The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-05
FILIBUsTER IN THE HOUSE.
Also IL Debate Over Government Own
erShin of RaflMRNs.

WASHINGTON Feb. 4.--This was pri
vate bill day in the House, but by SYSTEM
attic filbustering the private calendar con-
tanning the bills reported by the committee
on claims was not reached, the whole day
being occupied in passing eighteen of the
twenty-four private pension bills favorably
acted on by the House at the session last
Friday night. During consideration of one
of the bills an interesting discussion on the
approaching sale of the Kansas Pacific
road, set for Feb. II. was 'precipitated by
Mr.. Fleming Dem., Ga.), who, with his
Democratic colleagues, desired legislation
to require the President to bid for the full
amount of the debt, principal and interest.
Mr.. Powers chairman of the Pacific rail-
road committee, commended that the real
purpose of the opposition was to compel
the government to take the road and OPP
crate it, He said he thought the admins
tration, 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.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Fleming
said the claim of the government was over
$13, 000, COO, while, it was asserted the road
could be paralleled for $3,0O0000. He also
said the engineer who built the road, Sena-
tor Harris, of Kansas. estimated it's value
at from $25 0O0, 900 to $50, 100000 The average
earnings of the road for the past ten years,
81, 255,675, We're 4 per cent. interest on $780,
900.
Mr. Shattuc (Rep., o. said that while
Senator Harris might be very competent
civil engineer, he knew no more about com
putting the earnings or value of railroad
than the portrait alongside the speakers
chair.
did you hear his speech on the Pacific
roads?" asked Mr.. Shafroth (Silver Rep,
COLI
II read it, replied Mr. Shattuc, land
there is nothing in it. 1t was wind, moth
ing more"
Mr.. Fleming said Senator Harris, by the
facts he had furnished the government, had
saved the treasury $27000,000 on the sale of
Union Pacific. 1.-The press of the country
built fire under the administration, said
he, land forced it to act" Mr.. Fleming
said he had appealed to the speaker and to
Mr.. Powers, the chairman of the commit
tee, to aid consideration of the measure re-
ported by the committee. ''They were both
courteous" said Mr.. Fleming. but l failed
to get the speaker to use his influence with
Mr.. Powers or Mr.. Powers to use his infu-
ence with the spalSer. On yesterday / tried
to get recognition from the speaker. L
caught his natural eye but | failed to catch
his official eye. To-day when / did get
recognition it availed nothing, because the
chairman of the committee (Mr Powers)
said he would object" Continuing Mr..
Fleming said he did not think it CONNER
surate with the dignity of the House to
wave aside indifferently the millions in
voved If the sale took place and the gov
eminent only bid the principal of the debt
the responsibility would be on the majority.
The only hope that remained, he said, in
conclusion, lay in the press. 1t could force
the administration, as 1t did IN the case of
tho Union Pacific,
Mr.. Mcguire (Dem., CALI said the law re-
quired that the government should collect
the full amount of the debt or take the
road, and he believed the law should be
obeyed.
I'm other words you want government
ownership of railroads" interposed Mr..
Il want to collect the government debt"
replied Mr.. Mcguire. I'VE had better have
government ownership of railroads than
railroad ownership of government" cried
Mr.. Terry Dem., Ark
Mr. Powers denied that he stated earlier
in the day that the administration desired
no further legislation. He alleged that the
whole purpose of those who were opposing
the sale was the government ownership and
operation of railroads.
"The gentleman has heard me to little
purpose for the last five years" interrupted
Mr. Mcguire "if he imagines | desire gov
eminent operation of railroads. i am in
favor of the government owning the high
ways of commerce, but not of operating
trains any more than wagons;
Il am glad the gentleman has made his
proposition more ridiculous than l could.
observed Mr.. Powers.
Mr.. Bailey (Dem., Tex) objected to Mr.
Powers's statement of the position of the
Democrats. He said it was not question
of sacrificing the governments debt or gov
eminent ownership and operation OF rail-
roads. ION this side, he said, we believe
the government can collect the debt, ana,
as a prudent creditor, that it should collect
every dollar of it.
Continuing, Mr.. Powers said he did not
believe the administration should be re-
duired to bid the full amount of the debt
principal and interest. The officers of the
government had full knowledge, and he was
willing TO trust the matter to the officials
who had obtained every dollar due from the
Union Pacific.
At D. m. the House took a recess until
O'clock the evening session to be devoted
to consideration OF private pension bills
During the session nineteen private pen
sion bills were favorably acted on, includ-
Gen Mortimer ID. Leggett. The evening
was enlivened by tilt between Mr.. Norton,
of Ohio and Mr.. Ray, of New York. The
formers criticism of the Pension Bureau
was replied to by Mr.. Ray in such a man
ner as to draw from Mr.. Norton a heated
reply. At 1879 the House adjourned until
tomorrow.
Ex-City Attorney Pardonec.
HARRISBURG. Pa, Feb. 4.--Governor
Hastings granted Il pardon to-day to eS-
City Attorney William G. MOreland. of
Pittsburg, who is serving three years IN the
Western Penitentiary for embeZzling city
~.