The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-05

twenty-four private pension bills fav-
orably acted upon by the House at the
session last Friday night. During the
consideration of one of the bills an In
teresting discussion of the approach
Ing sale of the Kansas Pacific roaS.
set for February 17th, was precipitated
by Mr.. Fleming Dem.). of Georgia,
who. with his Democratic colleagues,
desired legislation TO require the Presi-
dent to bid the full amount of the debt,
principal and interest.
The claim OF the Government, he
said, was over $4,000, 900, and while It
was claimed that the road could be
paralleled for So, 900, 600, he said that
the engineer who built the road, Sena-
tor Harris. of Kansas, estimated it's
Safue at from s25,000,000 to $30.OO000O
The average earnings of the road for
per cent. interest on s30.000,000.
MI Shattuc Rep9, of Ohio, said that
while Senator Harris might be a very
competent civil engineer, he knew no
more about computing the earnings or
value of n railroad than the portrait
alongside of the Speakers chair
Did You hear his speech on the
Pacific roads?" asked Mr. Shafroth
(Silver Rep.). of Colorado
II read IT," replied Mr.. Shnttuc, land
there was nothing in 1t. 1t was wind
nothing more"
Mr.. Fleming said Senator Harris, by
the facts he had furnished the Govern
ment. had saved the Treasury $27, ,0OO.
OOo on the sale of the Union Pacific
The press of the country built a fire
under the administration" said he
and forced it to act"
Mr.. Fleming said he had appealed to
the Speaker and to Mr. Powers, the
chairman Of the Pacific railroad COM
mittee, 10 aid the consideration of the
& 4 CT tf-n -k.1
lhey were both courteous" said MIR.
Fieming, but I failed to get the
Speaker to use his influence with Mr..
fowers, or Mr.. Powers to use his in
tuence with the Speaker. Yesterday
tried TO get recognition from the
speaker. ] caught his natural eye.
nut tuiled to catch his official eye.
availed nothing because the chairman
OF the committee Mr.. Powers, said he
would object" Continuing, Mr.. Flem-
ihE said he did not think 1t common
surate with the dignity Of the House
10 wave aside indiirerently the mil
lions involved. If the sale took place
and the Government only bid the prin-
ciral OF the debt the responsibility
would be on the majority. The only
nope that remained, he said in con-
ciusion, lay in the press It could
iorce the administration, as 1t did In
the case of the Union Pacific.
Mr.. Powers Qeep.). of Vermont, chair
man of the Pacific railroad committee,
denied that he had stated earlier in
the day that the administration de-
sired no further legislation. He alleged
that the whole purpose of those who
were opposing the sale was the Gov
ernment ownership and operation Of
ia ilroads.
Mr.. Bailey Dem.), of Texas, object
cd 10 Mr. Powers statement of the
position of the Democrats. He said il
was not a question of sacrificing the
Governments debt or Government
ownership and operatior of ra ilronds.
ON this side" said he. I'VE believe the
Government can collect the debt. and
as prudent creditor that 1t should
collect every dollar of it,"
Continuing, Mr.. Bailey said he did
not believe the administration ehould
be required 70 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 dalor due from the
Union Pacific.
At y. m. the House recessed until
s o'clock. the evening session being de-
voted to the consideration of private
pension bills.