Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-17
IORTY-FOuRvn CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, February l6.
Logans silver bill made special order for
Monday. The Senate concurrod 10 amendme nts
o the llonse on consular and diplomatic appro-
plittlon bill, and it was passed. Consideration
ofthe Pacific Railroad bill was resumed
Before the rejection of Mr.. Booths amendment
Mr.. Blaine of Maine said he was opposed to the
various provisions of the bill reported by the COM
mittee on railroads. The fifth section of the bill
allowing the companies to anticipate their semi
annual payments discounted at the rate Of per
cent. bad the power Of infinite mischief in it.
lie was opposed to the proyisor in the third Sec
ton making it "a condition that the goyernme MT
should Pafonize the roads in the transportation of
freight, &c. The officers OF the government
should be left free to select the best and cheapest
mans OF transportation. On the other hand he
did not mt an to say lie could support the bill of
the Jud ciary Committee. That bill meant a law
suit, and Congress could not do greater injury
to the United States treasury than TO pass a hill
of that character. The bill meant the laws de-
lay, the laws uncertainty, and thus far the law $
uncertainty had been certainty against the Uni
ted States IN all conflicts between the government
ard the companies. The government had not had
luck IN the courts "a burnt child dreaded the
fire" and he wanted TO keep out of the court.
lie was in favor of some bill TO have a settle.
ment with these companies. If nothing should be
done towards a settlement at the end Of the cen
fury the companies would owe the governmen Mt
over two hundred millions dollars. If the govern
mert s. loud then take possession of the road it
would be cost OF about $4,000 mile, and that
would not be profitable bargain.
There had been good deal said about these
railroad companies being grasping monopoles.
lhey were only men. They had a valuable piece
of property aud they proposed to keep it. To ap-
peal to the courts and fight to the bitter end. He
was IN favor OF some adjustment which would be
Just to the government and fair to the railroad
companies. The amendment submitted yester-
day by the Senator from Iowa (Alison) in the
nature q "a SubStitulp he thouClt met
Us II named no specific sum to be paid, but lett
that with the Secretary of the Treasury. lie
hoped to remain i'll Congress long enough TO see
session 90 by without a railroad bill in it, hut he
was AFRAID he would not be gratified if such bill
as that reported by the Judiciary Committee
should be passed. The railroad companies were
IA position more advantageous than the govern
ment itself, and they could continue the litiga.
ton at the expense of the government
The amendment of SIr. Boo h was rejected,
yeas p, nays 2S,
Mr.. Booth then withdrew another amcnGme Mt
submitted by him on Wednesday, giving to con-
gless the dover to alter, amend or repeal the act.
Mr.. Chrlsidncy moved to strike out the SIKH
and seventh sections of the bill reported by the
committee on railroads, which provides that the
act shall be construed as final settlement be.
tween the government and the companies within
four months of the date of its passage, and so
peal all the acts and pats Of acts inconsistent with
the act.
In lieu Of these sections Mr. Chrstiancy pro-
posed to insert section providing that congress
shall at all times have power TO alter and amend ;,
as well as repeal the act.
Mr.. Chalive submitted an amendment to that Of
Mr.. Chrisliancy, so as to provide that the act
should be construed as final settlement between
the government and companies, if within four
months after It's passage 1t be accepted By the
companies, and provided said companies shall
faithfully comply with all the provisions OF the act
and shall not be in default Of any Of the install
mens when due.
Mr.. Dawes spoke tf the rights Of the govern
ment and rail- Dad companies, and said he was IN
favor Of an amcabe settlement with the govern
nent, there fore he would support any bill to avoid
litigation. lie was in favor of congress ICseTving
the power to alter amend repeal the act but
not IN the shape proposed by the senator from
Michigan, which was "A sort Of a double barrcled
arrangement.
Mr.. Christiancy spoke in favor Of his amend
ment, and said all he wanted was TO have these
rail- DAD co mpanies lay aside fund 20 pay their
indebtedness TO the government.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Wadleigh h,
West, morrill,, Wright and others.
The amendment Of Mr.. Chaiiee was agreed to,
The amendment as amended was agreed to,
yeas Sc, nays ID.
The senate ct o'clock went into executive ses-
sian, and when the doors were reopened took a
recess, until ten o'clock Tomorrow.
House.
The Committee of the Whole at 40 o'clock
rose and a number of bills were passed including
the bill supplementary to the act entitled IAN
act to carry into effect the convention between
the United States and China, concluded on the
Sth OF Nov. 1858, at the Shanghai and Fogio
court of claims, jurisdiction in certain cases.
1t allows certain American Insurance Compan-
les to 20 before the Court Of Claims to make a
against the Chinese indemnity found in the
State department
Recess till 10 o'clock Tomorrow.