The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-30
II CARRIES S227. 100000
General Deficiency Bill Passed With
Imnortnnt Amendments.

WASHINGTON, June ZJ.-COISlu6IdllOH OF
the general deficiency bill was concluded
by the senate today and the measure was
passed. An amendment of great import
ance was attached to the bill, practically
by general consent. 1t relates to the set
Element of the claims of the government
against the Pacific railroads. 1t was Of
fered by Mr.. Morgan of Alabama, who
made strong appeal to the senate for its
adoption. Before it was agreed to Mr..
White Of California proposed some amend
ments to It, making it even more binding
upon the roads than it was in its original
form. The amendment in full follows:
That the secretary of the. treasury.
the secretary of the interior and the at
torney general and their successors in Of
flee be and they are hereby appointed a
commissions with full power to settle the
Indebtedness to the government growing
out of the issue of bonds in aid of the
construction of the Central Pacific and
Western Pacific bond-aided railroads,
upon terms and in such manner as may
be agreed upon by them, or by a major
ity of them, and the owners of said rail-
roads: Provided, that any and all set
Elements thus made shall be submitted in
or disapproval and unless approved by
him shall not be binding.
THAT said commission shall not agree
to accept a less sum in settlement of the
amount due the United States than the
full amount of the principal and all
amounts necessary to reimburse paid for
interest or otherwise, and also providing
that said commission are hereby empow-
cred to grant such time or times of pay
nlent by installment and at such rates of
interest, TO be not less than per centum
per annum, payable semi-annually and
with such security as to said commission
may seem expedient: Provided, however,
that in any settlement that may be made
the final payment and full discharge of
said Indebtedness shall not be postponed TO
exceed ten years, and the whole amount,
principal and interest, shall be paid in
equal semi-annual installments within the
period so limited, and in any settlement
made 1t shall be provided that if default
shall be made IN any payment of either
principal or interest or any part thereof,
then the whole sum and installments,
principal and interest shall Immediately
become due and payable Notwithstanding
any other stipulation of said settlement.
THAT there is hereby appropriated out
of any money in the treasury not other
wise Appropriated the sum of $4,000 to de-
fray the expenses OF said commission in
making the said settlement"
The bill, as passed, carries about S227,-
600 600, the largest sum carried by any ap-
preparation measure since the civil war.
After the passage of the deficiency bill
81,
resolutions was resumed. Mr.. Caffery
Dem. La concluding his speech in oppo-
sition 10 annexation.
When consideration Of the general def
cheney bill was resumed today. the fol-
loving amendment, suggested by Mr..
Hale. gave rise TO considerable debate:
For purchase by condemnation or
otherwise Of not less than 500 acres Of land
at not exceeding $50 per acre in Pearl
Harbor. Hawaiian Islands, for coaEng
and repair station So. 600; and for dredr-
lag thu bar in said harbor to secure a
channel of not less than 50 feet in depth.
$4,000; in all S145.o59''
Mr.. Spoouer suggested that The amend
ment was loosely drawn. He contended
that the Hawaiian Islands had not yet
become a part Of the United tSates and
that the land could not under existing cir
cumstanCes be condemned On his sug-
gestion the amendment was 50 changed
as TO make the condemnation conditional
upon its beng practicable.
Mr.. Alien con,ended that the tile was
a mere easement terminating with the rec
iprocity treaty. Messrs. Hale and Sponner
con5ended that Il was an absolute grant.
Hale admitted that It was practically val
ueless without the power to make i'm
p0ovemeDts and secure adjoining land
The amendment was agreed TO.
Mr.. Petugrew secured the adoption OF
an amendment locating one Of the pro
posed United States iais in the indian
Territory at Waggoner. instead OF a. Mus
kogee.
Mr.. Morgan offered an amendment pro-
vid.ng for commission to settle the in
debtedness Of the government growing our
CT is assistance IN the construction Of
the Pacific railways and providing further
that the funds secured be applied 20 the
construction os ship canal through
Nicaragua
The bin as amended was passed without
division AFTER he passage OF the de-
hciency bin the joint resolution for the
annexation OF Hawaii was taken Up and
Mr.. Caffery was recognized 20 conf ~
his speech n opposj tion 10 the resolution.
A. 5:09 p. n. Mr.. CaIery having con
cluded, the senate, On motion OF Mr. Da-
Wis, in charge % the resolution. went into
executive session and 3; ?. n. adj burned.