New-York tribune., 1866-05-04
XXXIXTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION
SENATE. WAsBTSGToS. May 3, leto
THE DRESSMAKEES.

The Chair laid beforehe Senate memorial of the dress
makers of the United States for modification Of the tax
laws affecting their business which referred 10 The
Finance Committee.
THE CUBA TELEGRAPH.
MI CHANDIER, f IN Tie Committee # Conference on
the hill 20 establish tcIraphlc comnl cauoh between
the United States nd the Island of Cuba made report,
which was agreed provides that the rate Of tele-
graphing shall be not than - 50 for ten words sub
ieci however the night Of Congress to alter this rate
The bill now awaits the Signature of the President.
INCREASE OF NAVAL PAY.
Mr. GRIMES presented the petition of naval officers for
an increase Of pay which referred to the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs.
AN OREGON LAND GRANT.
hill granting lands the State OF Oregon 10 hid IA
the construction Of military road from Albany Oregon,
10 the eastern boundary of the State.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT
Mr. FEssENDES offered concurrent resolution instruct,
ing the standing Committees Public Buildings and
Grounds 10 inauir at further building accommodations,
if any are needeu lor the State Department. This was
COMPENSATION OF CAPT. ERICSSON
Mr. ANTHONY called up the bill to pay John Ericsson
s3g3O for services in planning the war steamer Prince
REIMBURsEMrNT c. WEST VIRGINIA.
Mr.. VAN WISKLE called upa bill to reimburse the State
of West Virginia for war expenses. II appoints .om'
missioner to audit the accounts Of the State against The
United States and appropnaes 500 10 pay the DIS
1t was passed.
Mr.. WILSON from the Committee on Military Anairs,
reported the following JOINT resolutions
,sored That Secretary Of WaE bc and he hereby
u
of The roster of volunteer already printed and that the roster
compiled or directed by the joint resolution. approved
1865 be published IN accordance with pan SUD
mitted by the Superintendent Of Public Printing.
INTERSTATE CoMMUNIcATIoS.
The bill to regulate commercial and postal comnuDca-
ton between the States was taken up on motion OF Mr.
SCNNER. 80 - m
Thought when he first read this bill that its provisions were
a. uan and so evidently within the scope of the Consti-
tutiona power of Congress that 1t would be dihcun LOT
any Gentleman however ingenious to raise doubt as to
Eop tufio Vofth
bills which had been under consideration durlhe tne pic
ent session. well during former Congresses, ths had
encountered d very earnest and obstinate resistance
founded upon the idea that it prohibited by the Con-
sttution Of the United States and the honorable Senator
from Maryland Johnson IN very deprecaory tones ana
almost with accents Of despair at the prospect OF thls Dill
uassno the senate saws that we are thus amend
deayor 10 amend from time time, the Constitution OF ,he
United Saes that if one Congress after another may
encroach upon its provisions, might well have no
Constitution. Undoubtedly the convictions OF that honor
able Senator very deep and strong. could wsh s
for the sake OF the country, that could have his fu
and free AS 10 the contituionaity OF ,ne
measure for know, and so does the country, tha MS
opnion upon 20 grave question is entitled to, and re-
ceiyes very great weight, not only IN this body, Du
throughout the country Still sir, after listening with
much attention to his eloquent and ingenious arguments
against the bl have failed TO be convinced by it, OF
the uneonsttuonaty of the measure on the other hand
hold il to be strictly within the constitutional power OF
Congress hold il to be very expedent and necessary
act for pass at this time; and remark, SIR thal so
great length Of time has passed without such Federal
statute as this for the protection Of the people OF the
different States tho Union IN Their commercial tTanssc
iiops The honorable Senator from Marlla informs US
that this is an attempt alter, to modify and even to
enlarge charter and he accuses us OF an attempt 10
override aud overule the just and legitimate powers
of the States reference to the action oil corporations Tor
commercial purposes.
Mr.. HOWARD here read from Mr.. Johnson's argument
against the pending bill lie maintained that the b did
moi assume 10 alter or amend in any legal respect or IN
suy constitutional points, any charter granted Ny any
state II seemed 10 be Mr. Johnsons argument, that
State had right &c aiix any conditions Whatever 10 us
chatter and that il not out of the power Of Congress
ia relieve the people Of other Satas from any restrictions
nlaced upon them in such charter. lbis ne denied
Tho question was" he said whether State by us
legisaiiOn-wheher by Incorporated or private companies
ar oherwise-can take in its hands the power Of reguat-
INC commerce; power which belongs exclusively 10
Congress under the Constitution Ihat portion OF S'ue
charter which assumes regulate commerce between the
Staes or with foreign countries becomes vou III law
the want of authority the part Of the State Government
10 exercise ~. =, c.1.. -, ..,o,
Mr. HOWARD referring TO the Camden and Amboy
Railroad said that levied tax upon every passenger
travelling through the State of NewJersey. -
Mr. MORRILL, said there was nothing but a levy oi iV
cepts ON each passenger in lieu of other taxes.
Mr. FowAgD said il made no difference Dy "hat name
il was called II still tribute ieNleu uP1n 'ne Po
pe Of other States The result OF the YAK hu oecn W %
ieve the people Of Nsw-Jorsey from all S'c taxes ah
t supnort the Government Of the state IN TINS speca
tribute on commerce. He would ask II coheiess ha az
the Supreme Court had decided exclusive Jufsuicuon
the subject Of foreign commerce. or commerce no u
only betv but among the States; IL was hot sn
time that citizens should be relieved from 80 grave an I'M
position upon their good nature; whether IL Vas en,e
fair that citizens of Michigan, OF New.i OK, oi
Hampshire Of Maine, Of Connecticut OF all tho o'as
passing this railroad should be made tributary 10 o
selfish policy of the State of NewJersey and be compeed
this form 10 pay the expenses of carrying Oh S'ae
Government
TIE POSTAL ApPOPRIATioY BILL RECALLED.
Gr loLAsp "p'rss resolution lls'racung 'ne ssas'