Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-11-28

A conversation was held recently by New
York Herald reporter with Senator John Shsr-
man st has Ohio home, in which the views of
Mr. sherman upon political matters were
ELECTED at considerable length He holds that
the question of reconstruction has been settled
by the election of Grant, which secures the
honest, firm. but kind enforcement Of exist
ing laws. If any further discussion OF recon-
struction should arise, he would favor the ut
most hberality towards the South, and would
relieve II of all forms Of disability, provided,
only IT gives protection to the people within its
limits. return To specie payments is the
objective point TO be aimed AZ, not by contrac-
ton but by increasing the value of greenbacks
by restricting II 10 its present volume, by re-
Ceiylng a portion OF the customs in currency,
by converting the notes into bonds, and by re-
aulriEg the national banks to keep their re-
serves in legal tenders. Taxing the Govern
ment bonds he holds TO be impossible; the
courts having settled the question against State
taxation, and common honesty will prevent
the natiOn Ievying any tax on its own bonds
save such as Il puts on other bonds, which
takes the shape OF An income tax.
The matter of more special interest to Wash
ington in this interview vas one that came up
following suggestion:
"IheTe Is much discussion here in the West
about peCu lar topic of the future-fhe re-
mOyal OF The national capital"
To this MI Sherman answered:
EYES; IT a matter of railroads. Washing
ton Is inaccessible through the action OF the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which is a close
monopoly. II l. IDCOnyenIent and sometimes
dangerous TO get there, and unless the arrange
ment that enables the Baltimore and ONO
Railroad 10 make Washington a mere suburb
of Baltimore is broken up the capital will be
removed within five years. My own opinion
is that Congress has power to regulate railroad
hines above all State power. 1t is in the power
gwen over commerce. Congress shall have
power TO regulate commerce with foreign ns-
lions and among the several States This is an
important power, for the railroads are 10
be a wonderful element in our development.
Already the value OF the railroads in the
United States is ACKNOWLEDGEMENT hundred
mIlllCns-out little less than the national debt,
and their receipts are three times the interest
Of the Cebt. Any one of the four leading rail-
reads transports property worth Sl5J,UJ0,OJJ
per year. IL il l. doubtful whether Congress
has the power 10 build new railroads its au-
thOTity 10 regulate those already built is clear.
In taking hold of matters like this We must
move cautiously and with good precedent
IN view, though he tendency OF the times is TO
stronger central nationality. Unless Con-
gress has this power there will be trouble
about II b and by. Suppose, for instance, that
OHIO should do what New Jersey actually
dOes-decil.e that only one railroad shall cross
ker teTutCry-she could dissolve the Union
with this power, for all communication be-
territory; % the SJuth you must % ID Ken
tUcky. where there Is a range OF mOunraias
that cannot h. passed by railroad, aud TO the
North you must 20 ~ the ldzes and take the
chances of the water. This Is too mucn power
for any STATE 10 possess"
In this signid ant remark by statesman OF
broad national views, Washington has the clue
afforded her for action. Our future Is "a mat
ter of railroads. Senator Sherman we believe
to be friendly 10 Washington. lie does no,
speak enc wishing Us harm, or as in favor
of the removal o! the scar OF Government, but
lie points out that the capital of the LatIon
must be thoroughly accessible from all quar-
ters- Approach to il IN Qst not be confined 10 a
single line CT railroad liable 70 b. cut of at any
mOmen; by the roughs of Baltimore. Just now
there are hopeful signs Of relief for Washing
ton. We have experienced so much Of the hope
deferred that maketh the heart sick, that we
are yet lot saGguine; bat if appearances are
not altogether deceitfuI, work IL earnest on
both the Baltimore and Potomac, ami the POINT
OF Rocks roads has been commenced.
When these roads, and others Contemplated
are built, Washington can breathe easier. She
will then BE- in position 10 build up Il bu.iness
of her own, quite independent OF GoverPmeAt
drippIngs; and the habits Of saIt-reIianca and
energy thus formed will help immensely in her
future growth. The Point Of Rocks road will
not only greatly shorten theroute to the North
west from Washington. bat Will put Us in con-
neetIon With the rich valleys OF Virginia and
upper Maryland, by which the price OF living
here ought 10 b. materially reduced. TIE con-
struction OF the Baltimore and Potomac road
ought TO have n like effect. in ehsapaniny the
cost of fuel, by putting Us IN Communication
with the anthracite coal region OF Penusylya-
uIa- 1t mus necessarily cheaper iTeights OF
all kinds, competing as 1t viii with CARROTS
road; and the price Of passengr = fare Will in
stantIy BE- reduced TO the extent of the capita
ton tax now charged by the State OF Mary
land on all passengers - Washington over the
Baltimore and Ohio road. BY some oversight
the State OF Maryland failed 10 mulct the Bal
iImOre and Potomac road b. clpititi IN tax,
and OF course Mr.. Garrett will be relieved of
the tax on his road when the other road is put
IN operation. Indeed he pays il cow only from
choice, and from the fast that Il comes out OF
the passengers pockets and not MS own, as
under the decision Of the Supreme Court any
capi'ation TAX levied By a Safe upon passen-
gers throughit Is utterly Heal
There are those, however, who yet dread that
some bargain Will be effected between the
Pennsylvania railroad interests and the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad Interests. whereby the
latter Will abandon its proposed short linz De-
tween PIttsbUrg and Washington, via Con-
neilsvIHe ard Cumberland II, the latter will
throw up its Baltimore and Potomac road pro.
jeot. Railroad msgRates 90 sometimes make
such bargains, and neither party in this case
is aCtusted by any particular regard for Wash
ington, but is locking out for It's own interest
We have the dIsagreeble uncertainty before Us
whether they will find IL pay better TO trade or
TO build. Washington Will never feel secure
until she has Ereat independent through
line Northwards, such as is pointed out In
Senator Sherman's views; and another great
line through Virginia, shortening the distance
10 Cincinnati: and Louisville one hundred
miles or more.
The French Atlantic Cable will have its ter
minus on this side AT Druxoury, Plymouth
county, Mass. The township has gwen 20 the
company large lot situated on a high bluff for
the station, and the deed has conferred the title
TO Professors Price and Whitney OF the Coast
Survey Trustees