The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-02-25
ABTa STEAL.

eiic vas sold in Topeka on Thursday,
February II, for s6,3O3,OOO, the amount
Of the first mortgage bonds This sale,
If confirmed, freezes out the govern
msnt claim Of $4,000 and 81, 724sOOO
Of third mortgage bonds held By Pri-
vste parties.
1t is understood that the Vanderbilt
Morgan combine was the real purchas-
ers. There was only one bidder, Alvin
W. Krech, representing the reorgaDiz-
alton committee, the same combine as
purchased the main line, and now we'll
known to be the Vanderbilt Morgan
people.
II will be remembered that in the
case OF the former sale, that public in
dignation forced the administration to
take action looking to the protection
OF the governments interest, and that
IS q result the price was raised several
millions, the government coming out
whole or nearly so.
1t was supposed this would be done
in the case Of the Kansas branch. To
this end congress empowered President
Mckinley, through Attorney General
Griggs, to bid in the road if necessary
to protect the peoples interests. But
no one appeared for the government
and no bid was made. This was not
an oversight nor an accident
It would appear as though there was
a we'll understood collision, and the
president or his attorney general. one
or both, were accessory, before the
fact, to this gigantic steal. Perhaps
it was allowed, to pay an anti election
debt for campaign funds contributed.
This was headed of in the first sale,
but in the last sale they are allowed to
re coup themselves, Mckinley simply
letting the whole matter 60 by default.
He didn't steal, oh no! but while he
had the power to prevent it, he simply
kept out Of sight.
That it was barefaced steal the fol
lowing facts viii show. For 20 years
the net earnings Of the Kansas Pacific
has been equal to the payment Of per
cent on 100000. Besides the rail-
way and all its appurtenances, there
were millions Of acres Of land went in
with this transfer. The Vanderbilts
viii have a prineeIy domain. They, it
is said, now have the New York Cen
trail and Hudson River railway, the
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern,
the Chicago and Northwestern, the IN
ion and Kansas Pacific, the Oregon
Short Line, etc.-12,OOO miles of road
and an empire Of land.
This great nillionire family and
combine are allowed to make a scoop
Of nearly 100000 at the expense Of
the American people. The third mort
gage bonds were probably bought up be
forehand SO that the government is the
only lOoser. Attorney General Griggs
has an unenviable record in New
Jersey, before his recent appointment
TO his cabinet position, as special at
tOrney and promoter Of the interests
Of corporations and trusts. In other
words, if reports are true, his record is
rotten. His recent inactivity in the
case Of the Kansas Pacific sale is no
surprise to those familiar with his
previous unsavOry reputation.
There was a hot discussion in the
senate on the very day Of the sale and
the following resolution was adopted
BY a vote of 81 to @:
Resolved, as the opinion of the sen
ate, That the sale Of the Kansas Paci-
&c division Of the Pacific railroads
made today, ought not to be confirm
ed, except upon the terms that the
original claims and the interest there
on due to the United States from said
railroad company Of the Kansas Paci-
&c division. be paid in full by the bid
ders.n
During the debate, Senator Harris
Of Kansas read a telegram from Tope-
ka that Immediately after the sale a
special messenger was dispatched to
st. Louis to have Judge Sanborn to
confirm the sale in the morning. The
haste was plain evidence Of the steal.
1t is to be hoped that it may be headed
OF before confirmation Of sale.