Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-03-26

We last week referred to a vote of Mr.
Ross as inconsistent The bill it seems
was called up BY him before the vote was
taken on the repeal of the tonnage tax act
OF last year, and was at once pronounced as
an attempt to legalize the act of last year.
Mr.. r. however pronounced the bill " all
right" &c, and to show that we were not
alone in regarding the two votes as incon-
sistent, we quote the following remarks
from Mr.. Williams Of Allegheny
would suggest to the gentleman from Milf
fin, Mr.. Ross, that lie will consent to the
postponement of this bill Whether the
construction Of the gentleman from Hunting
don, Mr.. Scott be correct or not-whether
the company haYe three years or one year
makes no practical difference The date of
the act, if | mistake not, was the 7th Of March,
1861. The year then has elapsed, so that
there can be nothing lost by further delay.
In regard to the remarks Of my friend from
Blair county, Mr.. Banks | think he mis-
takes the terms of the bill. de does not take
the view of it. which, it occurs TO me he must
on little reflection as q lawyer. necessarily
take. Now there was an appropriation of
seven hundred and fifty three thousand dol
lars go noaltae, to this purpose; but in consid
Grafton of the release of that amount of ar.
rears of tonnage tax, then unpaid and the
prospective release of the tax itself, tbs COM
pany agrees to do certain things. Among
others, it agrees that it will subscribe, not
these seven hundred and fifty-three thou sand
dollars in terms, but that it will purchase the
bonds Of these several railroad companies.
or guarantee them, to the amount of eight
hundred and fifty thousand dollars in certain
proportions, ratably among these companies,
provided that these companies will within the
period Of ycar-0r three years. for ii makes
no difference what the construction may be
provided that they will perform what is spec
ifed in the act.
Now, suppose the act of last session is con-
stituhonal, what are the obligations Of the
pennsylvania railroad company under that
contract, taking it to be a contract? Why to
purchase these bonds in case certain things
are done within given time. Now, they are
not done; year has expired. How are we
10 alter that contract? Can we impose upon
the Pennsylvania railroad company, suppos-
ing it good contract. a new obligation? The
agreement was to do this thing upon the con
dition that these companies should comply
with the specific terms within the time and
they have not complied. Now, how are we
Ia change the terms of this contract? This
is an argument that cannot be answered.
But there is one other great objection,
which remains behind. This bill afdrms by
indirection-nay, not by indirection, 1t di-
rectly affrms the validity of the act OF last
year; and take it that no man who is in IA
vor of the repeal of that act, can consistent
ly vote for this. If that act wore now de-
pending here, | take it that the bill of the
gentleman from Mitfin county, Mr. Ross, J
would be in order as au amendment by way
= OF substitute. We propose to repeal the law
OF last session; he proposes to affirm it.
hope that gentlemen will look at this matter
The case is not susceptible of any other con-
strucuon' These things meet us in the face.
We cannot consistently pass this bill to-day
Affirming that act and then tomorrow pass a
bill repeating the whole of it. DO not gen
tlemen see it? Does my friend from Mifain