Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-03
FORTY SECOND CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings,
WEDNESDAY,, April ).


WEDNESDAY,, April ).
SENATF.-Mr. Davis, OF West Va. reported
nom Committee on Claims House bill 10 paw
John Potts, chief clsrk of the War Department
$3.50 for acting se0Ubursing clerk. Passed.
Mr.. Ramsey called up House bill 10 break az
lie system VI
STRAW Ribs FOR CARRYING THE MAILS
~ prescribing fine and imprisonment for mail
'ontTactors negiecting TO fulfill their contracts
after their bids are accepted; which Was LARGELY
amended, and then ordered to be printed as
amended.
PUELIC BUILDINGS AND 6 ROUNDS
Mt. Morrill,, OF Vt, from Committee on Pub
lc BulidlrSs and Grounds, reported a hill in re-
alton 10 Inventories OF the public buildings ani
rounds and property OF the United States in
he DistTictot Columbia. Passed.
On motion OF MIR. Morrill,, OF Vermont, the
Committee of Agriculture was directed TO com
municate TO the Senate statement OF the com
parative
IMPORTATION OF Wool AND wOOLEys
ach year o! the last decade, and all facts in his
possession showing the causes of the fluctuations
the production OF sheep and the prices Of wool
PIEDMONT AND POTOMAC RAILROAD.
Mr.. Lewis called up the bill giving the assent
cI Congress TO the subscription of the District OF
COiumnla 10 the stock of the Piedm ont and PO-
OInac Railroad Company.
Mr.. Sumner stated that il was suppos ID that
his projected railroad would be advantageous
othe District and the city OF Washington; that il
a. 10 pass through most rouriShng country
The subscription had been sanctioned by the
popular vote. some u eco TO COO. he hal been in
formed, and this being the case the committo.
had not thought il proper that Congress should
JhwaTt tie WISHES OF this community
Mr.. FrclinghCysen asked Mr.. Sumner what
mount OF genuine capital had been subscribed
ana paid INTO tins road. That point was one OF
ugton should subscribe and pay in S6g1.Hr0
lie had never known a township 70 subscribe
'or railroad stock that was not a loser by il. Ii
ne scheme was feasible one, If there was anv
necessity fer this railroad, and Il promised
% be reuumerative, there were plenty o:
capitalists throughout the country who
would embark their mt ans i'm It. That they had
not done 30 Was pretty good proof that it was not
Z dt sirable investment. In the p esent state OF
he finances OF the city OF Washington he dia
not think il advisable that Congress should per
NIT y 20 embarraSs itself In reference 10 the
IoFUlar vote i'm this Distric, that dad NOT have
much influence with him, for in every commu-
atty there were many citizens who were per-
iectly Indifferent a. 20 the amount OF the public
debt, or how IL was increased. Twelve thousand
we're said TO have voted for this subscrip;ion
Hut the vote OF Washington. he believed, was
tbout ., 600, 50 that IL seemed ma jorty of the
citizens staid away and did not vote at all on the
matter.
Mr.. Lewis said sC5J, 600 had been alresiysu5.
>cribed for this road. and that the city OF Wash
ngtOn would not be asked TO pay its subscrip-
ZION until this S655 go had been paid up. He
understood that two of the cOrpOrators were
tble out OF their own meal to build every mile
If this road. IL was earnestly desired by the
people OF this city; il had been most thoroughly
discussed, and It's opponents hardly numbered
ne BOARD OF Trade was almD,t
unanimous in its favor, and the bin 70 authorize
he subscription had passed the lower house OF
he legislative assembly by a vote OF Il 10 2.
Dir. Nye read from the report made to the
legislative Assembly OF the District and to the
Georgetown Board Of Trade, setting forth the
advantages OF the proposed road. Mr.. y. then
proceedec TO advocate the necessity and the
DEMENT'S OF railroads, ard said that IL was the
greatest shame that the capital of this great
country shO6ld be so poorly provided with rail-
read facilities No such policy prevailed in auy
jther country in regard TO its capital, and he
'ouid not understand such short-sghtedness
there was road which would bring New York
10 miles nearer 10 Cincinnati than by any exist
ng route. Who could douht that il would be an
advantage to the city of Washington? The
'apital OF the country was to-day blessed with
ne little railroad that backs in and backs out.
lie intimated that the opposition OF some Sena
ors TO the bill arose from the fact that they
''wned houses in this city, and feared little
more taxes.
Mr.. Frelin ghuysen remarked that Mr.. Nye
Lad hit the nail right on the head. That was
lie very thing, this was a matter Of business il
oncerned the property hOlders, they were the
mes that were Interested and they ought not TO
&c taxed without their consent.
Mr.. Nye Indicated his opinion that the maiori-
y OF the property interests favor the building of
he road.
Mr.. Robertson wanted 10 know why the pron-
rty-holders who were in favor of this road did
not subscribe TO it themselves without attempt
ng TO compel the other property-holders TO DO
Mr.. Nye said Washington was 10 be the win
er Newport Of America, and every means of
Jbtaining access TO it Should be fostered. He
aid that he thought it was proper that the peo-
lie of Washington should be let alone in
his matter of this subscription. They had de-
rided TO make IL, and he did not
think il was the part of Congress 70 inter-
ere. He submitted now an amendment which
he supposed would obviate the objections which
had been made.
The amendment was read. 1t provides that
no part OF the subscription OF the city of Wash.
ngton shall be called for until At least equal
anount OF the sum subscribed by private parties |
hall have been paid In and expended In the |
Mr.. Frelinghuysen said this amendment would |
not in any way do away with his objection. He /
garded as discourteous the intimations that 4
congress should mind its own business. II was Il
xactly the business OF Congress 70 watch over
md protect the interests Of this city and the \
District
Mr. Edmunsls said he understood the urea, IN. /
crest of - Senator from Virginia in this bill 4
rhis railroad was TO 20 right TO his door
Mr.. Lewis said he had no pecuniary interest Il
whatever in this bill. His only interest In il Was
hat the road was to 60 through one OF the most /
Grille portions OF his state, and IL did 20 /
trough the county In which he lived.
Hr' EGnunds did not believe that his friend /
lad any peeuniary interest in this road, and as /
neiieve he ever would. lLaughter.l What he
MI. r. objected to was that the Senator should Il
wish to build the road at his (Mr. E. expense,
District.
Mr. Lewis said he would pay the enhanced
taxation ON MIR. Edmunds property IL that
senator would give him the enhanced value Of Il
II.
Mr.. Edmunds said he was not 80 poor but that