The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-09
KEOKUK IN THE BILL.

The bill authorizing the bridging of the
Mississippi river at st. Louis, Quincy and
Darlington came Up in the House the other
day, and Mr.. kasson of our Stat offered the
following amendment:
'Aad be ii further enacted, That it shall be
lawful for any railroad corporation whose
road has been completed to the Mississippi
river, and connects with railroad on the OPP
posite side thereof. having first obtained
authority therefor frem the States of Illinois
and Iowa, to construct railroad bridge
across said river upon the same terms. in the
same manner, under the same restrictions,
and with the privileges as provided for in
tins act in relation to the bridge at Quincy,
Illinois,
And Mr. Wilson Of our District offered this
ad litional amendment:
And that the Keokuk aud Hamilton Missis-
sippi Bridge Company be, and is hereby,
authorized to construct a bridge over the
Mississippi river at keohuk, Iowa, of the
same description as the other bridges proyi-
ded for By this act.
Mr. Harding Of Illinois objected and de-
sired that the bill should be put upon its pas
sage.
Mr.. Kasson said the gentleman from Hi
nois Mr.. Hardingl raises a new question.
He proposes that the House shall pass upon
this bill without reference to a committee at
ALL If that is the general desire of the
House | am willing that they shall take it up
in connection with the amendment for action
now
But, sir, the gentleman is certainly wrong
in saving that the object is to ride down
this measure Of which he is friend. He
forgets that forty miles north Of his own city
there Is city in Iowa Of equal importance,
with roads approaching it on both sides, and
with what Quincy has not, q solid rock bot
tom in the river, which we have already APP
popriated money to blast out, so as to let
boats through.
Now, | say, that when the proposition is to
construct bridge at point like that, made
BY nature for it, the gentleman should not
say that the intention is to ''rde down. the
bill. On the contrary, that amendment will
strengthen his measure.
A word more. The gentleman has spoken
Of establishing the principle of bridging the
Mississippi river Why. sir, that principle
has beeu established already, and there are
two bridges now constructed above the points
of which this bill authorizes the construction
of bridges.
Mr. Wnshburne, of Illinois-Yes and
which obstruct navigation TO the amounl OF
millions of dollars year.
Mr. kasson-I would be much obliged il
my friend from Illinois would allow me to
sneak when | have the floor, and when am
through will yield with pleasure to him.
| say that the principle has been establish
ed. and that the interests of the States on
both sides Of the river require the construc-
ton Of bridges occasionally across that river
and it is perfectly well settled that those
~
struct navigation. | should certainly oppose
any obstruction Of navigation.
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa-I desire to remind
the gentlemen from Illinois. Mr.. Harding,
who is opposed to these amendments, that
tins bill was originally introduced to author
lze the construction of bridge at st. Louis.
1t was amended in the Senate so as to pro-
vide Tor bridge at Quincy and, believe,
another at Hamilton
Mr.. Harding, of Ilnos-The gentleman is
wrong in that.
Mr.. Wilson, OF lowa-It was also amended
so as to authorize the construction of n br;dre
at Burlington, Iowa. Now, we simnlv desire
that other points of quite as much Importance
as some OF those provided Tor shall have the
privilege OF constructing bridges across tho
Mississippi river. The railroad connections
at keokuk are quite as important as those at
Quincy. The railway connections there are
as important as those at burlington; and so
ii is at Dubuqe. They are all important /; aud
tho break caused by the river in the connec-
tions of those lines is very serious.
Now, we ask that this bill, accompanied by
these amendments, shall go to the Committee
On tie Post Office and Post Roads, a commit
tee appointed to consider measures of this
character, in order that that committee may
determine whether it is not as important te
have these other points provided for as THOSE
already provided for by the bill.
After some discussion as to the reference o
the bill and some objections to the amend
meu;s by NJ. Harding, Blow and others,
Mr.. Kasson said, presume the proper tim,
for this debate will be when the bin has bee,
returned from the committee. l understand
it has been prepared With unusual care an,
on constellation with ssninsnt snsinssrk ",