Mr. SHELLABARGEIL There are one or 2 provisions in this bill that I desire to call attention to, and then ask a question about it in view of some remarks made by the Gentfrom Maryland. I understand the main objection that the gentleman makes to this bill is that it proposes to seize upon the property of another corporation to which the faith of this Government is pledged and from which the Government has received valuable considerations. Now, then, the gravity of such an objection as that must be obvious to every body; and if the bill is justly liable to that objection it cannot well be passed by this House. The suggestions which I desire to make, and upon whi I wish to hear the Gentfrom Will the Gentfrom Maryland, are these: 1st, I understand the bill does not propose to seize any property except so far as it proposes that the Government, in its right of government domain, shall authorize the seizure of property by the corporation which the bill proposes to create. suppose that the Gentfrom Maryland, who is a distinguished lawyer, does not deny that it is competent for the Government of the U.S., whenever it may create a corporation and confer these rights of eminent domain, to authorize the seizure, in virtue of that right, of any property, although it may be the property of a corporation. Now, is there anything else in the provisions of this bill than an authority bestowed by the government of the U.S. upon a new corporation to take, in the exercise of the right of eminent domain, the property of another corporation (assuming that this is the property of another corporation) upon paying for it. If this be so, then it seems to me to obviate most of the objections which are urged. The other suggestion which Idesire to make is based upon the 17th section of the bill, which providesThat nothing in this act containedshall beheld or deemed.in any manneror way, to injure or impair any public or private rights or interests or in any 7 manner to affectthe same beyond the meretransfer of the rights of the U.S.to said DistCol Canal and SewerageCompany. In other words, so far as this bill attempts to do anything beyond the authorization of the exercise of the right of eminent domain and of payment for property taken under it, the bill only proposes to quit claim whatever interests the Government may have.