The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-04-12
WASHINGTON. d. O.

Yesterday, az is nearly always the
case on Monday, was dull day 80 far
as Congressional proceedings are con
eerned. In the Senate, Mr. Christiancy
made careful legal argument en- sena-
tor Thurman's bill to provide sinking
fund for the Pacific railroads. He took
the ground that the Government has a
legal right to provide for the payment
of the roads indebtedness in this way,
and that il the companies are honest in
their intention to pay they cannot OBJ
iect to the plan. Senator ChriBtiancy
had evidently spent much time and Ia
Dor in the preparation Of his speech,
and he delivered il with tho ealmness
and force of decision from the bench.
He looks upon this question as one of
great Importance, and, although his ef
fort yesterday was wanting in the sensa-
tional effect of his maiden speech, with
Its almost unique view of the Pinch
back case, it is looked upon as the nblest
speech he has made in the Senate. He
spoke from the desk of Senator Conk
ling, and the seats in the immediate vi
cinity of this central position were oc-
cupied by Senators Thurman, Hoar,
Davis Of Illinois, and other Senators
who enjoy legal argument. The Judi.
ciary COMMITTEES, it will be remembered,
were unanimous in their report on this
bill, and they feel deep interest in its
passage. 1t was agreed that each mem
Der Of the committee would support the
bill by speech in the Senate. sena-
tors Thurman, Davis and Christianoy
have already spoken. Senator Ed
munds will speak next, and after him
will come Senators Mcdonald and Conk.
ling. 1t is not usual for committee
TO support bill with such unanimity,
but, notwithstanding the weight Of tai
ent in favor of this bill, another bill re-
ported by the Committee ou Rsilroals
seems to have the more general ap
proval of the Senate. Much time in
Congress has been taken us with pro
posed railroad legislation, and il is prob
able that the discussion Of questions re-
lating to transportation will result in
enaetments unfaverable to the corpora
tions. A Senator from an Eastern
State proposes soon to present
bill to regulate railroad tariffs through
out the country. He claims that Con
gress has the constitutional right to
control railroads, to a certain extent.
and he thinks that in the interest Of |
public policy this power should be cxer-
cised. The Senator says the railroads
have formed gigantic combination,
and that their aggregate receipts exceed |
the revenue of the United States; that
the railroad companies, through combi.
nation, have become SO solidifed, and
30 well organized, that their portentious
influence threatens every other interest, |
and that there is imminent need that |
Congress should como to the rescue Of |
tho people. He has not yet drafted a
bill, nor even sketched its provisions,
but he is giving the question careful |
study, and posting himself as to the |
authority Of Congress over Transports
tion lines and public carriers The Som
ator will present his bill with strong
arguments, and will adduce many in
stances of unfair discrimination by rail
roads: as for example, the rate on -four
from central Indiana to Now York is
about.50 cents, while only 90 cents is
charged from st. Louis. The railroads
will, of course, oppose the bill, and they
will not be without powerful friends in
Congress.
The Dean-Field contest in the House
has been postponed until next Tuesday.
These contested seats always produce
moro or less excitement in Congress,
hence its postponement was serious
disappointment to those in the galleries
who bad como to see the fun. To-day
a matter of greater interest than con-
tested seat will c3me up, in the report
of the committee that has had under
investigation the conduct of Doorkeep-
er Polk. The report exonerates him
from corruption or any practices that
can affect his honor, but imPeaches his
prudence, and recommends his removal,
on the ground of what may be termed |
an iniudicious distribution of the places
under his control. This, when trans
lated, means that Colonel Polk has |
yielded to the onset of clamorous Con- |
gressmen demanding more offices for
their vagabond relatives than the pay
roll will accommodate, and he must now
suffer alone the penalty that should be
visited on others. Or, IN other words,
must be made scapegoat, b"rdened |
with the follies of Democratic oiIce-
seekers and their Congressional hackers.
Gen. Bragg has introduced in the
House new bill for the pay of the
Army, which is backed by the Military