The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-05
THE GOVERNMENTS BID
IT SHOULD INCLUDE PRINCIPAL
AND INTEREST,".
SENATOR HARRIS's EXPOSE or FRAUD
As Engineer Who Built Road. He Says it Is
Worth Over s25, 900, 0OO-- Senator Harris
Gave Figures Which Upset Union
Pacific Steal.

Washington, Feb. 4.-This was private
bill day in the House but by systemat-
ic filibustering the private calendar con
taining the bills reported by the com
mittees on claims was not reached, the
whole day being consumed in passing
eighteen of the twenty four private pen
sion bills favorably acted upon by the
House at the session last Friday night.
During the consideration of one of the
bills an interesting discussion of the
approaching sale of the Kansas Pacific
railroad, set for February II, was pre-.
cipitated by Mr.. Fleming, Dem.. Ga. j,
who with his Democratic colleagues, de
sired legislation to require the President
to bid the full amount of the debt. prin-
cipal and interest.
The claim of the government, he said,
was over $13,000,000 and while it was
claimed that the road could be parallel
ed for S3,000,000, he said that the en-
gneer who built the road, Senator Har-
ris, of Kansas, estimated it's value ut
from $25,000,000 to $30000,000 The
average earnings of the road for the past
ten years, 81 ,255, $50, We're four per
cent interest on $30,000,000.
Mr. Shattuc. Rep., Ohio, said that
while Senator Harris might be- a very
competent civil engineer he knew no
more about computing the earnings or
value of railroad than the portrait
alongside of the speakers chair
did you hear his speech on the Pa.
cific roads, asked Mr.. tS1afroth (Sil-
yer Republican, Colorado)
Il read it," replied Mr.. Shattuc. "and
there was nothing indt. 1t was wind,
nothing more"
Mr.. Fleming said Senator Harris, by
the figs he had furnished the govern
ment had saved the Treasury $27 ,00O,-
900 on the sale of the Union Pacific.
The press of the country built a fire
under the administration, said ne, land
forced it to act"
Mr.. Fleming said he had appealed TO
the Speaker and to Mr. Powers. the
chairman of the Pacific Railroad Com
mittce, to aid the consideration of the
measure reported by the committee.
They We're both courteous" said Mr..
Fleming, but l failed to get the Speak
er To Use his influence with Mr.. Powers,
or Mr.. Powers to use his influence with
the Speaker. On yesterday | tried to get
recognition from the Speaker. j caught
his natural eye, hut | failed to catch
his official eye. To-day when ! did get
recognition it availeI nothing because
the chairman of the committee, Mr..
Powers, said he would object"
Continuing Mr.. Fleming said he did
not think it commensurate with the dig
nifty of the House to wave aside indif-
ferently the millions involved. If the
sale took place and the government on
~ bid the principal of the debt the re-
sp0nsiblity would be on the majority.
The only hope that remained, he said in
conclusion, lay in the press. 1t could
force the administration as it did in
the case of the Union Pacific.
Mr.. Powers, Rep., Vermont, chair
man of the Pacific Railroad Committee,
denied that he had stated earlier in the
day that the administration desired no
further legislation. He alleged that the
Whole purpose of those who were oppos-
ing the sale was the government owner
ship and operation of railroads.
Mr.. Bailey, (Dem., Texas, objected to
Mr. POwers's statement of the position
of the Democrats. He said it was not
IL question of sacrificing the government S
debt or government ownership and oper-
alton of railroads. ''On this side" said
he, we believe the government can col
lect the debt and as prudent creditor
that it should collect every dollar of it. "
Continuing Mr. Powers said he did not
believe the administration should be re-
qlrired to bid the full amount of the
debt, principal and interest. The officers
of the government had full knowledge
and I.e was willing to trust the matter
to the officials who had obtained every
dollar due from the Union Pacific.
Mr.. Hooker, (Rep., n. W, arose to a
question of personal privilege just prior
to adjournment to vindicate himself
from some charges in connection with
the contest for the postmastership of
jamestown, y. Y. That vindication, he
explained, had beem unanimously ac-
corded him this afternoon by the Senate
Committee on Postoftices and Post
Roads.
AT 5 p. N. the House recessed until
3 o'clock, the evening session being de-
voted to the consideration of private
pennsion bills.
THE VIZCAYA,G V0yAGE