record-union., 1897-07-16
SAN PEDRO HARBOR.
MATTER AGAIN DISCUSSED IN
THE SENATE.
Stewart Moves a Reconsideration
of Whites Resolution Relating
to Commencement Of Work.

WASHINGTON, July 15.-Pacific
railroad affairs occupied the attention
of the Senate throughout, and the Har-
ris resolution, relating to the pending
proceedings against the Union Pacific.
finally went over. Early in the day
Senators Stewart and White in
dulged in sharp personalities in con-
nection with the contest over the San
Pedro deep water harbor. The joint
resolution was passed accepting the in
vitation of France to participate in the
Paris Exposition in 1900
Mr.. Stewart moved in the Senate to-
day a reconsideration of the action
of the Senate in passing the resolution
directing the Secretary of War to pro-
ceed in the construction of a break
water at San Pedro, Cal. 1t reopened
the long standing controversy over the
location of a deep-water harbor on the
coast and a long and exciting debate
| between Stewart and White ensued.
Stewart argued that the original law
provided for a deep-water harbor to
cost about $3,O00,0O0, while the inquir-
les of the Secretary of War disclosed
that the break-water would cost this
sum, while the entire harbor would cost
about S5,S00000.
White answered that the Government
engineers had reported that the break
| water would give a harbor of COM
merce, and in addition to this there
was an inner harbor available 1t was
rather surprising, White added, that
the Senator from Nevada, who pre-
sumably represented the people of his
State and not of California, should in
terfere in this question
This stirred up a hot personal con-
test. With evident agitation Stewart
| declared that he resented the intima-
tions made. He had a right as a Sena-
tor to adopt such course as he desired.
and he had no personal interests to
serve, such as those who represented
| terminal railroads. He did not pro-
pose to drag in such questions.
White responded that as far as ter
minal railroads were concerned, he did
not represent any of them. He repre-
sented California, and in this question
he had the concurrence of his colleag ne
from California, the California delega-
ton in Congress and the people Of the
State, and they felt that they could
attend to the interests of the State
without the assistance of the Senator
from Nevada
1T is rather singular" proceeded
! White, that when We have a matter
affecting a certain railroad the Sena-
| tor from Nevada steps in and attempts
to do duty as a Senator from Califor-
MIA. differences can be deducted, and
only one inference can be deducted,
that the Senator does not represent any
constituency whatever in this matter.
The people of Nevada have no interest
in it,
Stewart had remained on his feet,
and in indignant tones answered: II
repel this charge, this criticism. / am
here as a Senator from Nevada 1 do
not allow private interests to affect my
vote of my action. l can do right. not
Withstanding the Southern Pacific or
anybody else connected with it. I do
not oppose everything that comes up
that may benefit the Southern Pacific
or the Northern Pacific, or the people
at large. I do not hold up any man
or corporation L hate as red flag
against legislation"
The Senator called on White to show
anything in his course in the Senate to
warrant such a criticism Then it
would be time to make charges. but
until then he would proceed as he
deemed right, without regard to the
sneers from any one.
The motion to reconsider was then
disagreed to on a viva voce vote.
On motion of Carter the Senate at l
p. M, went into executive session.
The doors were opened again at 1:15
p. M, and the Harris resolution re-
questing the President to suspend pro-
ceedings to carry into effect the al
legged agreement to sell the interest of
the United States in the Union Pacific
road and in the sinking fund was con-
sidered. Harris spoke in support of
the resolution
The resolution was laid aside tenn
porarily, and Tillman secured the pas
sage of the bill relating to the inter-
state transportation of distilled spirits
and spirits to be subject to State laws
to the same extent as spirits distilled
in the State.
Allen Of Nebraska spoke in support
OF the Harris resolution. Allen was in
volved in frequent controversies with
Gear. In the course of his remarks.
he urged the Government ownership
and operation of the Union Pacific
declaring that it would reduce passen-
ger and freight rates from fifty to six
ty per cent
Gear insisted that Government own
ership would increase passenger and
freight rates fifty per cent. Gear as
serted that the managers of the Popu-
list party had suppressed a report on
Government ownership of railroads af-
ter finding from the statistics that IT
increased rates.
Allen had not concluded his speech
on the Harris resolution, when at 3
o'clock, the Senate adjourned.