The New York herald., 1869-01-21


Mr. POMERoy moved to take up the bil relating 70
the central branch Of the Union Paclnc Railroad
Mr.. EDNuNDs. repD OF W., moved an amend
ment-to take up his Joint resolution IA regard 10
MI. PoMERoY raised the point OF order that the
amendment was not germane to his motion.
After some discussion on this point II was decided
against
his resolution as important OF at least "a much pub
lie interest aud worthy OF the immediate atfen-
ton OF the senate, the bill relating TO the Central
Branch OF the Union Pacific Railroad.
The Senate then refused to take up Mr.. Edmnnas'
resolution by vote OF 32 nays 10 ~ yeas
THE AIR LINE RAILROAD BILL.
Mr. SHERMAN, trep) OF Ohio moved 70 proceed
to the consideration OF the bill to promote commerce
between the States tine Air Line Railroad bill.
Air. EDMUNDs hoped the motion might be voted
down, so that he might have an opportunity TO move
in order the consideration OF his resolution.
Mr.. FEssEsDEs, lepl OF Me-, spoke briefly IN
favor OF taking mp the resolution in regard to the
public debt IN preference to any other measure at
this time. He was in favor OF that bin. as he was
also IN favor Of the very ndicous oil reported The
other day by the Committee ON Finance, and he
would be ready at the proper time to vote with the
Chairman OF that committee tMr. Shernan) to take
up that bill. but he could not vote with nn 10 take
up the railroad bn which, whether good or bed
measure could not, probably, he thought, become a
Mr.. SHERMAN regretted that any other bill or reso-
luton should DC put in antag0nism to ufis railroad
biii because Il was very important one, and every
provision of II nad already III other forms received
the assent or Congress-
Mr.. DoordTTLE DEM OF Wis.,. thought that since
the settlement OF the question growing out OF the
war no measure involving grayer questions IN re-
gard 70 the respective rights and powers OF the gen.
erai government and oi the States over the territory
and internal commerce OF the states had been pre-
sented IL was really, in his Judgment proposition
10 wipe out of existence the states, anu
10 consolidate 10 the general government aDso-
lutte and desp0tc power. The merits OF a bill
involving such weivhty questions could not be con-
sdered anu determined without long discussion,
and therefore he was not prepared TO vote TO take 1t
up At tins time. much less to vote for II when it
should come up.
Mr.. FRELMGHUysEs, rep.) Of N. j.. was in favor
OF taking 1t NJ and the resolution OF Mr. sherman.
The air line bill was then taken up by vote OF 20
NJ. WHYTE (dem.) OF Nd, made long argument
against the bill, which he regarded as proposing one
or the most alarming encroacnments or federal power
even In these days OF rapid consolidation. de d.
rected attention TO the extraordinary framework
OF the bill, giving the proposed corporations
power TO construct, equip and operate rail-
roads through certain states without the consent
OF those States, and other extraordinary powers.
which the genera government had no constitutional
right 10 give or ~ exercise, because they would be
in direct violation OF the rights OF the States over
their territory. IN support OF this view he cited
from the Madison papers and from several decisions
OF the supreme Court Passing to che question OF
the policy Of exercising this power supposing IL 10
exist In the general government, he said chat Ii
would be most unwlse, because 1t would convert
and would thereby transfer 10 the rotunda OF the
Capitol the lobbes OF thirty-four states. lie
apoogist for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany or any other corporation. He was In favor
OF holding them al strictly TO their charters.
The capitation tax on the Washington branch OF
the Baltimore and ohio Railroad, one OF the grley-
ances complained Of, was, ia his Judgment, whether
constitutional or not, wholly unjust and inpoitc,
and would probably be repealed by the Legislature or
Maryland at the ne Xt SESSION. In reply 10 the
raint that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad does
check baggage from Washington through Baltimore
and the Vest he read letter from Mr.. Garrett, the
president OF the roal stating that IL the fault OF
the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Company and not
OF the Baltimore AMI ohlo Company. To Mr.. Sher-
mans statement that the earnings OF the Washington
branch Of this road enormous, he stated thai
stockholders Of the Baltimore and ONO Railroad had
never received an annual dividend OF nine per cent
The necessity OF rival road from Washington 70
Baltimore he said, would be fully met by the balt
more and Potomac road which is rapidly approach
ing completon-a road free from the capitaflon tax
and when would make the connection with the
Pennsylvania Central Railroad proposed in Mr. Sher
mans bill. Hesread a letter from the president o
the Baltimore ana Potomac road, arguing thar no
additional road between washington and Baltimore
would be necessary TO meet the wants OF the public
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mr.. PoMER0Y moved to 60 into executive ses-
sion.
Messrs SUMNER and SHERMAN opposed the mo-
ton.
The yeas and nays were ordered and the motion
was carried; the Senate ct three O'Clock went
into executive session.
After coming out Of executive session the Senate
at twenty minutes past four O'Clock adjourned.