Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1878 — SENATOR M’DONALD [ARTICLE]

SENATOR M’DONALD

Hm a Brief Interview Wit* Jay Gewld, aaA Telle Him «• Laave Hinßeeaa. [Washington Correspondence Chicago Ttaea.] It is Judge Thurman’s intention at an early day to press the consideration of his bill forcing the Union Pacific railroad to give the government good security for its indebtedness. Under the ruling of the supreme court the interest is not due until the maturity of the bonds. When this time comes it is folly to suppose that the government will ever realize the enormous sum that will be due at that period, for the reason that the accumulated interest and amount of principal will aggregate a much larger sum than the entire road and its proper :ies are worth. The Union Pacific railroad company, after having had the use of the road and its immense profits for years, would throw up the road to the government rather than pay their indebtedness. Jay Gould is underst >od to be close pressed in carrying the stock of this road, and he is here watching very closely any legislation looking toward forcing the road to pay its dues to the government. Any such result would undoubtedly depress the stock, and possibly prove his ruin. has been a successful operator with the legislature at Albany, and he has tranrferred his Albany tactics here. His mode is to come directly to his men, and employ no third party or agents. Senator M’Donal J, whois a member of the judiciary committee, before whieh the legislation on the subject of the Union Pacific is pending, went to his room the other day, and he discovered a litt'e man in black curled up in his most comfortable easy chair before the open grate. The little, keen, black whiskered, darkly attired visitor arose with a monehalant air when Senator M’Donald entered, and said: “You are Senator M’Douald, I presume?” “Yes," said M’Donald. “My name is Jay Gould, of New York,” said the visitor. “Ah!” was the reply. “You are a member of the senate judiciary committee, are you not?” “I am.” said M’Donald. “I have very heavy interests pending before your committee.” said Gould, with great emphasis upon the word “heavy.” And then with a sinister grin he added: “I have come to see you about them,” slowly and carefully emphasizing the word “see,” as he looked M’Donald straight In the face. Gould’s manner put M’Donald upon his guard at once. He arose and said in a frigidly tone of voice, “Mr. Gould, you can not see or talk to me upon the subject of Union Pacific interests except in the judiciary committee room and before the committ e.” Gould laughed in reply, in a sort of contemptuous way, as If he had no faith in M’Donald’s protestations, and begun in a wheedling way, after the fashion of the old gentleman in black to talk about his interests, how much they were involved, when M’Donald put an end te the conversation bv putting on his hat and coat as he said: “Mr. Gould, I am going out of this room. I shall not listen to you, and I think you had better go, too.” This ended the conversation, as Gould saw thut M’Donald was in earned.