Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-02-08


be one hundred and sixty feet span. Ay;
and suppose the gentleman from Illinois
had favored change during the war OF
the standard height of enlisted men, would
he therefore, because of the increased
height, discharge all the rest Of the men
who had been taken into the service whose
height did not roash that Standard Yet
that is the principle he Proposes to apply
to this bridge Gaze Because Congress
required In anticipation of the fact that
there might be time when that length Of
span would be roquifed, he proposes to
tear down this bridge which has span Of
less than one hundled aud sixty feet. l
would say to that gentleman, Bide your
iime, Sufficient ~sso the day is the OWL
lfhereof p----
Let me say 10 the House that when this
bridge was being constructed the railroad
company whose road now passes over II,
were seeking lerminus on the Mississippi
river, and they employed engineers to ex-
anime aud report upon it. They reported
that the draw Of this bridge, which is one
hundred aud twenty feet, was then the
widest span for q railroad bridge known
in the civilized world. Now these men,
knowing that fact believed that it was all
that would be required. They built this
bridge, u structure 80 substantial aud 30
permanent, rejecting such a credit on
those who built il, that II would be doing
gross injustice TO them, TO the country,
aud TO the commerce thereof to refuse that
protection guaranteed by the provisions Of
this bill.
Mr.. kUYKESDALL | desire to ask the
gentleman whether this bridge was not
built by the permission Of the States Of
Illinois aud Iowa?
Mr.. FARoUuAR. | understand, from
the evidence, that the bridge was built by
permission Of the Legislature of the State
Of Illinois and in conformity to tho gen
cral law on the subject of the State of
Iowa. These gentlemen came there and
pursued the only legal course marked out
by law and constructed that bridge. And
now a word on the question Of detention.
| venture to say that no boat was ever de-
taned in passing through that bridge over
two or three minutes. There is no furlh-
er detention than that necessary. 1t is
opened by steam. engine, aud takes but
two or three minutes TO open and close
the draw
The SPEAKER. The time yielded by
the gentleman from Massachusetts to the
gentleman from Indiana has expired.
Mr.. FARouuAR. | ask the gentleman
to allow me few moments more.
Mr.. ALLEY. cannot do IL, because
have promised 10 yield tho foor TO several
ether gentlemen.
Mr. FARouuAR. If the gentleman has
to break his promise, he muy as we'll break
il in my favor. lie told me that he would
yield me the control OF the door after call
ing the previous question.
Mr.. WAsnBuRNE, of Illinois. viii
tho gentleman from Massachusetts, yield
mo the floor for ten minutes2
Mr.. ALLEY. will yield TO the gem
llenan for that time.
Mr.. WAsnnuRNr, Of Illinois. am
very reluctant indeed to occupy tho at
tcntion of the House QUO moment longer
upon this bill, but il is Il public duty
which / feel TO be incumbent on ne to
resist by every means in my pcwer, the
passage OF this most iniquitous measure.
| do not SEQ Why the gentleman from In.
diana Mr.. Farquhar should be surpris.
cd 20 hnd me IN opposition TO this meas.
ure. Tho gentleman ought 10 know that
he always hnds me upon tho side of the
people aud against this outrageous legis.
latiOn IN favor of mouopoies aud against
tho people. | am against everything OF
this kind, and submit to the House that
tie gootlemau FROM ludiana has not an'
sNeiei the arguments which | submitted
to the House submit that he has tray
cled from the record aud talked about
other thugs than the question before the
House. Tho gentleman FROM Indiana, !
suppose, Was Que OF this junke,ing party
that went over this bridge, Mr. Furquhar
nodded assent, aud that he saw tho bridge
aud saw that II wns an obstruction 10 nav.
lgallou, aud am aslonlshed that ms hon,
orable TREND, with his undoubtod veracity
aud character, should here, in tho face OF
this House, undertake to say that this
bridge Ia the light of tho testimony OF
fifteen witnesses, is no obstruction. Sir,
what was the testimony before the com
mitteeg / have read it-against the bridge
tho testimony Of credible witnesses, in
situation TO know tho facts. but, on tho
othos side interested parties of mon who
have u peeaniary interest IN these meas.
ures while the great people who are in.
teIested are lett out in the cold aud have
no voice,
Now, as to my distinguished friend from
New lgrk, Mr. Davis. who, in tho first
place, wrote similar DILL; | understand
that ho is directly interested in the pas.
sage Of this bill, being Stockholder in
this company. | understand that my
friend from Massachusetts
Mr., AmCs] has also an interest some
whore in this direction; but | represent
no stockholders or railroad combinations,
but the people.
Mr.. ALLY When tho gentleman
speaks OF gentleman from Massachusetts
US having un interest in this matter, does
lac refer to me?
Mr.. WAsuBURNE, of Illinois. No, sir.
Mr.. DAVIS When he alluded 10 the
gentleman from New York did he refer
" me9
Mr.. WAsuBuRSE. Of Illinois. sup.
posed the gentleman from Now York had
an interest in this bill.
Mr.. DAVIS, II the gentleman will al.
low me, will tell him.
Mr., WAsnBuRSE, OF Illinois. Tho gen.
tlomap can do it after my ten minutes
expire. cannot allow him to Interrupt
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