The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-16
THEY ASK FOR THE PAPERS.
SENATOR'S REQUEST INFORMATION
FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Kansas Pacific Resolution II Passed,
After Dixcussion-Harris Charges
That the Government Is About to
Lose Nearly $4,000 in Interest.

WASHINGTON, Feb. IA resolution OF
inquiry offered yesterday by Harris Of
Kansas precipItated a spirited discussion
of the Pacific railroad question In the SEN
ate today. The resolution called upon the
attorney general for the reasons which IN
Guced him to abandon his plan Of redeem
ing the first mortgage bonds OF the Kansas
Pacific branch of the Union Pacific and
having the road operated by receiver.
Harris denounced the present plan TO sell
the road at the bid of the reorganization
committee as defrauding the government
out OF nearly $4,000.
Foraker explained the view taken of the
matter by the administration. showing the
President was convinced the reorganiza-
ton committee proposed 10 pay for the
road all that It was worth. The resolution
was finally passed in amended form
Pettus of Alabama secured the passage
OF resolution requesting the president. II
not Incompatible with public interest. 10
inform the senate what action had been
taken In reference TO the murder OF Sc
gundo y. Lopez, a citiZen of the United
States, on April II. 1895 in the district Of
Santiago de Cuba by armed soldiers OF
Spain.
Harris resolution was laid before the
senate.
Chandler said he had no objections 10
the resolution, but did not approve of the
prea mble which included a press dispatch.
Harris replied that he might not insist
on the preamble. after he had made a
statement. The Union Pacific. he said, for
a long time had attempted 10 influence
congress and officials OF the administra-
ton to scale down the debt Of that COM
pany to the government about 50 per
cent Until a year ago last January the
company had been unsuccessful. AT that
time they made an agreement with Cleve-
lands administration by which the road
was 10 be disposed 81 with a loss TO the
government of about s2S.eta.sD. Harris
then outlined the reasons why That ar
rangernent had not been carried into ef-
feet Pubic sentiment was aroused from
Maine TO California. TIE demand Of the
people he said. being that they should not
be swindIsd out OF the enormous sum snen-
toned When the present administration
came into power the question WAS grap-
pied with ana the government finally OBJ
tained every cent due from the Union Pa
ciiic on the main line.
I'VE were all very glad" said Harris
..that the government received It's just due,
and nobody more sincerely congratulated
the administration upon the success'oi me-
gotiation OF the transaction than l. IL u
also hoped that the government viii get
the fun amount Of the debt due from the
Kansas branch. II the REORGANIZATION
committee declines 20 pay the fuil amount
due about sl3 oaal go II - the understand
ing that the government shall redeem the
first mortgage bonds and have me ROAD
operated by a receiver. A competent re-
ceiyer would show the value OF the prop
arty which | believe IS quite S9.Ha.Vt.
The reorganization committee has sSlaent-
IL succeeded 80 obtaining from the Attof-
nev general such concessions as outlined
in the Associated Press dispatches and
the government II 70 stand ids ~ ana see
the enormous sum Of ss,7u0 $50 OF interest
sacrificed. The value 81 the property ID a
most important consideration Iiy the re-
organization committee and By the Union
Pacific officials All effort has been made 10
minimize the value OF the road.
1T Is particUplariv significant that the
statements Of the reorganiza sfon commit
tee and the officials OF the Union Pacific
regarding the value Of the main line have
been proved 5y subsequent events 20 be I'M
from Missouri (NesD. When they speak
they lie. and when they are silent they
steal.
Harris then discussed the value Of the
Kansas Pacific road. and said that having
been a evil engineer on the line. hls In
formation was that If an expert, lie said
that daring the last eleven years the line
had earned an amount TO per cent Of
tne sso.opo He further said that on the
9Th inst. tho attorney general had agreed
70 redeem the first mortgage bonds and
10 have the road operated by q receiver
This arrangements. Harris said, was per-
fectly sattsfa ctory 70 those for whom he
spoke. but the intention Of the attorney
general to abandon that plan and 10 let
the read 60 with . loss 10 the government
OF nearly Sos 60 was rot oaIy ! surprise
20 him and others. but absolutely unSatls-
factory Harris maintained that tn. Kan
sss Pacific road was worth the last cent
az the governments claim. and THAT Il,
ought to De aerna nded BY the attorney gen.
eTai.
Turpie Their offered the following reso-
luton, ard asked that II he over until TO-
morrow.
Resolved. Tf1s. 4 IS the opinion OF the
4s-gaiss that tie sale 81 the Kansas Psclfie
division Of th@ Union Pacific road made
To-Day ought not 70 be confirmed except
ug~srs the terms shat fae original claim
ana sns interest due theron from tire said
railway company OF the Kansas Pscif}c d.
/ vision be paid IN fun by the psdasrs.
| Ceays asesl3n - refer TIE resolution 10