The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-05
THEY SPAR AND PUNCH
Fleming of Georgia Enters the
Ring With Powers of Vermont.
TWAS NO FAKE FIGHT
Fleming Appeals to the Press to Start
Another Fire Under McKinley's
Chair and Roast Him Into
Doing the Right Thing.

bill day in the mouse, bu4 ny SHStSthohO
filibustering the private calendar con-
tanning the bills reported by the com
mittee on claims was not reached, the
whole day being consumed in passing Is
of the "a private pension bills, faVorably
acted upon by the house at the session
last Friday night. During the consid-
Grafton of one of the bills an interest
ing discussion of the approaching sale
of the Kansas Pacific. set Tor Fep. H.
was precipitated by Mr. Fleming, dem,
Ga who with his democratic col
leagues. desired legislation to require
the president to bid the full amount OF
debt, principal and interest.
Mr.. Powers. chairman of the Pacific
railroad committee. contended that the
real purpose of the opposition was 10
compel the government 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.
A bill was passed TO amend the act of
Ian. 81. 1895, granting rights of way
through the public domain for tram
ways, canals and reservoirs so as 10
grant those rights for cities and private
corporations. At present the rights OF
way are given only for mining and irri-
eating purposes.
Fleming, dem, Ga, asked unanimous
consent to set aside next Monday for
consideration of a bill To grant add
tional powers to the president in the
matter OF the sale of the Kansas Pacific
railroad.
Powers rep. VT, chairman of the
Pacific railroad committee, said consid-
Grafton of the bill would be a waste of
time and II had already been demon
strated that the senate would not pass
"A similar measure
Shattuck rep. Ohio, objected TO Flem-
iug's request A conflict occurred be-
tween the appropriation committee and
the committee on claims. This was pfl-
vate bill day under the rules, but the
appropriation committee desired to pro-
coed with the Notifications bill and con-
tested the right of way with the claims
committee. The appropriations COM
mittee was defeated on the roll call and
the house proceeded to the consideration
of private bills.
The private pension bills favorably
acted on at the session last Friday night
were the first considered. Mr. Hopkins,
rep ILL.,. demanded the reading of the
report on the first bill and followed II
with some desultory debate upon the
measure. The democrats, led by Mr..
Richardson, dem, Tenn. who We're anXi-
Gus to reach the private calendar,
charged that it was the purpose Of the
majority to filibuster away the entire
day in passing pension bills which,
Richardson said, could be passed in
five minutes if the opposition We're with
drawn.
publicans denied any disposition to fill
buster, but they continued 10 prolong
the debate.
Mr.. Fleming dem. Ca. during the
consideration of one of the pension bills.
took advantage of the latitude allowed
for debate to discuss the question of
protecting the governments interest at
the approaching sale of the Kansas Pa
cific railroad The claim of the govern
ment, he said, exceeded $40, 000,0 900. while
il was claimed the road could be paral-
leled for $3,000,000. He said that the en-
gineer who built the road, Senator Har-
Tis of Kansas, estimated the value at
from s25. 600. 900 to $50o00.000. The ave-
rage earnings of the road for the past
10 years, s., 255, 615, We're per cent. in
terest on $30.000e00.
Mr. Shattuck, rep. ohio, said while
Senator Harris might be a very compe-
tent civil engineer he knew no more
about computing earnings or value of a
railroad than the posts alongside the
speakers chair.
Did you hear his speech on the Pa
cific railroads. asked Mr.. Shafroth,
silver republican of Colorado.
Il read it," replied Mr. Shattuck
land there is nothing in it. 1t was
wind nothing more"
Mr.. Fleming said Senator Harris, by
the facts he had furnished the govern
ment. had saved the treasury ST. 600, 00'
on the sale of the Union Pacific. The
press of the country built fire under
the administration said he, 'ane
forced ii to act"
Mr.. Fleming said he had appealed I,
the speaker and to Mr.. Powers, tbs
chairman of the Pacific railroad com
Inittee. to aid in the consideration %
the measure reported by the committee
They were both courteous" said Mr.
Fleming, but failed To get the speak
er to use his influence with Mr. Powers
or Mr.. Powers to use his influence Will
the speaker. On yesterday l tried I,
get recognition from the speaker. To
day when / did get recognition ]
awaited nothing. because the chairman
of the committee, Mr.. Powers, said h
would object"
Continuing. Mr.. Fleming said he iii,
not consider it commensurate with tn
dignity of the house to waive aside in
differently the millions involved. If TIN
sale took place and the government
only bid the principal of the debt. TIN
responsibility would be with the ma
1ority. The only hope that remained
he said. lay in the press. 1t could fore
the administration. as il did in tn
case of the Union Pacific.
Mr. Mcguire, dem. Cal. said the Law
required that the government Shouts
collect the full amount of the deb
or take the road. and he believed TIL
law should be obeyed.
In other words, you want govern
ment ownership OF railroads" inter
posed Mr.. Dalzell. rep, Pa.
7 want to collect the government
debt replied Mr.. Mcguire
We had better have government
ownership of railroads than railroa
ownership of government" cried Nj
Terry, dem, Ark.
Mr.. Powers. rep, Vt, denied that Il
had stated earlier in the day that til
administration desired no further leg
islation. He alleged that the Who'll