Mr. MOORHEAD. Mr. Speaker, I was somewhat astonished at the closing remark of my colleague, that the proper way would be for this committee to bring in a bill to authorize any company to make a road anywhere. Hawing been a Democrat a great many years, and my fricndi'rom Lancaster [Mr. S'rnvsxs] thinking my Democratic principles still stick to me, H have doubts about the authority of Congress. think we have power to grant a remedy where roads running from one State to another, under charters granted by these respective States, are interfered with by either one of them from interested motives or through influences brought to bear in any particular way, to annul the grant. I think Congress has the right to step in and afford a remedy and confirm the rights to the people. That is the case here. The Pittshurg and Fort Wayne railroad passes through 4 different States. It has been chartered by the States of Pennsylvania, Indiana. Ohio, and Illinois. If anyone of these States should interfere with that road, I think it would be proper for Congress to step in and say “ Hands 05'! This road shall be permitted to go on." That is the case here. Here was a charter granted by the Legislature of Ohio and a charter granted by the legislature of Pennsylvania for the construction of these roads or this road. The Pennsylvania charter has been repealed after the Ohio portion of the road ha been completed, or nearly so and now the cotnpan very properly come to Congress, not to establish a new corporation, not to authorize a new road, but that these parties shall go on and build their road as was intended under the original charter. I feel it my duty to say that the constituency I have the honor to represent have never before been wrought up to so high a pitch of excitement as now on the subject of n free railroad law. They want the State of Pennsylvania to pass such a law. I have received the proceed ings of meetings in Pittsburg and Beaver, and the people instruct their members in the legislature to vote for a free railroad law. Why this great excitement about a free railroad law? It is because these companies chartered by different States have been interfered with. I am sorry to say that the State of Pennsylvania has interfered with them, and the people are determined there shall be a free railroad law, so that companies may run in any direction. I think this bill is eminently proper, and I hope it will pass, as well as the one reported yesterday.