The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-02
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s--@-r-s-aS Observation-Disclosures -
WksHfsar6s, Deee tdbsf 5l.s tDta troubles
that have been Incident to The strike along
the great railrsad lines In the West hsva
drawn attention anew to the question OF the
authority OF Congress over TsiIroadss sAt
the last Repub lican Convent on, ID afassas
chusetts among the resolutions adopted was
one affirming thst the Federal Gossrnmept
had authority over railroad IS and other modes
Of transportation, and demanding 5en the
part of the Republicans of Efassachu setts
that such authority should be exeroised.
Under this resolution the Massachusetts del
egation viii no doubt vote for any measure
that may be proposed to give the Govern:
ment such control. Mr.. 9..aF. iHoar, WI no
is a member OK the Committee on Railways
and Canals, is avowedfy In favor Of Federal
control. Among other members Of that
committee are Messrs. McCrary, of Iowa,
and Hurlburt, of Illinois, who are known to
be favorable to the Changers movement,
and it IL, therefore, not unlikely that strong
bin will soon be reported which will open
I'D the whole question for discussion. u
In conversation with New England menu
bers, outside of Massachusetts,, division OF
sentiment Is found, and so with members
from the Middle States. Among Western
members there Is greater unanimity on the
subject. Some members 60 so tar even as TO
Contend that while the General government
could not pass law that would prevent
strikes" they can enact such law as
would punish any person who would use
force and violence to prevent others from
working, or. who should In any manner iu-
pede the progress Of railroad trains. -
The question of the right of the General
Government to regulate freights and trans
dnaS not nooaccor iIx, ;,,,olya ha
question of the right to construct roads
through the States; but there, are pota few
congressman who think the two questions
should be combined in any discussion of the
proposition. Some Of the friends of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company are said to
be strongly in favor Of Government rail-
road system.
The Chicf-Justieeshfp.
Many of the eminent jurists practising be-
fore the Supreme Court are of the opinion
that the personal fitness OF nominee for that
tribunal should be considered as Of para.
mount Importance by the Senate. Hence
they arc looking with much concern upon
the ion of the Senate Judiciary Commit
lee upon the nomination Of Mr. Williams for
chief:justice. The committee, according to
the general understanding, has not been SO
much considering whether the professional
qualifications of Mr. Williams fit him for the
position of chiefjustice as whether alleged
irregularities of official conduct can be salts
factorily explained. Here, where the facts
are we'll known it Is not believed that sat-
istactory explanation can be made Of these
" Irregularities but even if this can be done
there is yet the equally important considera-
ton, upon which there can be no dispute,
that the legal attachments and the i'm partial
Judgment demanded in the incum bent Of an
Office second to no judicial position in the
world are not to be- found in Mr.. Williams.