The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-08
XLTvTH CONGRESS- Second Session.
.. WAsHINGToN, February 7, 1877.

III WASHINGTON, February Z, 1877.
SENATE.
The bill allowing the commissioners Of
the Freedmen's Bank to buy IN certain pro-
perry and sell certain property at private
sale was passed. s -.az.' -ass 't#
Mr.. Wright, from the Committee on
Claims, reported adversely on the bill to re-
open the slate and settle claims OF several
States against the United States for adj
vances made in the war Of 1912, and on the
bill for the relief OF persons having claims
against the United States under the provi-
sions OF the captured and abandoned
property act; both Of which were indef-
nitely postponed. a....-a.
fund for the liquidation Of the indebtedness
he believed the bill introduced by him and
reported favorably by the Committee on
Railroads was in accordance with the con-
tract made by the Government with the Pa
cifc Railroad companies; that the bill was
more certain than the bill reported by the
Judiciary Committee, and it would produce
the great result which all desired, and that
was to protect the Treasury OF the United
States. He spoke Of the advantages gained
by the construction Of the Pacific railroad,
and argued that the controlling motive in
granting aid TO them was to secure their
construction and the use thereof for
the benefit OF the Government ITSELF
He argued that it was the duty Of Congress
now to see that these roads furnished cheap
and prompt transportation for the Govern
ment, and also that the interest of the Gov
eminent shall not be jeopardized. The
bill reported by the Railroad Committee
took complete care Of the money interests
OF the Government, and it violated no
pledges. Should the bill reported by the
Judiciary Committee become law the first
thing under it would be a lawsuit, the end
informed that the bill which he had the
honor to introduce, and which had
been reported favorably by the Commit
tee on Railroads, would be accepted by
the railroad companies, and it would pro-
duce result which, to say the least, would
be doubtful under the bill OF the Judiciary
Committee. The latter bill was Of doubtful
constitutionality, and should not be passed.
Referring to the first section Of that BILL
declaring what slsall be the net earnings OF
tie roads, he asked who could tell what the
net earnings would be after the competing
lines shall have been completed? Would
twenty-five per cent. of the net earnings be
sufficient to pay the Indebtedness in the
specified time after the Texas Pacific rail-
road shall have been completed, or after the
completion Of the waterway across the
Isthmus, which would reduce the freight
rates from the Pacific coast very low? Was
it sensible for the Government to lean upon
such tender support as the Judiciary Com
mittee's bill offered?
In his opinion there never had been in
troduced in Congress bill which would be
more uncertain in its results. In the bill
reported by the Committee on Railroads
there was no ambiguity or uncertainty. 1t
was plain, direct, and to the point. He
proposed to exact from these railroad COM
panles the last dollar due the Government
on account of aid extended to them, but he
desired to do so by the shortest process
compatible with the plighted faith Of the
Government. Believing the bill reported
By the Committee on Railroads saved the
money, credit, and plighted faith Of the
Government, he therefore moved it as sub
stitute for the bill reported by the Judiciary
Committee.
The Pacific Railroad sinking-fund bill was
discussed to adjourn ment.
H., HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The bill to relieve General Dabney NJ.
Scales OF his political disabilities was pre-
sented. ..- E...
The deficiency bill was considered with
out action,