New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-05
XLvth CONGRESs---IId SESSION.

| THE SENATE STEADILY DEBATING THE RAILR0aA
SINKING FUSD-THg HOUSE REMOVES Door.
KEEPER POLK By 139 TO S0-No SPEECH FROM
Mr.. WOOD.
| SENATE. WASHINGTON. April 4, 1879
In the Senate, to-day, Mr.. ANTHONY (Rep..
r. H. from the Committee on Printing reported reso
luton to print % 900 copies Of the report OF the Com
missioners Of Agriculture ON forestry. Agreed to-
Mr.. MORRILL, (sep, Wy offered q resolution that
select committee be appointed consider the propriey
Of taking the tenth of the United States Agreed
to.
On motion of Mr. HARRIS Dem Tennj the Sonata
took up considered the House bill for the relief Of
James Fshback late collector Of internal revenue Of
the Tenth District OF tho State Of Illinois.
Mr. DAVIS lind, III read q letter stating that Mr.
Fishback had been deaulter to the Government and
that his bOndsmen had been required 10 $1,000
his lie asked that the bill be laid over TIL fur.
Their inquiries could be made. After brief debate the
Mr. GROVER Dem, Oregon introduced bin to pro-
teet attorneys practsng before the paens once and
dietary Committee.
bill TO authorize the Secretary Of War TO prescribe rules
and regulations to be observed In the preparation sub
mission and approval of contracts under the War De-
On motion Of MI. MISDoM lRep;, Mimi the senate
narrow;gauge railroad from Bismarck to the Black
Hills The BIN was read by the Clerk. and at the request
OF Mr. CHRISTIANCY (Rep Mich) who desired 10 offer
amendment. was laid over until tomorrow.
Private bills for the benefit OF the heirs Of William A.
the heirs Of Charles H. Davidson. were placed the
Various memorials petitions. and communications.
presented by the YicePresident and several
ators.
CONGRESS AND THE RAILROADS.
At the expiration the morning hour the Railroad
Funding Bill came up rs the unfinished business and
Mr. MATTHEWS rep, Ohio proceeded to answer the
arguments brought against the Railroad Committees
bill. Mr.. Matthews said in substance: have been
panied 20 hear Mr.. Edmunds refer TO the friends Of
the great and powerful corporations being present on
the oor in the Hobbies and in the galleries Whatever
grain of reality there may be in all this Senators should
be careful how such insinuatons made unless they
have specific charges to present Mr.. Chrisiancy
has said that I have made what IN not
law appear like law, and that 1 have In citing
authorities, stopped at the point where 1t suited my
views and omitted tina. which s against it. have since
carefully revised the citations aud have corrections 10
make The fact that the United States Is creditor and
egislatng for its interests Is wholly immaerial
The rights of the United States precisely like the
rights OF any other creditor, end the situation
not the United States dollar. IN this
discussion. the case should be riable as though some
third party held the lien which the United States
holds, and there shoAld be no further exeron OF power
or exercise OF authority than u the dent rested IN posses
II is well that there Is Pit to power under tue Con-
poWer fat has not been abused How much blood and
have been expended TO establish the axiom that
liberty and property should not be taken without due
In the Acts Of 1862 there Is solemn stipulation that
The stockhoiiers have received dividend OF 10 per
cent and yet the bill of the Judiciary Committee pro-
pose to violate that solemn compact 70 the extent oil -
peT cent of the net earnings Again, the right 20 amend
witch IL reserved, for specific objects IN the Pnbc
Interest The bill proposed here does not pretend 10 DO
for any one OF the specified purposes. The object s not
so much amend the statutes as 10 revise the Judgment
and decision OF The Supreme Court ~ llat eecis.on
had been otherwise this legislation would not nave DSe
tGoaSat O cded aHSn in am ndirect way TO
undo and revise that decision. There must be
we sal not be fee people The idea OF absolusm Is
still living to-day aud It's name Is communism WHEN
holds that the must hold all the railroads. al the
worlshOps aud Tx the wages Of all the wOrkmen.
few years ago il would have been thought unnecessary
door and when these ideas come into Congress they VIII
look long 10 find better exponent OF that theory lnan
the bill now under consideration me case Is now re-
yersed from what II was when, IN the debate on the
Silver Bill this hall resounded WITH appeas 70 sustain
the National honor and National faith IN the Observance
OF contract.
into sinking mud for there l. existing no right to do
So and the roads have defence that1ey owe the Gov
eminent cotning under the contract Nowt y proposed
10 take away that defence. That Is what the Senator
from Vermont calls legislative Jurisprudence call 1t
legislative injustice. II that can be DONE why cannot
by the Government now duet The friends OF the Judi
eay Bin admit 1nat 1ey es bt ca teV can make
the debtor pay II now Why not Openly declare now
urisDFence It is egisiave strategy The power Of
Visitation is in way applicable In this case The only
visitation is the visitation OF PROVIDENCE Ii tue c0ncoc
tlon and introduction OF this bill
Mr. EDMUNDS Caep., vi asked IL there any vie
itation OF Providence in the Railroad Bill.
Mr. MATTHEWS said those on whom the power o.
SLOAN fell were, perhaps not than those who
escaped.
Mr. EDMUNDs-I do not remember that ease
Mr. MATrHEws went on to meet the other arguments
that had been made in support OF the bill. lie SAID Ii
mad been suggested that there could be new remedy
supplied but that Implied prseTSps right and mat
law providing against possible future insolvency. 10
s sena Of hs income ito the treasury to be
his creditors the event OF bis future bankruptcy He
said stood there impressed with tue responsibility OF
what he said and. IL the Government bad to lose AL It
had better do so than give is assent to this BILL which,
I'm effect would upset the decision OF the supreme Court
which determines the relation between these parties.
At the conclusion Of his remarks Mr. Matthews
mtiee which he had offered a substitute. IN order that
there ght be direct vote ON the Judiciary Committees
Mr. CHAFFEE QRep.. COLI, followed in advocacy Of
the fr the pending bill submitted by him yes.
terday. part of which proposes to compel the main
Mi THURMAN dem, Ohio, contended that the bills
nroposed by Mr. Chaftee and the Railroad Committee
provided the money due from the roads for the
per cent OF tine net earnings and ha inc
Government would be required 10 pay interest GU money
Mr. "CoNKGTNG rep. y. " made issue with this
proposition and in the course OF his remarks said be
for If the party had been corporation He would
not do o thing today with these corporations that
fayorite of the Senate. He would never give
n vote prompted or melted by the fact that
the corporations had made and not lost money.
lie had heard statements here and over again. Of
tbe profits they had made and the dividends divided.
ShoiId thew withhold any modcum OF Justice because
nrots and not losses had followed them He favored
ppropositIon that would promote the interests OF
the corporations II. at the same time, the In.
terests of the Government were protected. 10
was he said. proposed now 10 pass nev
Inv after the TWO Houses had agreed 10 submnH
"a The arhitraton OF the Courts. Mr. COnklng said be
had heen into the discussion against his INTENTION
hui he would say that be would enunelate such sen
rnfs aud perfy them into law when II was ascerainea
that there were milder means without departing 80
far from ancient ways, to secure the Government against
further possible loss , -, :, .,,
Mr. THURMAN Dem, Ohio) said that when he coula
obtain the floor without aking the tne oi the senos