The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-06

ment was postponed first 10 December Is.
/ 1897, and later, upon the application OF the
| United States, was postponed to Febru-
airy 16. 1895
| Having satisfied myself that the inter-
ests OF the government required. and that
an effort should be made TO secure a
larger sum. directed the secretary Of the
treasury, under the act passed March 3.
1871 TO pay out OF the treasury 10 the per-
sons entitled TO receive the same. the
amounts due upon all prior mortgages
upon the middle and eastern divisions of
said railroad out OF any money in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated
whereupon. the attorney general pre-
pared a petition 90 be presented 10 the
court Offering to redeem said prior liens
in such manner as the court might d.
rect. and praying that rhereupon the
United States might be held 20 be sub
rogated TO all the rights of said prior
lien holders. and that a receiver might
be appointed 20 take possession OF the
mortgaged premises and maintain and
operate the same until the court or con-
gress otherwise directed. Thereupon the
reorganization committee agreed thai II
said petition was Withdrawn and the sale
allowed 10 proceed on February is they
would bid sum ar tne sale which you'd
realize to the government the entire prin-
cipal OF its debt, s6,So3,0c0
Believing that no better price could De
obtained and approaching the difficulties
under which the government would labor
If II should become the purchaser OF the
road at a sale, in the absence of any au-
thority by congress to take charge Of and
operate the -oad, directed that upon the
guaranty of a minimum bid. which should
the government the principal OF It's DEBT,
the sale should proceed. BY this transac-
ton the government secured an advance
Of s.. $50 COCO over and above the sum which
the court had fixed as the upset price. and
which the reorganization committee had
declared was the maximum which they
would pay for the property.
1t is a gratifying fact that the result OF
these proceedings against the Union Pa
cifc system and the Kansas Pacific line is
that the government has received on &C
count of its subsidy claim the sum of s64,
81, %. 70. an increase of s1S.sa7. 1873 over
the sum which the reorganization commit
tee originally agreed TO bid for the joint
property. the government receiving It's
whole claim, principal and interest in
Union Pacific and the principal of Us ceot
on the Kansas Pacific railroad.
Steps had been taken 20 foreclose the
governments lien upon the Central Pacific
Railroad company. but before action was
commenced congress passed an act aD-
proved July :. 1893. creating a committee,
consisting of the secretary Of the treasury.
the attorney general and the secretary of
the interior and their successors in Office.
with fur power to settle the indebtedness
TO the government growing out Of the is
sue Of bonds in aid Of construction OF the
Central Pacific and Western Pacific bond
aided railroads. subject to the approval Of
the president.
No report has yet been made 10 me bv
the committee thus created. Whatever
action is held looking to a settlement of
the Indebtedness in accordance with the
act referred to will 60 duly submitted TO
congress.
DEPARTMENT IS ILL-HOUSED.
I deem II my duty to can TO the atten-
ton of congress the condition OF the build
ing now occupied by the department of
justice. The business of that deSartment
has increased greatly since il was estab-
lished in its present quarters. The build
ing now occupied by it is neither large
enough nor OF suitable arrangement for
the proper accommodation of The business
of the department. The supervising archi-
tect has pronounced it unsafe and insult
cd for the use to which it is put. The at
torney general in his report states that
the library of the department is on the
fourth floor and that all the space -loted
10 it Is so crowded with books as to dan
gerousiy overload the structure. The first
floor is now occupied by the court OF
claims. The building is of an old and
dilapidated appearance unsuited TO the
dignity which should attach 10 this impor-
tant department.
A proper regard for the safety. comfort
and convenience Of the officers and en-
ployes would justify the expenditure OF a |
liberal sum OF money in the erection OF
new building OF commodious proportions
and handsome appearance upon the verv
advantageous site already secured for that
purpose. including the ground now Occu-
pied by the present structure and vacant
lots adjoining It. comprising in all a front /
age Of POI feet on Pennsylvania avenue and !
a depth of 13G feet.
ALSO THE SUPREME COURT.
In this connection I may likewise refer |
to the inadequate accommodate tons pro- I
vided for the supreme court in the Capitol I
and suggest the wisdom Of making provi- /
sion for the erection of separate build |
ing for the court and its officers and IL /
brary upon available ground near the Cap /
.toL