The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-09-30

In order to show the action and at
titude of the Republican and Demo
critic parties on the question of
cheap transportation, We have been
at some pains to collect the follow
ing facts on the subject from official
records, showing how both parties
acted and voted
The subject was first broached in
the Forty second Congress. On
the 9th day of Januaay. 1873, Hon.
J. B. Hawley Republican, moved
to suspend the rules and pass bill
to provide for the appointment of
commissioners to collect inform
alton in relation to railroads form
ing lines of commerce between
States. OF course, the object of
this inquiry was to see if Congress
had the constitutional right to
regulate the railroads. Pending
the motion, the House adjourned.
On the Sd of February Hawley's
motion came up in the regular
order of business, and was defeated
by vote of rs yeas to 98 nays.
OF those who voted in favor of the
motion there were 50 Republicans,
| 5 Democrats and / Liberal; of those
who voted against it there were 78
Democrats, 10 Republicans and
Liberal. Of the delegation from
this State every Republican voted
for the motion, and every Demo.
crat lNiblack, Kerr and Voorhees,
against it. So the matter was kill.
ed in the Forty second Congress
by Democratic votes, they refusing
even to authorize the appointment
of q committee to collect informa.
ton in regard to the right of Con
gress to regulate the railroads.
On the Goth of January Forty
third Congress] Mr.. McCrary, OF
Iowa, Republican, reported from
his Committee on Railways and
Canals "bill to regulate commerce
by railroads among the several
States, which was ordered printed
and recommitted. February 26th
it was reported back with amend
ments. After some debate, in the
course of which the measure devel
oped unexpected strength, Mr..
Niblack, of this State, moved to lay
it on the table. Motion lost. Mr..
Eldrige Democrat, moved an
adjournment of the House, which
motion also was lost. Finally the
previous question was seconded
and the main question ordered,
when the House adjourned. The
next day, March 26th, the bill! was
read third time and passed by
yeas 121, nays lis. Now mark the
final vote. OF those who voted in
the affirmative there were 115 Re-
publicans, 5 Democrats, and l
Liberal; of those who voted in the
negative, there were 6S Democrats,
A Republicans, and 3 Liberals.
This bill was widely published and
commented on Mt the time It
proved for the regulation Of the
passenger and freight tariffs of all
the railroads in the United States,
according to o just and equitable
and for the secure pro-
lection of the people against ex-
tortionate charges. This bill was
passed in the House by Republican
votes, only five Democrats voting
for it, against one hundred and
fifteen Republicans. So much for
the bill, which passed the House,
but has not yet been acted on by
the Senate.
On the 9th OF February, in the
House, Hon. ]. Q. Smith, Repub-
lican member from Ohio, moved
the suspension of the rules and the
adoption of the following: -
BE it resolved by the Honse OF
That in the iudg-
ment of this House il is within the
power of Congress
by law so to regulate commerce
among these States as to protect
that portion of our internal COM
merce which is among these several
States from all unjust or oppressive
lolls taxations, obstructions or
other burdens, whether imposed
BY railroad companies or by com
binations thereof, or by other com
non carriers, when engaged as the
of such portion of the
of the people; that the
present condition and magnitude
If the commerce among the States
Ire such as to demand the prompt
md wise exercise of the power and
luty declared in this resolution"
This resolution was adopted by
7eas 172, nays 81. OF those who
-oted in the affirmative there were
.56 Republicans, IA Democrats,
n - 4 = 4 4