The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-01-02
William Defeat Foregone.

A canvass OF the New England Sena-
torial delegation shows that with the
exception Of Boutwell, and possibly An
thony, they will vote as unit against
the confirmation of Williams. A more
extended canvass Of the entire Senate
develops as little strength for Williams,
and that his defeat is considered fore
gone. Many Senators express the
hope that his nomination will be with.
drawn, and that the President will send
in Williams name for appointment as
q foreign minister. They say that he
would be readily confirmed for such q
place, but that he will not do for Chlei
Justice. Senator Carpenter, who OPP
poses the nomination vigorously, is un-
derstood to be, in doing so, fair rep
resentiye OF the lawyers Of the Senate
who have practiced, and do practice
before the Supreme Court. They all
know Williams, and have 30 poor an
opinion OF his legal abilities that they
cannot vote to confirm him.
BENJAMIN Butler, who, stranger,
enough, has not seemed to be in this
muddle, is said 10 have prevented Grant
from nominating E. lockwood Hoar
fer the place.
How Fat Fees arc Given 10 Admin
fstratiOn Strikers.
A story is in circulation, certified to
by parties in position to know its truth,
which goes to show that Attorney Gen.
eral Williams not only decides cases on
cursory examination OF one side OF
them, but that he also, for the purpose
Of giving fat fees to a Government Off
cial and Administration striker, does
not hesitate to give decisions for which
there is no law. Charles F. Baldwin,
OF Ohio, is a special agent Of the Pott
Office Department, and has bad occa-
sion q number of times to report POST
masters for neglect OF duty and minor
offenses, which are punishable by a
! penalty OF a fine of no great amount.
Baldwin's salary is 81 800 year with
an allowance OF FIVE dollars day for
xpenses. Inasmuch as special agents
.of the Post Office Department must
live, Mr.. Baldwin, conceiving that he
is also serving as United States Inform
er General, laid claim to one-half the
amount OF such penalties. The matter
was re lerred to Williams, who decided
that Baldwin was entitled to receive
the money as claimed, and under this
decision the money has been regularly
paid him, amounting in all. it is said,
to quite a respectable sum. Persons
| who are tborou ghly versed in the law
aver that Baldwin has no shadow Of a
legal right to these iees, and that Will.
liams' decision is entirely arbitrary.
Governmental Control OF Railways.
The troubles on the lines of Western
railroads have revived the question OF
the power Of Congress 10 assume gu
pervising control over railroads. The
last Massach chusetts Republican Conven-
ton adopted resolution endorsing
such control, and, accordingly, the con'
gressional delegation from that State
will favor any measures tending to that
end. The chairman OF the House Com
mittee on Railways and Canals, Mr..
Hear, of Massachusetts, openly declares
his approval. Mr.. McCreary, OF Iowa,
and Mr.. Hurlbut, Of Illinois. are favor
able towards the Graugers. SO that it
may be inferred that bill will be re-
ported which will bring the question
up. The sentiment on the subject
among the New England and the Mid
die States members is divided. Those
of the Western States are almost unan-
imously in favor Of law that would
provide for the punishment Of persons
using violence to prevent others from
working. The right OF the government
to regulate freigbts, it is claimed By
some, does not involve the right to con-
struct roads. Others say that it does.