The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-05
PRIVATE BILLS ARE UP
But the Opposition in the
House FiIibusters.
KANSAS PACIFIC DEBATED
Government Ownership and
Senator Harris Involved.

ing the bills reported by the committee
On claims, was not reached, the whole day
being consumed in passing eighteen of the
twenty-four private pension bills favor
ably acted upon by the house at the ses-
sion last Friday night. During the con-
Hideration of one of the bills, an interest
ing discussion of the approaching sale Of
the Kansas Pacific road, set for February
IL, was precipitated by Mr.. Fleming (Dem.)
of Georgia, who, with his Democratic col
leagues, resisted legislation to require the
president to bid the sum amount of the
debt, principal and interest. Mr.. Powers,
chairman of the Pacific railroads COM
mittee, contended that the real purpose Of
the opposition was to compel the govern
nent to take the road and operate it. He
said he thought the administration, which
had secured every dollar owing from the
Union Pacific, could be safely trusted to
protect the governments interest at the
sale of the Kansas Pacific.
Washington, Feb. An the house to-
day a bill was passed to amend the act
of January 81, 1895, granting rights-of-way
through the public domain for tramways,
rights for cities and private corporations.
AT present the rights-of-way are given
only for mining and irrigation purposes.
KANSAS PACIFIC BILL.
Mr.. Fleming (Dem.) of Georgia asked
unanimous consent to set aside next Mon
day for the consideration Of the bill re-
ported by the Pacific railroad committee
TO grant additional powers to the presi-
dent in the matter of the sale of the Kan
Bas Pacific road. The sale was to take
place February II, he said, and it was i'm
portant, if anything was to be done, that
it should be done at once.
Mr.. Powers (Rep.) of Vermont, chair
man of the Pacific railroad committee,
said the consideration of the bill would
be a waste of time, as it had already been
demonstrated that the senate would not
pass a similar measure.
''You are chairman of the committee
that reported the BILL" said Mr.. Fleming.
SIS it not meritorious enough to receive
consideration"
1.-The bill is harmless replied Mr.. Pow
ers. 1.-The president already has suf-
iicient power"
But he distinctly asked for additional
powers in his message" retorted Mr..
Fleming.
Mr. shattuck Rep) of Ohio then OBJ
iected to Mr.. Fleming's request. A con-
i1ict then occurred between the appropria-
tions committee and the committee on
claims
This was private bill day, under the
rules. but the appropriations committee
decided to proceed with the Notifications
appropriations bill and contested the
right of way with the claims committee.
The appropriations committee was de-
feated on a roll call. ia to 1873, and tide
house proceeded to the consideration of
private bills.
PRIVATE PENSION BILLS.
The private pension bills favorably
acted upon at the session last Friday
night were first considered.
Mr.. Hopkins CRep.) of Illinois demanded
the reading Of the report on the first bill
and followed it with some desultory de-
bate upon the measure. The Democrats,
led by Mr.. Richardson Dem.) of Ten
nessee, who were anxious to reach the
private calendar charged that it was the
purpose of the majority to filibuster away
the enter day in passing the pension bills,
which, he said, could be passed in five
minutes II the opposition were withdrawn.
Mr.. Ray CRep) of New Hampshire and
other Republicans denied any disposition
to fillbuster but they continued to prolong
the debate.
ROAST ON SENATOR HARRIS.
Mr.. Fleming Oem.) of Georgia, during
the consideration of one of the pension
bills, took advantage of the latitude al
az
of protecting the government interest at
the approaching sale of the Kansas Pa
cifc road. The claim of the government,
he said. was over $1SOOO,OOO. and while it
was claimed that the road could be
paralleled for sS0O0.OOO he said that the
engineer who built the road. Senator Har-
ris of Kansas, estimated its value at from
SIS, Oo0 600 to S3O.OO0OOO. The average earn
ings of the road 70 rthe past ten years,
Sl255,675, were per cent interest on $780,
O00.OOo
Mr.. Shattuck CRep) of Ohio said that
while Senator Harris might be a very
competent civil engineer. he knew no more
about computing the earnings or value of
ii railroad than the portrait alongside of
the speakers chair.
did you hear his speech on the Pacific
roads?" asked Mr.. Shafroth CSn-Rep1 of
Colorado
Il read it" replied Mr. shattuck. land
there is nothing in II. It was wind moth
ing more
Mr.. Fleming said that Senator Harris,
by the facts he had furnished the govern
uent had saved the treasury s27. oO0. 900 on
the sale Of the Union Pacific.
THE press of the country built fire
under the administration" said he, "and
forced 1T TO act
CAN'T GET RECOGNITION.
Mr.. Fleming said he had appealed to the
speaker and TO Mr.. Powers, the chairman
of the Pacific railroad committee to aid
the consideration OF the measure reported
by the committee.
They were both courteous said Mr.
Fleming, but failed 10 set the speaker
10 use his influence with Mr.. Powers OF
Mr.. Powers to use his influence with the
speaker. On yesterday I tried to get re-
cofgnition from the speaker. Today wher
I aid get recognition it availed nothing
because the chairman of the committee
Mr.. Powers. said he would object"
Continuing Mr.. Fleming said he did not
consider il commensurate with the dig
nifty of the house 10 waive aside indf
ferently the millions involved. II the sal,
took place and the government only bio
the principal of the debt the RESPONSE
bility would be on the majority.
The only hope that remained he said
lay in the pressure that could force tn,
administration as it did in the case q