Mr. CHANDLER. Amujority of the ComCommerce were opposed to asserting the right of this Government to act independent of the State authority, and the bill could not be reported favorably. recommending its passage, without the amendment to which the Senfrom Ohio objects. Iobject to that amendment as much as he does, and so did a large majorit of the committee. I would much prefer that the Senator should move to strike out that objectionable proviso and take the sense of the Senate upon that, rather than to postpone the bill. I would prefer to pass the bill as it is, rather than not ss it at all; but I should be very lad I WHI not make the motion myself if the Senfrom Ohio would make a motion that that proviso be stricken out. I do not believe that any State can raise a barrier against the commerce of other States. I do not believe it is in the power of any State to raise an obstacle between the different States of this Union. I believe the Government possesses the power to regulate commerce as it sees fit between the several States; and I do not believe that the State of NewJersey or the State of NewYork or any other State can raise an obstacle that shall interfere with the commercial relations between the other States of this Union. I believe it is as much in the power of this Government to build a canal around the falls of Niagara as it is to establish a post route from the city of Washington to the city of Richmond, or from the city of Washington to the city of NewYork. I believe we possess the requisite authority for the purpose under the war power as well as under the power to regulate commerce. As I stated before. a majority of the ComCommerce are against the assertion of that power, but I should be glad to take the sense of the Senate upon that point and I should be glad to take it here. It is well known to the members of the Senate who have been here for the past 4 years that. l have been striving for 4 years to get that power asserted. I should be glad to have it asserted and I shall strive, while I have the honor of it sent in the Senate, to secure the assertion, either upon this or upon some other l bill, of the right and power of Congress to build a railroad wherever it sees fit. without the sanction of the State, where it becomes necessary for us to go in our commercial relations or under the war power.