The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-05
THE HOUSE.
The Whole Day Devoted to Passing
Eighteen Pension BiIIs.


Eighteen Pension BiIIs.
Washington, February 4.--This was pri-
vate bill day in the house, but by syste-
matte filibustering the private calendar
containing the bills reported by the COM
mittee on claims was not reached, tho
whole day being consumed in passing
eighteen of the twenty four pension bills
favoraby reported by the house at the Sos
sion last Friday night. During the con-
sideration of one of the bills an interest
ing discussion Of the approaching sale OF
the Kansas Pacific was precipitated by Mr..
Fleming, who desired legislation to re-
quire the president to bid the full amount
OF the debt, principal and interest Mr..
Powers chairman of the Pacific committee
contended that the real purpose of the
opposition was to compel the government
to take the road and operate it. He said
he thought the administration, which had
secured every dollar from the Union Pa
cific. could be safely entrusted TO protect
the government at the sale of the Kansas
Pacific.
Washington, February AIN the house
today a bill was passed to amend the act
of January 81, 1895, granting rights of way
through the public domain for tramways,
canals and reservoirs. so as to grant those
rights for cities and private corporations.
At present the rights of way are given
only for mining and irrigation purposes
Mr.. Fleming (Dem., Ga.) asked unani-
nous consent to set aside next Monday for
the consideration of bill reported by the
Pacific railway committee TO grant add-'
tional powers to the president in the mat
ter of the sale of the Kansas Pacific rail-
| road. The sale was to take place Febru
AIRY IL, he said and it was Important IL
anything was TO be done that IL should he
done at once.
Mr.. Powers tRep,. VT. chairman of the
Pacific railway committee, said the con
sideration of the bill would be waste OF
time, as it had already been demonstrated
that the senate would not pass similar
measure.
you are chairman OF the committee that
| reported tho bill" said Mr. Fleming Is
| il not meritorious? Meritorious enough to
receive considerations"
THE bill is harmless" replied Mr..
Powers. THE president already has suiii-
Gent power"
But he distinctly asked for additional
power in his message retorted Mr.. Flen-
| ing.
Mr. Shattuc (Rep.. Ohio) then objected
TO Mr.. Flemings request. A conflict then
occurred between the appropriations COM
mittee and the committee on claims. This
was private bill day under the rules, but
| the appropriations committee decided 10
| proceed with the Notifications bill. and
contested the right OF way with the claims
| committee
The appropriations committee was dc
| teated on a call, ia to l13, and the mousse
| proceeded TO the consideration OF private
| bills.
The private pension bills favorably acted
on at the session last Friday night were
first considered.
Mr. Hopkins (Rep., Ill) demanded the
reading of the report on the first piil, ana
followed Il with some desultory debate on
the measure.
The democrats led by Mr.. Richardson
Dem. Tenn) who were anxious TO rea:h
the private calendar, charged that II was
the purpose OF the majority to filibusier
away the entire day In passing pension
bills which he said could be passed In five
minutes II the opposition we're Withdrawn,
Mr. Ray (Rep.. n. W and other repuh-
Iicans denied any disposition TO filibuster.
but they continued TO prolong the debate
Mr.. Fleming dem. Gal during the
consideration OF one OF the pension bills
took advantage of the latitude allowed for
debate to discuss the question OF protect-
ing the governments interest and pressed
tbe sale OF the Kansas Pacific railroad,
The claim OF the government, he said, was
about s19 900. 600, and while 1t was claimed
thar the road could be paralleled for
81. ooo. 600, he said that the engineer who
built the road Senator Harris Of Kansas,
estimated It's value at from S25.000.000 10
sac. 100000 The average earnings OF the
road for the past ten years, $l.255.bso, was
per cent ON the $40, 100000
;srhe press OF the country built fire
under the administration" said he and
forced it to act on the Union Pacific aues-
ton
speaker and to Mr., Powers 1.-THE chairman
OF the Pacific roads committeel 10 aid the
cons ideration OF the measure reported Dy
the committee.
They were both courteous said Mr..
Fleming but failed 70 get the speaker
10 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. caught
his natural eye, but failed 20 catch his
official eye. Today, when did set recoE-
pition. Il awaited nothing. becsuse the
chairman Of the nnpmfttes, NJ, fosers