The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
WEDNESDAY, March %

WEDNESDAY, March 25.
House. House reassembled at 10
o'clock a. M, to continue the discussion
Of the transportation bill.
Mr.. Dunnell (Minn.) advocated the bill.
The only power to regulate this question,
he thought, was in Congress, for the state
great railroad interests. Every business
interest in the country demanded the pas.
sage of this bill, and some definite action
upon the finances.
On motion of Mr.. Dawes (Mass.), the
committee on banking and currency was
directed to inquire into the expediency Of
having United States notes and securities
printed in parts and at different places in
order to afford greater security against fraud
or forgery.
The. House then resumed consideration of
the Senate bill supplemental to the act TO
promote the development of the mining re-
sources of the United States.
Mr.. Kendall New withdrew his amend
ment offered the other day, and said it
would leave the question then to be taken
on Mr.. Holmans amendment which se-
cured Mr.. Sutro in his vested right.
Mr.. Storm pa advocated Mr.. Negley's
amendment, which proposed to compel the
miners in the Comstock lode to secure
their patents subject to Mr.. Sutro's ROYALTY
He had read letter from Hon. j. s. Black,
showing that under the bill Mr.. Sutro's
claim would not be secured under the pres
ent bill unless it was amended.
Mr.. Page Cali opposed the amendment
aud advocated the bill as it was, but would
agree to an amendment to protect Mr.. Su-
tro's interest. The bill as it stood was de-
sired by the whole delegation from Califor-
MIA.
Mr.. Ward Qll.) said he was not sur
prised that ali OF the California delegation
should desire this bill. 1t afforded pro-
lection to the great monopolsts, but it did
not afford the least protection to the poor
miners, who were laborlng on the Com
stock lode. The last clause of the bill was
objectionable, because it would enable the
monopolsts to float their claims, and
would thus crush out the small miners,
for as it was it involved a serious change
in the law relating to patents. He did not
care for Sutro, but he did want to protect
the small miners.
Mr.. Lowe (Kans.) denied that this bill
invaded the rights of MIR. Sutro, or of the
small miners, or of any one else. 1t was
merely to supplement the acts of 1872,
and make the legislation more perfect.
Mr.. Merriam IN. " opposed Mr.. Neg
ley's amendment, arguing that it was a
scheme of Sutro to take away the vested
rights of thousands of American citizens.
Sutro, he said, had never fulfilled his con-
tract to construct his tunnel. Instead OF bor-
ing for his tunnel he came here TO Wash
ington and bored for subsidy. In the
meantime city had been built up by the
miners, who had made the contract which
Sutro had failed to fulfill, and now Mr..
Negey's amendment would deprive these
miners of their vested rights.
Mr.. Negley (Pa.) was surprised at the
course of Mr.. Kendall who, he said, was
pledged to the support of Mr.. Sutro's
great enterprise. Last Codgress he (Ken.
dall) came here and wanted large subsidy
for the enterprise, and now ne even opposes
an amendment which simply secures Sutro
in his vested rights. The bill was intro
duced in the Senate by senator Sargent
who was opposed to Mr.. Sutro. The last
three lines OF the bill showed the hand Of
the juggler behind the curtain There was
vast and powerful interest opposing this
Sutro enterprise, and he charged that 0
fund of at least $780, had been raised
TO defeat Mr.. Sutro.
Mr.. Fort Qll.) wanted to know who got
that money.
Mr.. Negley said that could easily be
ascertained by reading the circulars that
had been distributed here.
The previous question was then demand.
ed and the amendments of Mr.. Negley and
Mr.. Holman were adopted.
['Fhe amendments provide that appli-
cations must be made for patents by the
miners within twelve months, but that
nothing in the bill shall affect the vested
rights of Mr.. Sutro, or of the miners in
the Comstock lode.l
Pending further consideration, the morn
ing hour expired, and the House resumed
consideration of the transportation bill.
Mr.. George f. Hoar addressed the
House. This bill he said, could be viewed
IN two-fold aspect. First, ought the pow
er proposed by this bill be exercised by
government and, second, in view of the
distribution of power between the states
and the nation which should exercise
this power? On the first point he con-
tended that the British government had
long ago exercise this power. All that
this bill proposed to do was to fix the
panies, so that the people might be pro-
tected against extortion. He alluded to the
great powers exercised by railroad compa-
MES under their charters-all of which
power was conferred by government. In
view of the powers conferred he was sur
prised at the statement of Mr.. Willard
yesterday that it was violation of civil
liberty TO protect the rights of American
citizens against the encroachments of these
railroads. He was firmly convinced that
that power did exist. He then addressed
himself to the question of jurisdiction.