Mr. GOr‘FROTH. Mr. Speaker. I would hesitate as long as any other member of the House before I would take away a right nar ant.ied to any State. The hi.story of. the cais l latmn of Pennsylvania on railroads ls such that, t the interests of the people require the passage of this bill. The Pittsburg and Connellsville railroad was chartered some years ago, and a great part. of it had been put. under contract when the Pennsylvania Legislature repealed the charter of the company and thus prevented the road from asuedy completion. New, sir. after such cont uct, what can we expect from the Pennsylvania Legislature? ltnppears to me, judging from its legislation. to be held in the socket or kept under the influence of the eastern portion of the State. We have appealed in vain to the Legislature of Pennsyl vania to respect the railroad interest of the southwestern portion of the State and all our appeals have been spurned and refused. It is true that our people are in favor of a neral railrOad hill. But. the' are especially in favor of the passage of this bill by Congress, and the construction ot the fittsburg and conncllsville railroad, which passes through the richest mineral regions of our State. My friendfrom Ohio [Mr. Ls BLONDl asks. what is the necessity for this now in a time of wace'l Sir, now is the time to secure the construction of this road. If it had been made before the late war began millions and millions of dollars would have been saved to this country. It would have paid itself ten times over in transporting for the Garcrnment soldiers, arms, and ammunition from the West.to the seat'of war. I am therefore in favor of the passage of this bill. It is not destroying the rights of any parties, but I believe it is only I doing justice to the great Northwest and the western and southern parts of Pennsylvania. Their interests demand it, and they appeal to Congress to pass this bill that they may be protected from the monopoly that new rules the Legislature of Pennsyllvania.