New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-05
SALE OF KANSAS PACIFIC.
AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION IN THE
HOUSE.
APPARENT ATTEMPT ON THE PART or THE
DEMOCRATS TO FORCE GOVERNMENT

OWNERSHIP OF THE ROAD.
Washington Feb 4-This private bill day ir
the House. but by systematic hlibustering the pri
vate calendar containing the bills reported by the
Committee Claims not reached. the whole
day being consumed in passing eighteen OF the
twenty-four private pension bills favorably acted
on by the House at the session last Friday night
During tho consideration OF one OF the bills, dis
cusslon of the approaching sale OF the Kansas Pa
cihc road. set for February II. was precipitated
Mr. Fleming dem. Ca took advantage OF the
latitude allowed for debate to discuss the question
Of protecting the Governments interest at the APP
preaching sale OF the road The claim Of the Gov
eminent. he said. over 100000. and while II
was asserted that the road could be paraeled for
10000 the engineer who built the road. Senator
Harris Of Kansas estimated its value at from S25.-
cop1 TO S0.000N0. The average earnings OF the
road for the last ten years N,25,s75. were per
cent interest on 100000
Mr. Shattuc rep. Ohio said that while Senator
Harris might be n competent civil engineer he
knew more about computing the earnings or
value OF a railroad than the portrait alongside OF
the Speakers chair
did you hear his speech on the Pacific roads,
asked Mr. Shafroth ISL. Rep. Col.).
81 read IT," replied Mr. shat,uc "and there was
nothing in It. 1t was wind nothing more"
Mr.. Fleming said that Senator Harris by the
facts h had furnished to the Government had
saved the Treasury $1,000 600 on the sale OF the
Union Pacific. THE press Of the country built a
FIRE under the Administrator said he land
forced IT to act" Mr. Fleming said he had ap-
pealed TO the Speaker and 10 Mr.. Powers tho
chairman Of the Pacific Railroad Committee, to aid
the considerable Of the measure reported by the
committee. They both courteous" said Mr.
Fleming. but / failed TO get the Speaker to use
his influence with Mr.. Powers Mr.. Powers to
use his Influence with the Speaker. Yesterday
tried TO get recognition from the Speaker.
caught his natural eye. but | failed to catch his
official eye. To-day when did get recognition 1t
availod nothing. because the chairman of the com
mittee. Mr.. Powers. said he would object"
Continuing. Mr.. Fleming said ne did not think
it commensurate with the dignity Of the House TO
wave aside indferenty the millions involved. II
the sale took place and the Government only bid
tho principal Of the debt the responsibility would
be on the majority. The only hope that remaned
force the Administration as IT did In the case OF
the Union Pacinc
Mr. Mcguire Dem. Cal) said that the law re;
qured that the Government should collect the iull
amount of the debt take the road, and he be-
lieyed the law should be obeyed ....
In other words. you want Government owner
ship OF Railroads.&c. interposed Mr.. Dalzell Rep.
Il want to collect the Government debt" replied
Mr.. Mcguire.
railroads than railroad ownership of Government
cried Mr.. Terry Dem, Ark.l. -
Mr.. Powers (Rep, Vi. chairman OF the Pacific
Railroad Committee. denied that he had said earlier
in the day that the Administration desired no fur
ther legislation lie alleged that inc "hole puiIose
OF those who were opposing the sale was the Gov
eminent ownership and operation Of railroads
THE gentleman has heard me 10 little purpose
for the last five years" interrupted Mr.. Mcguire.
III he ina gnes l desire Government operation OF
railroads. ] in favor of the Government own
ing the highways Of commerce. but not OF operating
trains any than wagons
Il am glad the gentleman has made his PROPOSE
ton more ridiculous than could observed Mr..
Powers.
Mr.. Bailey Dem. Tex objected 70 Mr. Powers
statement of the position ~ the Democrats He
said IL not a question Of sacrificing the Gov
IN nd
ton of railroads. "On this side said he. we be-
llevc the Government collect the debt, and as
prudent creditor that IT should collect every dol
lar OF IT,"
Continuing. Mr. Powers said he did not believe
the Administration should be required TO bid the
fun amount OF the debt. principal and interest.
The officers Of the Government had full knowledge,
and H. willing trust the matter to the OH
cals who had obtained every dollar due from the
Union Pacific.
At y. m. the House took recess until o'clock.
the evening session being devoted to the consdera-
ton OF private pension bills