Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-28
CONGRES SION AL.
Morton on the Railroad Question.
The Senate Reaches Calendar
Bill No. 1.
Morton Accuses Sumner of De-
laying His own Civil
Rights Bantling.
The House Votes on the West
Virginia Contests.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. 27.-Messrs.
Carpenter and Thurman presented petit
tions from soldiers of the late war asking
additional bounty. Referred.
Mr.. Thurman said that petitions frequent
ly presented were in the same handwriting
an abuse which should be stopped.
The District.
Mr.. Thurman also presented a petition
of W. W. CorcOraII, G. w. Riggs and other
Property-holders in Washington, praying
the investigation be granted into the affairs
of the District Government asked for a few
days since. The petition reclteS that grave
charges have been made by various news
papers. Laid on the table.
Mr.. McCreery moved that the creden-
tials of VIM. Mcmillan, as Senator from
on privileges and elections.
Proposed Transportation Bureau.
Mr.. Morton moved that the Senate pro-
coed to the consideration of the resolution
offered by him few DAYS ago, providing
for creating commission Of five perso ns to
examine and report to Congress what legis-
lation is required in regard to interstate
railroads to provide for cheaper tranSporta-
ton, for the safety and comfort of passen-
gers, for the reform of abuses, and to pro-
mote the general efficiency of railroads in
the interests Of commerce and the conven-
fence of the travelling public.
Mr.. Morton addressed the Senate in
favor of the resolution. He said the power
to regulate commerce must be exercised
wherever the subject exists and operate up
on the subject and those engaged in its
prosecution. The power to regulate and
govern the whole includes power to govern
the constituent parts. Commerce pertains
not more to water than to land. The pow
er of railroad company to fix rates is but
the power Of the State granted it in its
charter. Whatever franchises the State
grants must be accepted subject to the con-
ditiOn that if the railroad engage in COM
merce il is liable to regulation by Congress.
In the absence of Congressional legislation
the State can regulate commerce across their
territory, just as in the absence of State
legislation the companies themselves Tegu-
late it. The people of the several States
acting separately, would be less able to
protect their rights against the power of
great corporations which by their wealth,
Establishments and natural power in the
States through which they pass, would have
undue influence in controlling legislation
or defeating the execution of their laws.
How about the Credit Mobilier? Which
is easier-tO bride one Congress, or 4 dozen
State Legislatures AND ANIERI-
CAN.
Mr.. Sherman moved that the Senate pro-
coed with the discussion on the financial
resolution.
Mr.. Bayard said he desired to address
the Senate, and asked that the resolution
go over till Thursday. The Senator from
Wisconsin Mr.. Carpenter) would address
the Senate tomorrow on the Louisiana
matter.
Mr.. Carpenter said that he was not sure
he would he able to speak tomorrow, and
the gentleman c Mr.. Bayard) could proceed
in the forenoon.
Mr.. Sherman said it was his desire to
close the debate on thefresOlution as soon
as possible.
Summers Rights
The Senate then proceeded to tho con-
sideration of the Calendar. The next
bill was that introduced by Mr.. Sumner on
the first day of the session, supplementary
to the act to protect all citizens Of the
United States in their civil rights and to
lutditS vi lLlClI
Mr.. Howe said he desired to submit some
remarks on the bill but was not ready to
do so.
Mr.. Ferry moved that the bill be referred
to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Sumner said there was very good
reason why this bill should not be referred
to that Committee. 1t had twice been be-
fore the Committee aud there was no neceS-
sity of again sending it there. The Senate
had acted on the bill as a Committee Of the
Whole. lie could see nothing in the mo
ton to refer but mode Of opposition by
imposing time, impeachment and delay.
The bill stood No. l on the Calendar and
should have been acted upon the first day
of the session. His desire, he might say
the darling desire OF his soul was to have
this great question closed now so it would
never intrude again on this chamber, so
never again in our legislation would there
be such a word as white or black, but legiS-
tation should be only for citizens.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen thought he could as
sure the gentleman (Smnner) that if the
bill We're referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee it would be reported back perfected in
two weeks.
Mr.. Simner-Is the gentleman member
of the Judiciary Committee?
Mr.. FreelinghuySen-Yes, sir.
Mr.. SUMNER accept the gentleman's
assurance, and consent to reference.
Mr.. Terry, of Connecticut, and Messrs.
Edmunds, Stewart, and Morrill,, of Maine,
favored reference to the committee.
Mr.. Morton said that he thought it time
the civil rights bill should be passed, and
hoped its passage would not be delayed.
The Senator from Massachusetts (Sumner)
was himself responsible that this bill was
not perfected now, and before the Senate to
be acted upon. Had he consented to
reference OH the first day Of the session, it
would have been before the Senate now
fer action. 1t was only in cases of pressing
emergency that bills were acted upon with
out being referred to n committee. The
Senator had no ono to be blamed but
himself.
Mr.. Sumner said he intsndei to say no
more, but his friend from Indiana (AlOrtOn)
4