Mr. WADE. Mr. President, this question has been long pending before Congress. I believe that during most of the long session last year it was pending before the ComDistCol. The various interests concerned were heard before that committee on several occasions, and I believe that everything that can be said on the subject ro and conwas said to the committee. The bill has been greatly delayed, and there are reasons why it should be passed upon as expeditiously as possible. There was a dispute before the committee, as is very natural in such cases. Those that represent and are interested in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company of course do not wish to have another branch road, coming in competition with theirs, enter the city of Washington. In 1853 the Legislature of Maryland granted a charter to this company to construct a railroad from Baltimore to some point on the Poto mac river not far from Port Tobacco, but not defining exactly where it should run, and only prescribing the route in a general way; and they authorized that company to establish lat eral branches of the road thus provided for, and gave them 4 years within which to commence and finish the road. The company did not commence the road within the time mentioned, and then the Legislature of Maryland granted them a further term of 4 years. Still the road was not constructed, and the legislature lengthened out the time until 1869, and gave them until that period to establish this road with these lateral branches. That is what the Legislature of Maryland has done upon the subject. I have before me the act granting the charter and authorizing the company to build the road and the other acts by which the time has been lengthened out, and how it can be said that there can be any question before the Maryland Legislature in regard to this road at this time I can hardly see, because not less than twice after granting the charter, after full deliberation, the Legislature have continued the rights of this company and for the best of all reasons. They were to construct a railroad from Baltimore to the Potomac river for the purpose of connecting with and continuing the great southern line of travel and communication. Then the Legislature gave the company the right to establish lateral branches, not saying where they should run. Of course they wanted to run a branch into this city. I suppose the line of the main railroad of this company will pass not far from the town of Marlboro’, in i. Prince George's and they propose, I believe, to run a branch from somewhere there into the city; and the only question before Congress now is whether we shall authorize the company to bring their branch into the DistCol and into the city of Washington; and if anybody can show me a reason why we should not do it he will do more than in my judgment has yet been shown. We have now but one railroad entering into this city, and it is a monopoly without a rival. I do not say that that company do not use their privileges reasonably. I am not going to contend now about that, although a good deal of complaint has been made that they do exact unreasonable tolls on those who come over their road; but at all events the public will not suffer if a railroad should be made in some measure in competition with it. I am sure the citizens of this District and the public generally will lose nothing by opening communication from that very garden of Maryland into this city by which marketing can be brought in here much cheaper than in other ways. I do not propose at this time to prolong the argument, because I see no reason why any gentleman should be opposed to permitting a railroad company, having their charter from Maryland to run in that State, to have the privilege of bringing a branch of their road into this city; and that is the only question here. It is said that the Legislature of Maryland are acting upon some question about it. I understand that the corporation have entered upon the construction of this road within the time limited in the charter and the acts of the Legislature giving further time, and with 3 or 4 years to spare they are now working on the ;; so that what the Legislature of Maryland can do in that behalf I am notable to see. I know the right of the company is strenu ously contended against, and it is natural enough that it should be, for undoubtedly it is somewhat opposed to the interests of those who hold the monopoly of the other road; and that is all there is in the case. Shaft the people of this District and the public at large give up their interest to this private incorporation; or shall we, for the public interest, permit another road to come in here? Unless somebody can suggest some reason why it should not be done, I will not prolong the on the subject, but hope that every gentleman will see that the interests of the public and of this District require that this corporation should be authorized to construct this road.