The daily union., 1852-09-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBA lie.
MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1859.
SENATE.

IT, ss,a,e M m committee OF the whole having un-
der CONSIDERATION the bill OF the House of Representa-
tiyes makins appropriations Tor The civil and diplomatic
sxpenses of the government tor the year ending 3Oth
June 1885, and for other purposes"he question pend
ing being on the motion OF Mr. BADGER to amend The
amendment of the Committee Finance proposing TO
900 ..for repairs of the Potomac brdge,
bv striking out the word "reas, aud inserting 'the
removal OF the remains SO TO make the clause read
Fo, the removal OF the remains Of the Potomac bridge,
Sls,OO0"-
Mr.. SEWARD said Before the question is taken. /
wish to say word Tor The purpose OF JusliyIng my
annaren, Inconsistency in my votes | do not know
whether this question was taken by yeas or nays when
similar proposition made IN the deficiency bill but
il was voted against the proposition which shall now
susan. 10 dong SO, must say that change my vote
because am satisfied with the arguments which have
heard that thus bridge is serious INJURY 10 me hea'h
and prosperity oil the city OF Georgelown and unneces-
sary in It's present condition, TO the interests OF the peo-
pie here. - ,- la, -, ,, :,
attention TO gentlemen who evince vast amount OF
laudable sensb,y regard to the health oil the people
Of The District but tar as informed, The people
of Washington almost with perect unahimy desire Inc
Temporary repair oil this bridge.
Another argument which is adiuceI by gentlemen is,
that Congress will not do It's duty IN regar to the ule
if this bridge is Temporarily repaired Perhaps gentle.
men understand Congress better an do If that is
perhaps they had better 80 TO work and demosh n The
bridges, ia order that we may get new ones Mr. Pfesl
dent an in favor Of cTeailng new structure 70 place
day or tha, purpose. But at the time, the tempo
raIv convenience not only of the people OF Virginia. but
also Of the people OF the city, requires my Judgment,
that HE bridge should be repaired The amount Of cost
s very small and if s intended to erect new bridge,
The temporary repair Of the old will facilitate opera
lions Bat il Congress is only to be thus driven by the
EXTREMIST necessity in this mode, as some gentlemen
seem think, must imagine that they understand Con-
gress much better than do. shall vote for the appro
pration.
Mr. BADGER. One word in reply 10 the observations
OF my colleague. He says my proposition Is supported
on the idea that Congress will not do lis duty and n'i
mates that perhaps may understand Congress better
than he does appeal TO my colleague If this very case
does not prove that Congress will not do its duty while
that bridge stands and be used! For the last ten
years il has been apparent as is now that IL is
nuisance 1t is enly apparent that il is obstruc
ton 10 the navigation of the river, but that s Gre
aing permanent, nuisance 10 large portion OF The
city OF Washington and OF Georgetown; and yet no
movement has been made TO take il down and erect a
new one. There is the nuisance, and we have never
heard OF any disposition the part OF Congress 10 get rid
OF this old bridge, and put up new one until the dsas
Ter 10 il by the late Hood.
One word with regard to the people who are ac-
commoda'ed by this bridge II seems 10 me there is a
mistake in some minds upon that subject The people
on the Virginia shore, below Alexandra, usually come
up The river by the boats. They do not drive up from
Alexandria 10 The other end OF the Long Bridge Tor The
purpose OF passing and the people above cross al
Georgetown Ii understand the matter correctly, there
fore, there are only two three farms lying be-
Georgetown and Alexandria that are interested IN
Mr. HUNTER will the senator from North Carolina
allow me 10 correct him TO a matter OF fact
Mr. BADGER. Certainly. shall be very glad 10
Mr.. HUNTER Understand there is ferry now be
the detached portions OF the bridge. and that II IS
very convenient 10 people passing and The loss OF II
Mr. BADGER am extremely glad 10 hear il.
Nothing will be more easy when The eauseway is re-
moved than to extend the Terry across the rver
Mr.. BRADBURY. that cannot be done, because there
is shoal watrr there
Mr.. BADGER. And il will be still more so il you
keep the brldge there
Mr. MANGUN [ will answer the inquiry OF my
colleague am OF the opinion that Congress does a
vat deal than its duty in the way OF talking.
Sir by way of eynciag my sincerity upon this OCCASION,
II any gentleman will take the trouble Of preparing
an amendment. | will vote for an appropriation OF
100000 in this bill to be put under the direction OF
the President with the assistance OF the best engiDtes
for the purpose of constructing bridge ths, will be
respectable durable and every way appropriate Tor this
place but at the time al desire TO vote fot lem
porary repairs to the present bridge. Every gentleman
who has gone 10 market must have become acquainted
with the enhancement OF the prce OF PROVISIONS occa-
sioned by the want OF proper communication WIN the
Virginia shore. A. far as am informed, ihink the en-
tire population OF the city desire the temporary recoa-
s,ructon OF this bridge. As TO Georgetown, have a
very great respect for her rights but have no respect
for these little collisions arising out OF the desire 10 have
bridge one end OF which is 10 be IN Georgetown In
stead OF in Washington. | would be regulated upon
that matter BY the intelligence and reports OF aoe eug,;
the interests OF the District say again, any gentleman
will make The proposition will vote for 100000 on
$50 900 Tor the construction oil new bridge ou az te
pared.
Mr.. BRIGHT. The considerations that are TO govern
the vote OF senators appear be narrowed down 10 the
single point the price of marketing will be cheapene
in this city with population oil about forty thousand oy
the repair OF this bridge.
MIR. MANGUM. Not al all; there are other objec.
tons which not mentioned. THIS IS only single
Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. President, senators seem to forget
that Georseown is much within the limits OF this
District Washington city, and that Congress IL the
only legislative tribunal her citizens appeal to for the
projection OF their political rights. Georgetown, with
her population OF eight Ten thousand inhabitants
represents in the most imposing form, tas appears from
the proceedings OF public meeng read al your desk
this morning. that for years she has suffered great IN
convenience and injury from the erection and meine-
nance of this bridge; that her commerce has been off,
the health OF the city injured-two facts admitted BY all
who are informed this subjectand asks you to aba'e
this nuisance, instead vf appropraung money 10 con
tnue it.
TINS petition is met with opposition the part OF
honorable senator's based the ground that bridge a.
this point necessary for The convenience OF the travel
ling public; and particularly is desirable on account o
the increase price charged for marketing IN Washington
when this bridge passablehus setting NJ the pal
uy consideration OF low prices TO population OF iofty
Thousand in Washington against the commerce, rade and
health OF city containing eight or ten thousand nhaoIi
ants This Is, in my judgment. an unjns, and an hoefa
view OF this question, and that viii do no credit 10
congress lhe public convenience does not require me
repair Of this structure Every necessary taci'y Tor
avel ltom ibis to the Virginia shore. IN the direction OF
aeAAnana, IS afforded by the steam packets ina, ply pe'
Ween hs CITY and that point Perhaps lew persons
VINO I'VE between here and Alexandra would be SUBJECT
~ v some inconvenience by the removal OF ths ofoge
ney are lew compared the entire population OF od
hlaa ayt, I,fnf rtDttV