The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-03-19
should become 4 law The GoYernment

6th section Of that bill provided
for the acceptance Of the act by the
Railroad Companies, but they would
never assent to Il unless they saw 1t would
be better for them than the present law.
Suppose The companies would not accept,
the government would stand next year in
regard to the sinking fund, just where 1t
stood to-day. BE had seen enough, how.
ever, to know that the companies would
accept this bill. They would gladly pay
millions for its passage though he did not
mean to say they were paying for its pas
age, but the newspapers oil the country,
those manufacturers OF public opinion,
were just % ready in these hard times to
advocate tkis or any other measure at
very reduced rates. He then replied to
the legal points OF the argument Of Matt
hews in favor Of the bill reported by the
Railroad Committee, and said that the
Senator had evidently studied carefully
the few decisions calculated TO strengthen
his position, but he had not noticed the
many calculated to weaken his case,
The argument Of the Senator from
Ohio Matthews), that It was an
absurdity TO claim that Congress had the
power to alter, amend or repeal the char
ters was all wrong. There were many
other subjects OF legislation in which
amounts much larger than the total value
OF the Pacific railroad were involved and
yet they we're always subject TO the sonDd
sense and good judgment Of Congress.
Take the tariff laws for instance. Thou
sands Of millions Of dollars were depend.
emit on the judgment Of Congress, but did
any one see an absurdity in the power Of
Congress to alter the tariff law. He did
not contend that the power Of Congress
went so far as TO diyest property otrights,
but II was ample to legislate so as 70 COM
pei the companies TO provide a sinking
fund. BE quoted from numerous legal
decisions in support OF his argument, and
said that Congress was doing nothing
more than asking these companies TO put
themselves upon the business principles
OF common business men and OF honest
men, and begin 10 provide for the sink.
ing fund TO lequidate the debt due the
government. When 1t should mature
the Supreme Court of the United States
had decided the question Of power inyoly.
ed in this controversy against the posi.
tion taken by the Senator from Ohio,
(Matthews) and in favor Of the position
now occupied by the judiciary Commit.
tee, and the bill as reported theretrom.
In conclusion he spoke ot the argument
OF Mr.. Matthews as one OF ability, and
said he knew OF no one able to make such
an argument as that Senator on such u
scanty supply Of legal decisions. He I'D.
mired the Senator for his skill, but could
not appreciate his logic. He made the |
whole matter appear something like law,
although there was so little law in it.
Pending discussion, Mr.. Sargent sub.
mitted several amendments to the bill to
orgsnize the lie saving and coast guard
service and II was ordered to be printed
and laid on the table.
The amendments provide that the
Secretary OF the Navy may accept the
seryices Of volunteer crews at any Of the
life.saying stations, who shall be subject
when on duty to the rules and regula'
tions Of the service. II also provides for
the drill OF such volunteers once each
month, and each man shall receive So
per day for snch drill; and in case OF 8
wreck, where such volunteers are instru.
mental in saving life, they shall each re.
ceiye $40; or where engaged in saving
property, they shall receive So each for
each day employed. Another amendment
provides for the care Of the property
saved and its delivery to its owners, etc.
Mr.. Morgan then took the tloor to
speak on the Pacific Railroad Sinkingl
Fund Bill, and the Senate went into ex
ecutiye session, and when the doors rel
opened the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Springer moved to suspend the
rules and pass bill authorizing the coin
age Of silver on the same terms as the
coinage Of gold, without expense to the
holder Of the bullion, and also authorize
the issue OF coin certificates on the depos.
1t OF silver bullion similar to those now
authorized on the deposit Of gold bullion.
On pipd roee vote, the ayes were in .
decided minority, but before vote BY
yeas and nays could be taken the hour OF
2 o'clock arrived, and the House, under
rule, proceeded to the confederation of
business Of the District Of Columbia.
The following bills were introduced
and referred:
By Mr.. Vance: Granting pensions to
soldiers who enlisted out Of prisons.
Also for the pay ment Of certain Southern
mail contractors. This bill provides
that no claims shall be paid which have
heretofore been paid hy the Confederate
Government.
By Mr.. Money: Granting alternate sec.
tions OF lands 10 the State oi Mississippi
to aid in the construction Of the Ship
Island, Ripley 4 Kentucky Railroad.
BY Mr.. Willis, Of KY: Establishing q
mint at Louisville.
By Mr.. Simpson: Proposing 40 amend
ment to the Constitution providing that
the President shall be elected BY direct
vote Of the people.
BY Mr.. Cenger: Repeating the law ap:
propriating SS75, 900 for the payment of
certain Southern mail contractors.
BY Mr.. Ewing. To grant TO the State
Of Ohio unsold public lands remaining
in that State,
By Nj. Coz, Of N. Y: For the erection
Of q monument over the grave ot Thomas
Jefferson.
Mr.. Mayham, from the District Of
Columbia Committee, reported bill In
vesting the District Commissioners with
the power Of the late Board Of Audit for
the purpose Of issuing certificates on the
claims allowed by such Board, but for
which no certificates had been prepared.
It also provides that the outstanding cer'
tiicates Issued by the Board Of Audit or
which shall hereafter be issued by the
Commissioners shall be convertible into
65 bonds. The bill was referred TO .
Committee oil the Whole, and the House
resolved itself into such committee, Mr..
slenSer In the chair, for the purpose Of
considering this bill.
Mr.. Eden opposed the bill. He some
times heard about the paving Of Southern
claims, but he never had seen batch Of
claims that he thought so littleof rs this
mass OF rotten claims, which came up
from the purlieus Of the old Washington
ring.