The New York herald., 1877-02-07
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.

PROCEEDINGS or CONGRESS-.
TIE PACIFIC RAILROAD rxDEBrEDSEss-DE-
BATE IN THE sENATE--THE PRESIDENTS
VETO OF THE DISTRICT POLICE BILL sUs-
rAINED-THE DEFICIENCY BILL IN THE
HOUSE. FM
wAsuixoros, Feb Q, 1871
Al the expiration Of the morning hour the Senate re-
sumed consideration OF the unfinished business being
the bill 70 amend the Pacific Railroad act 70
create sinking fund for liquidation OF the indebted
ness 10 the government Of the Pacific Railroad Com
pany
sPE8CH HiTCHcocz
Mr.. HITCHCOCK, Of Nebraska spoke IN opposition e
the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee. he re-
serred TO the advantages which had enjoyed by
the country account Of the construction OF
the Pacific Railroad, and said shat prior 10 1862
the transportation Of mails and munitions Of
the West the government 81, 300 900 per snn:m.
while the whole amount Of Interest u paid the
Pacific Railroad amounted 30 but $3.50 600 per
nun The people OF this country expected that
the bonds loaned TO the Pacific Railroad companies
would be paid except BY transporting mails, &C, Tor
the government
In support OF his argument no quoted extensively
from the debates In Congress when the original
passed He commended that tho bill reported by the
Judiciary Committee proposed contract, diner
enl one IRON that which the country offered to the
capitalists 10 build this road when is In dan
ger OF losing It's Pacific possessions He DID not be-
hevc the American people desired bill OF this kind
pass violated the contract OF the government and
could not be justified. The American people did not
require their representatives here 10 enact such .
measure In tn eir name
Mr. BOUTWELL,. OF Massachusetts, said he only pro-
posed discuss some OF the ogal points involved In
the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee He
quoted from the Pacific Railroad acts, and denied that
Congress had power TO alter and amend
them At pleasure There were some thiugs
winch the Legislative power was not COM
pctent 10 do II these railroad corporations
had done the things they promised 10 DO The govern
ment was bound to do the things II promised 10 do.
The government no. only agreed 70 issue It's bonds,
but agreed wait certain time for their payment
and the bill reported by the Judiciary Committee
meant that they should be paid a. another time than
that contemplated In the original act
X. cONKLIx0.
Mr.. CoYxLiSG, OF New York, said he regretted that
many were absent while the discussion
In progress. There were urgent reasons for some
legislation in regard TO the Pacific Railroad indebted
FtrsLThe United States desired and should have
indemnity the past and security tor the future.
Second-Tho managers ofsthese large roads should be
allowed address themselves the thorough manage
ment OF their roads, and should be dism from
tendance at Washington 10 defend themselves against
the Legislative controversies in which they had been
fhird-lt was desirable that Congress should be
acquitted OF this subject which Tor years had con-
sumed SO much time
He then read from decision Of Judge Grier Of the
United States supreme Court TO the effect that
the governments became partner In trading corp0-
Invested itself Of sovereign character and
became an Individual Resuming MS argument he
said II had been stated and again that these
roads in default IN their payment the govern
menr. Ii such default did exist. It would go tar TO
The default did not exist there was scarcely founda
ton or footing Tor such bill AZ that reported BY the
judiciary Committee. The Supreme Court had unani-
mousy decided That there never had been right
part the United States to exact cain the
tercst the bonds loaned TO the Pacific railroad
panics II matured tut the maturity Of the bonds
and not I'LL then, would the claim of the United States
Tor interest begin He referred the provision
OF law requiring the roads TO pay into the Treasury
had authorized suits TO be instituted to determine
what the net earrings were. Judgment had been en-
tered favor OF the stand taken ny the companies
way to the Supreme Court Was IL proper for Con-
gress by legislative act to adjudcae question
before the courts? great government should not
put itself in the attitude which individual would not
be allowed 10 occupy To do so would be 0 blunder
Mr.. GORDON OF Georgia, then took the door, with
the understanding that he would proceed with his
remarks Tomorrow, aud the bill was then laid aside
informally, with the understanding that u should be
the unfinished business tomorrow.
Mr.. ALLISON OF Iowa, gave notice that he would
call the Indian Appropriation D at the expiration
OF the morning hour to-rnorrow.
Mr.. WxsT--lf you cun get the foor. That depends
rHx DISTRICT POLICE BOARD
Mr.. INGALLS,, Of Kansas, suid the bill abolishlng the
Board oi Metropolitan Police Commissioners OF the
District of Columbia with the Presidents veto, was
lying upon the table, tho committee having recon-
mended that II be passed Notwithstanding the objec-
important that that matter should be determined
way the 0ther Al present the police force OF the
District demoralized
Mr.. WHITE. OF Maryland said that, as a member Of
the committee TO frame permanent form OF govern
mcn Tor the District Of Columbia. he satisfied that
the police should be under control OF the District Com
missioncrs. He agreed with the Senator from Kansas
(Mr lngals) that the bill should be acted on
Sir. INGALLS, said the police force demorazed
account OF the uncertainty as to how It was 10 be
governed. In "a short tina there would DO great
tom ' Of governor HayesausSor on the demoora.ic
slde)and there should be an efficient police force to
protect lie and property.
this bill over the veto Of the President. the
whole PERSONNEL OF the Police Board had been changed
Mr. MERRrMox, OF North Carolina, said there were
two three heads TO the District government First
board, police board and board govern the Fire
Department He thought II would be much better TO
have all under tho District Commissioners
Pho subject further discussed by Messrs Logan,
Wright Merrmon and others, and the question being,
Shall the bil pass notwtnstandng the objections Of
tive-yeas 81 nays q -two-thrds no. voting IN the
Affirmative
Tho vote detail was follows:--
yEAs-Messrs Alsorn. Basnunl. Blaine. Boey. Booth,
Of fa ons of Se, ky Iss
McDonad. Maxey Merrnon. Norwood Robertson Steven
son Teller. Wadleign, Wallace. Whyte and Withers- 80
NAYs-Messrs. Allison brice. Burnside. christiancy.
sas u" csan HeXan Paadoss PsssessSa saa
gent. sherman spencer. West. windpm and Wright-22
The SENATE then. at twenty minutes to Ave, went
into executive sess on ana when the doors were
opened took rtces until len O'Clock TO- morrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, Feb. o, lST7.
The House, at ten minutes past twelve O'Clock. went
into Committee OF the Whole (Mr. Eden OF Illinois, in