The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-09

Mr.. Bridges asked Mr.. Conger whether
he asserted that there was no contract to
pay rent for these mills?
Mr.. Conger replied that in the report
Of the committee there was no proof
more than the assent Of Commissary Bell
to Il suggestion that there should be pay
for the use Of the property, by saying
that il the owners were loyal they could
be paid.
Mr.. Bridges-Does the gentleman deny
that Mr.. Bell had authority 10 make that
statement?
Mr.. Conger-I do, most emphatically.
Mr.. Bell could not bind the country for
all the millions that are 10 follow the
passage Of this bill.
Mr.. Potter sent 10 the Clerks desk and
had read an extract from q decision OF
the Supreme Court announced forty years
ago, 10 the effect that military officer
charged with a particular duty might
impress private property into the public
service or take il for the public use, and
that the Government was unquestionably
bound 10 make full compensation TO the
owner.
Mr.. Hanna said he was apprehensiye
that the House by passing this bill might
commit itself In direction that il would
afterwards regret. He argued that there
was nothing in the case as shown by the
report OF the committee that amounted
to contract, and therefore the War De-
partment was justified in declining for
10 years to regard it as a case Of contract.
Mr. Bragg said that the claim was hon.
est on It's face, but that he was afraid TO
vote for II. It was little suspicious to
him that two loyal Republicans living in
the city oil New York from 1861 to 1877,
with a Republican majority OF nearly
two.thirds in both houses Of Congress,
with Republican Executive and Re-
publican heads OF departments, with New
York influence and backed by the Presi-
dent and Secretary OF State, should have
been unable to get the claim allowed
while their loyal friends were in power,
and came here now TO beseech Conteder.
ates to do them justice.
The discussion closed with an argu.
ment by Mr.. Tucker in favor OF the bill.
The committee then rose and reported
the bill to the House, with recommen.
dation that 1t pass.
The bill was then rejecled-yeas 81,
nays l09.
The affirmative vote came principally
from the Democratic side and the mega
tive from the Republican side, but there
were exceptions 10 the rule on both sides.
Before the announcement OF the vote a
nuestinn aroae As 10 the right OF
member who was absent during the roll
call to vote, Mr.. Mills taking the ground
that member could not be deprived OF
his constitutional right by any rule OF the
House.
TheSpeaker decided with some warmth
that the question had been agitated for
years and had been uniformly decided
against that position; that this was not
in contravention Of any constitutional
right because it was the duty Of the mem.
bers to be present and attend 10 their
public duties, and that the only persons
aggrieyed in such case were the people
whom such members represented. The
decision was aPplauded, particularly on
the Republican side.
The vote having been announced mo-
tion 10 reconsider and 10 lay on the table
was made; but pending the action the
House adjourned after the Speaker an
nouncing that he had appointed Mr..
Wiggington TO ill the vacancy OF the
Committee on Public LandS.
The session oi tomorrow will be Tor
debate only.