The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-04-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
Discussion Of the Railroad Bill Ia
the Senate.
An Unfortunate AlIusion by Senator
Thurman.
Blaine Reminds Him Of the Indiar
Bonds Stolen by Confederate
Thompson.
SENATE.
WAsH1soros, Apri

Mr.. Cockrell, from the Committee o
Military Affairs, reported the House re,
olution granting the use OF the artiller,
&c., for the Soldiers Reunion at Mari
eta, Ohio, September IS. Placed on th
calendar.
The resolution to transfer to the Stat
Department, for safe keeping, the record
OF the Commission in the electoral coun
was agreed to.
The bill for the relief Of Thomas J
Choate and others, late privates in Com
pany F Of the Third Arkansas Cavalry
was passed.
The bill for the relief Of VIM. L. Hick
man, was also passed.
Mr.. Burnside called up as a special OF
der, the bill TO remove all the restrit
tions now existing 10 regard to the enlis,
ment OF colored cilizens In any arm Q
the United States.
After the discussion the bill was re
committed with the amendment propose'
by Mr.. Blaine; that hereafter colore
men shall have full right to enlist in al
arms OF service.
The railroad funding bill came up a
unfinished business, and MIR. Morrill, ad
dressed the Senate in support OF the Ju
dietary Committee bill,
Mr.. Morrill, having concluded, Nj
Thurman gave notice that he would oi
fer an amendment making the fret mort
gage bond OF companies one OF class Q
bonds in which the sinking fund proposes
may be invested.
Mr. Blaine asked how II would be, i
this amendment was adopted, in case III
bonds ahould be stolen, as in the case
the Indian trust bonds, in the lnterio
Department, some years ago.
Mr.. Thurman said the Democrats wonl'
be In power 10 1881, and then ther
would be no trouble about bonds bsinl
stolen.
Mr.. Blaine said It was when the Ssna
tors party was in power that the bond
were stolen. It was the recollection o
this fact that led him TO make the 10
quiry.
Adiscussion sprung up from this as L
the responsibility for sinking fund AM
different rates OF interest between di fer
ent bonds held as sinking fund ant
bonds issued to company.
Mr.. Blaine said that the managers 0
the roads say that II permitted to Great
their own sinking fund they might max
it pay higher rate OF interest. Il nigh
be that these men could do so with safety
but they might not be there 20 year
hanee and nnder other management th)
bonds might take wings aud fly away a
the Indian bonds did. Therefore it wa
wise provision that the governmen
should be the custodian Of this fund, bn
was there not ashade Of equity in relation
to this difference Of profit on the fnn'
that the companies il permitted to con,
troll it could make BE thought thi
fund might be turned into the Treasur!
Just as the naval pension and Geney'
award fund are held. .
Mr.. Blaine said: For fifteen years h
had been in Congress and the Paciti
roads had been before Congress in som,
way. He had an ambition 10 surviy,
this legislation, but under the proposes
bill there was no possibility of settle
ment. Would 1t not be better to say ex
ac,ly what was required Of the road
and then let them rest. So long - thes
subjects could be brought before CongreA
Congress would be made the tail TO III
kite Of Wall street. Legislation wa
constantly proposed in order to effect th
stock market 10 New York. he did no
think II contrary to the spirit OF the bill
to add a proviso that 80 long as the road
comply with the provisions Of the acts Q
'62 and '64 and Of this act II shall b
taken "a q full performance OF their obi
CATIONS. As to the sinking fund le
something be done 10 keep II from bein
running sore for the next 10 or 20 year
Mr.. Thurman said experience was a
answer 10 the Senator from Maint
During the two years this subject ha
been before the Senate he had never seel
lobbyist hostile to the roads; he ha
seen the lobbyists Of the road In the Com
mit,ee rooms, in the corridora. In the gal
leries, on the hoors and Al the houses
Senators. II they were to be tied up 70
the next twenty years he wanted quit
different bill from this. He would muc
prefer TO let the Law stand "a 1t Is than I
lie up the hsnds ol the Government 10
the next twenty years.
Mr.. Edmunds argued that the positio
OF the Government was not as IN antaa
onist but as an impartial tribunal, whic
should Judge and decide from time I
time, a. different questions arite. !
might be that the business Of th
roads whould be so conducted thi
II would be the duty Of Congress here
after to require them TO do more an
different from what they do now. A
had been said BY the aenstor from Obi
| (Thurman), there had been no pressure
private interests on Congress again
these corporations. He had heard {
fifty cents line being paid for editorial
lin newspapers TO influence Legislation
BE supposed q higher rate was paid NOS
What Ii was costing now they would I'm
ont before they got through.
After further debate, Mr.. Harris move
that the bill for the relief Of the boo
agent Of the Methodist Church South !
made the special order for next Wednei
day. Rejected; not two.thirds voting
the affirmative. 3t
After an executive session, adjonruet
HOUSE.
Mr.. sayler, from the Committee Q
Ways and Means, reported the bill /
prevent default or delay in the paymei
Of the interest on 3.65 District OF Colum
bia bonds. Il authorized the SecretAr
| Of the Treasury TO pay the interest Q
such bonds Us may fall due, and direc
| the Commissioners Of the District |
transfer into the United States Treasur
before June 18th OF each year, the sui
advanced ioe the payment Of interei
from any revenue in the District subjst
| 10 their requisilion. Referred to ii
Committee OF the Whole.
A Joint resolution was reported authol
| king the Commissioner having in chare
the Washington monument 70 appl
$4,000 to giving. greater stability
the foundation.
After debate Mr.. Cox, Of New Yorl
moYed 70 lay the bill on the table, whic
was defeated BY 81 70 So. The bill wi
then passed.
Il was voted yeas 14s, nays 70, to tai
MP for consideration the report oil ID
| Committee on Civil Service Reform |
regard TO the case Of Doorkeeper Polk.
Mr.. Harris proceeded 10 explain ii