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


here at this session. Sir. as Representa-.
tiyes Of the people we ought to iDterpose
our veto against measured of this kind,
but alas too often it is in vain.
The gentleman from Massachusetts,
[Mr. Alley] has given us no reason why
We should make discrimination in favor
of this bridge over every other bridge on
the river. None can be given except the
one to relieve the railroad companies from
their liability to mako il conform TO the
requirements Of other bridges We have
said by our law that no bridge should be
built With span Of less than one hnnd.
red aud sixty feet, have we no,Y Then
why make an exception in this case, un-
less il be at tie -behest q, shis Alh-vy
corporation, the Albany Regency" and
these railroad corporations? Tell me why.
Mr.. ALLEY. The bridge is already
built.
Mr.. WAsnBuRNr, Of Illinois The gen.
tleman says the bridge is already built.
Yes, sir, they built bridge which is an
obstruction TO the navigation Of the Mis-
sissippi, aud they know il. The gentle
man from Indiana, [Mr. Farquhar,1 in
reply TO me said could give no instance
Of this bridge acting MS an obstruction to
the navigation Of the Mississippi river. /
say TO the gentlcAan that there have been
numerous Instances in which, as eau
prove by incontroyertible testimony this
bridge, IL is estimated, has indirectly been
a damage Of more than half million
dollars to the people Of the Northwest;
that know. And yet because 1t is own
ed by these corporations, and they have
built bridge Which is an obstruction to
the navigation Of the Mississippi, they
rush here and ask us to do, what? Not
to leave the bridge in its present status,
with its character TO be determined by
the courts, but they come here aud ask US
to legalize their illegal act: that is what
they do. Now, ask the Representatives.
Of the people if they are prepared TO do
this? Why did not the committee bring
in report setting forth all the facts?
Mr.. FAuouuAR. They have report.
Mr.. WAsnDuRNE, Of illinois. If there
is any such report, why has it not been
read? No report has been read here, aud
we have nothing before ms but the state
mcnts Of gentlemen. Now | have the
sworn testimony Of sixteen witnesses,
whose testimony cannot be refuted, that
this bridge is a great obstruction 10 the
navigation of the Mississippi river.
ask the House if they have no regard for
the interests of the people? Do gentle
men know what this bill really mesus?
DO they know the hostility and power Of
these railroad corporations in reference 10
oyery means Of transportation except such
as they themselves coniroR They want
to close up the Mississippi in order to
drive everything TO 20 over their roads,
and not permit us to have any outlets for
our products except over their roads.
Now, this very cooperation for the ben
eft of which We are asked TO 'cgisluie, this
very Northwestern Railroad Company is
charging my constituents FROM twenty 10
thirty cents per bushel for carrying their
corn TO cur nearest market by railroad,
tho market of Chicago Aud yet the cor
poration comes here and drmands Of us
TO legislate for is particular benefit, while
our suffering constituents have no voice ia
the matter aud cannot le heard here.
Let the people have a chance TO be heard
The gentleman lrom AIussach usotts MIR.
Alley must have known that ] was dc.
ceiscd ia regard TO this thing; he must
have known that | had u right to presume
that this was matter 1OfceloSed by the
action of tho last Congress; be must have
known that my constituents aud tho pco.
plo of the Northwest would want TO be
heard IL This mHltcr should come up eenin.
How il il in Massachusetts, and even IN
Indiana? DO you not there give The pol.
pie an opportunity 20 be heard upon all
such questions as tllsg When the Lcgis.
laturo Of Indiana proposes ~ obslrgct the
navigation Of pny stream IN the State
do they not give the people JicoringY
How il IL Ia tho State OF Massachusetts
There you hasein tho Legislature com
mitteo On corporations aud bridges Does
tho Massachusetts Legislature take up
aud puss upon matter In tho interest OF
few men who wan, 10 DO corporator
without allowing tho people 10 10 heard2
No, eir they never did any such thing
Massachusetts legislatcs honorably, un.
dorslanlingly, aud justly, would like
to see the committee Of tho Massachusetts
Legislature that would undertake 10 got
bill through as the gentleman from Mas
saehuset,a Mr. Al!eyl is trying to Set
this through here.
Here tho hammer fell.
Mr.. ALLEY. The gentleman from llli-
nois Mr.. Washburne] having justified
himself to his constituents, which sup.
pose was all lie desired or intended to 10,
| shall not occupy the attentions OF the
House many minutes, aud will then give
way TO other gentlemen who desire to oe-
cupy the rest of my time. Now, In 10.
gard to tho flourish OF the gentleman about
some testimony he holds in bis hand, n
page or two OF the statements OF pilots,
steamboat owncrs, aud others who are di-
rectly Interested
MIR WAsnBrnSE, Of Illinois. How
Interested? a
Mr.. ALLEY. | would say that he refers
to that AZ oil tho testimony as IL by i'm.
plicatiou the committee, somehow or 9th.
cr had suppressed the remainder of the
testimony. Now, hold. ia my hand ten
times as much testimony, sworn Testimony
also, FROM interested and dsutoresied
parties, which testimony is Of n character
directly opposed to tha, which the gen-
teman lrom Illinois has presented sad #
il il desired that the whole shall be read
l certainly shall have no objection.
Mr.. WAsnBuRsE, of illinois, ask
that it be read. aud 1 ask that the addi-
ff..s..