New-York tribune., 1878-04-02
XLvth CONGRESS---IId SESSION

L
| TIE PACIFIC RAILROAD FUNDING BILL DEBATED IN
THE sKNATE-ARNs FOR THE SEVERAL STATES
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS IN THE TWO HOUSES.
SENATE. WASHINGTON. April l. 1878.
Petitions were presented from citizens rep
resentiug the National Export Convention asking aid ia
National lines of steamers. Referred to tue Co
mittee on Commerce.
Also, memorial from the same source asking tnst
the words the twentyArst section of the Tarih BILL
pending the House, which proposes to admit TO reg
stry license enrolment all vessels owned py uneo
States citizens to be srken out Referred to the COM
mittee on Finance
Numerous petitions and memorials relative 20 10th the
service etc. introduced and referred to appropr
Railroads, reported bill extend for eight years the
time for the completion Of the Northern Pacific Railroad
Mr.. WINDOW iRep., Mimi dissented from the report
M. % INGALLS, Gep, KanJ introduced substitute for
bill incorporate the Natona, security is t lns ahc
ss;es snss cS%pany an ne 81 psrst u Columbia
| Mr. EATON (Dem., Comb from the Committee on Ap
nyestigating the Frcedmens Hospital in the District OF
| Columbia. Ordered printed aud recommtted;
the time for the construction aud completion OF the
Northern Pacific Railroad. Referred to the COMMITTEES
Mr. CHRTsTIAYcY Gcp., Mich). from the Committee
Revision OF the Laws reported resolution 70 ptovlue @
edition Of the Re yised Statutes ana lor per
feced index OF the first volume Agreed 20. o,,,o,
Mr. EDMUNDs Rep ytl offered olnt resolution .isnt
providing the safe keeping. In the state Department
Of records OF the Commission on the Electoral Count
Mr.. C0NKLING Cisep n W introduced resolution,
which agreed TO. directing the Judiciary Comstee
ia nIwiuy used aud requesting the secretary of the
Treasury to take action relative thereto pending such
On motion OF Mr.. WINDOW Rep., Minn) the bill
appropralng $1,000 for filling up & the & low N RToaai
on motion Of Dir. FERRY (Rep, Mch). the bin to reg
lr.tI
poses taken up and after the adoption of sundry
amendments was passed
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS
SIR. BECK IL ADVOCACY or THE JUDICIARY COM
MITrEE's BILL
The Senate then resumed the consideration OF the
Pacific Railroad Funding Bill.
MIR BECK (Dem., ky.) said the bill Of the Judiciary
Committee seemed so just and fair that 1t seemed
| hardly necessary TO speak in its favor. The
roads would never have received the money from
the Government hut for tue understanding that II would
De returned and II the duty Of Congress to see mat
prov made it's ~ the maturity OF the
bonds This due to the people Of the country. 1t
evden that as the matter now Stood neither the
first bonds the debt and interest due to the
Government would be paid at maturity and 1t was evl-
dent that the company was taxing u" steps 10 pay sse
obligations Every day the Goycrimeh was az arii',e ,h
away from the security which was due 10 the
people for the return of me Pnne money sa
said would before the maturity OF me Dohd5, Dc III lhe
hands OF the directors and s0ckhoders oi THESE ioads
Tnr roads would bc sold to satisfy the first MORTGAGE
bonds, and these directors and stockolders would py
with the claim of the Government wlped out ne qu1tea
official data and former reports Congress to snow
the enormous debt that would be que 70 ,he
Government at the maturity Of the bOnds and that
it was not the intention Of tue company 10 hiahe
provision for the payment Of MS oOllgaiions
lie next proceeded to snow that the companies were
amply able 10 meet the requirements OF the Judiciary
Committees bill. and In support Of this read from the
reports Of the Government Directors aud the the es
tnony of officers ol the roads Referring to the sub
po.a o ne roads. Congress was here to make laws.
aud not 10 entertain PROPOSALS for BARGAINS Unless
ernment, the property would be divided among stock
holders and there would be nothing eft to secure the
Government. The companies knew the hostility there
to the Government taking the roads and running
them on Government account and presumed on ths to
retain of the roads without thought OF meeting
their obligations TO the United states The bl of the
which violated the right of contract change in the
tariff or revenue Laws was just much violation OF the
reh OF contract as the pr1y of the bill Fae right
reserved alter. amend or repeal was pari OF the
the contract Ia ths face of the ayowa the com.
palcs intended 10 save nothing To pay their obligations
IL annoyed him Ia Had those who declared this effort
10 project the rights of the Government ard Sc
the return of the money ~rung from the sweat Of
the people wrong and OUTRAGE upon the rights Of the
companies. Rather than permit This O. 90 on he would
exercise the right of repeal which had been enforced
too often to be- questioned now. By this, something
could saved. winch would bo better tnan To lose ALL
Would auyooly have doubted. ne asked. the righi 0f
the Government 10 repeal the ac,s when tne Credit
Jlate Tie contract and absorb the money OF tie
people a. trustees Of these vested rights OF he people
and "'s 80 a@eni The law tat they viii be sessTe
given the roads more lands than were embraced
In six Of the States represented by twelve sen;
their way It would not be long before they
were represented by more than twelve Senators.
MIR. CHuIsTiANCys REPLY TO MR. NIL.
Mr.. CHRIsrIAECY G,ep., MichJ said he proposed to
briefly reply t. Mr. iIls argument In relation to the bl
being violation Of the rights OF contract holding that
Mr. H was wrong Ia his premises. and that beng thus
wrong In ms premises ms arguments fell 10 the ground
Ie took issue with Mr. IIfl 20 the vested rights OF
and aim ttrH lie
Judiciary Bal only look to an enforcement OF tne
the power TO amend was reserved in the acts and
that reservation Nas accepted by the company. Ihis
gave the right to alter amend anything other lhJn
Vc ted rights and where there reservation there
could BE- no vested rights Congress held the power
trIms Tia" power had not been parted WITH and, tcndn
mg with the Government such powers could not, there
fore, become vested In any other body.
ISSUE or ARMS TO THE STATES.
The funding bill was then temporarily laid
aside, aud, ON motion Of Mr.. COKE SDrm.; Tfxesl,
Revised Statutes relative 10 ne Issue of arms 10 me sey
eral States. taken up Mr. Coko said the bill, as
originally introduced by him. was IN the exact wo ds or
thc Act of April 2 lsOS. except the appropriation of
100000 for arning the militia was raised to Tl.OOO-
vding that the should remain the properly
the United States. aud an annual report
liability for their loss damage beyond ordinary wear
lie now proposed additional amendmeut permitting
select tine style Of arms they Thought best for
the militia oi their poeye states lie said that whed
the law was passed making the annual appropriation
800 900, population less than seven millions,
mat In proportion 10 population the sum named IN
this bill was equal the Appropriation then made
He extOled the militia as the bnwark OF National
defence, and said there was popular hostility to large
r. cgular armies.
Mr.. MORRILL, Or p, VT thought II inopportdne to IN
the expenditures OF the Government SeOo,oO0
Neither the Army the Navy being increased
and little was being done for fo tlncations. There
was no exigency existing and II The arms were Issued
now they would Do useless should there be ncces
sity to call upon the militia. lie proposed an amend
ment to reduce the amount TO S2Oo,OO0 He thought
the OF the bill proper.
Pending further consideration OF the bill. the Senate
went executive session. and when the doors were
again rcopened. at o'clock. adjourned
UnI'Cp OE DEppEscNTlTJVES