Evening star., 1897-01-08
THE FUNDING BILL FIGHT
Opponents of the Measure Sure of Its
Defeat.
Eject of the Loss of the AccOunts-!
Mystery That Has Not Deen
Solved.

The redhot fight over the funding bill is
beginning to interest every representative,
and the various elements which have lately
crept into the fight have been favorabl, 1t
is said by leading members of both par
ties, to the anti-funding men. One of these
elements was the disappearance of $4,000
600 Of accounts. as told in The Star This
has cast a great deal of suspicion upon
other transactions and is likely to have a
strong bearing on the final vote in the
House.
Like nearly everything else connected
with the business of these roads, the man.
ner OF the disappearance of the accounts
is mystery, and that probably prevents
more wholesale denunciation of the
methods of the roads than is now antici-
pated. Representatives who were talked
TO today by Star reporters did not feel like
giving their opinions about transaction
OF which so little Is yet unknown. They
characterized the whole business as very
fuLny. however.
Representative Shafroth of Colorado said
it was difficult to get to the bottom of an
affair like this.
The opinion is growing, stated in The
Star yesterday, that there is strong
chance to defeat the bill in the House next
Monday. Representative Bell of Texas
one of the best posted men on the bill in
the House. said to a Star reporter today:
Some time ago 1 thought the bill would
go through the House easily. but sentiment
is changing. If the bill passes now it will
be by small majority, and many men,
hers tell me that it will be defeated"
Representative Walker, republican, of
Virginia, said the impression he gathered
was that the bill would be defeated in the
House
Il think the bill will be defeated" said
Representative Swanson of Virginia, land
it ought to be beaten
A similar opinion was expressed by Rep
resen;ative Hendrick of Kentucky and
many others. Representatives Rlue and
Loey, leading republicans of the House
said the bill would be beaten.
The California members. who are making
such strong fight, are hopeful Of the de-
feat of the bill. They are making con-
verts every day, as much by personal work
as otherwise.
Believes They Can he Forced.
Representative Broderick of Kansas was
almost positive that the bill will be de-
feated. IF it is defeated he said to
Star reporter. land the government begins
foreclosure proceedings something will drop
pretty soon. The roads will make NOR,
favorable offers to the government when
they see that the government proposes to
take care of it's interests
Representative Dewitt said the bill would
be beaten
The opinion is expressed by influential
men that three out of five members of
CALIFORNIA; Legislature.
Representative HiIborn of California pre-
sented to the House today the following
telegram received from Sacramento. Cal.
ard signed by Governor James H. Budd
and Chief Clerk Duckworth of the Califor-
MIA legislature:
THE following joint resolution was this
day adopted by the California legislature:
Whereas there is now pending in Con-
gress measure known as the Powers
Gear bill, which has for it's object the re-
funding of the debts of certain govern
ment-aided railroads, and whereas any
scheme for refunding the Pacific roalroads
Indebtedness to the United States govern
ment, or any extension for the time Of
payment OF the same must result in main
tanning an excessive capitalization OF these
roads, thus requiring a high rate of fare
and freight to meet the payment of in
terest thereon, to the great burden and
disadvantage of the people of the state of
California, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the assembly of the state
OF California, the senate cOncurring That
we ale unalterably opposed to any and all
extensions of the time fer the payment of
SAID debts, and also the Powers-Gear bill. or
airy other bill of like import, and We here
by instruct our senator's and request our
representatives in Congress to oppose by
all honorable means, the enactment of any
such measure, and be it
Further resolved. That we favor the
immediate collection on maturity of said
debts, or in the event that the same cam
not be collected, then we urge the enforce
n'ent OF existing laws of the United States
concerning this question, and be it
Further resolved, That we petition. in
behalf of the state of California for a
hearing before the respective committees
OF Congress having jurisdiction on the SUBJ
ject, and the Senate and the House of Pen
resentatives of the United States are here
by further petitioned to recommit the
measure now under consideration and de-
lay final action thereon until such hearing
can be had. Be it further
Resolved, That the governor be re-
quested to Immediately transmit by tsIe-
graph a copy Of these resolutions to our
congressional delegation at Washington