New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-05-21
A BRIDGE OVER THE ARTHUR KILL.

A LARGE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE FOR THE BILL
WASHINGTON, May 20 {SpeciaD. The Senate
discussed the staten Island Bridge bill until nearly
p. to-day ana then passed it without division Mr.
Sewe made strong presentation Of the case for New
jersey and illustrated his arguments by maps etc, nat
the preceden;s strong for him to overcome.
The test of strength took place the vote OF Mr..
McPhersons Amendment There were only five votes
the affirmative.
Mr.. Vest said To bridges an arm Of the sea or
over wate- through which the tide ebbed and flowed.
the power OF Congress well settled that II wodi
absurd que against it, When the testmonyin favor
a bridge strong when common sense Itself
showed It's necessity The interest Of the railway trans
pOrtatiOn and commerce OF the country, no bridge
be built because the Pennsylvania Railroad AMI even
the state OF New-Jcrsey opposed II
Mr.. Mcpherson expressed asonishment at tho state
mcns of Mr. Vest. especially the statement that there
WIS combination Netre Il the Pennsylvania NaiiioaA
and the state Of Nev-IcrseY 20 oppDs' this BILL
Nr Vest disciamcd such a sta;cnent, lie on.y knew
that the Pennsylvania Railroad bal opposed The bridge
aud had the State OF Aew-Jersey. lie knew nothing
OF any combination
Mr. Mcpherson did not know anything OF the objects
wishes o. that railroad company lie hal novol had
conference with any member OF he board Of directors
company any OF its officers, nOdy repre-
senfiug It, Hut whatever the object OF the fennsyl-
vania Railroad Company, Mr. Hciherson said, neither
the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad Company nor Other rail-
road owned New-JoIsey its senators. lie asked Mr.
Vest why the committee hat not recOmmeD led
tunnel
Mr.. Vest replied that the only question before tie
committee was lether the NN l~hich WAS Tor
blldgc) should be reported fyOriby or uEtavorably
No tunnel project before the committed
3r Frye read communication from ar. King.
second vce-pIesaent OF t,e Baltimore AMI ono,
saying that the question OF tunnel had been carefully
cons icrcd hy the company and that the eA1nn alton
showed that tunnel Wa ilniractctlH Ids IL would cost
Sj.nO0,OOO; would require the sun-grdDe 10 ho C3
fec nc.ow l0w the, winch would involve IN approach
$500 feet long The Jersey shore and 1000 itc. long
the Staten Island shore. and would involve crossing
at grade with the PruD>y Yaiia Railroad at
Elizabeth, y. j. The tunnel and IT'S approaches. Mr.
King added, would lie four and cshtstenths miles
Nj. Mcpherson took issue with Of Nr. Kings
statements and saii II he AlT McPhersOn) had auci.
paed the production Of 80 extraordinary letter he
would have been prem red rth detailed Information
TO the cost of tunnel.
Mr. Mcpherson cited the case of the two Brrgc. hin
OF ground and of which had not cost more Than
$SOOcoO ana the other not more IMAM rlUJOUOO. Mr..
Mcpherson would within forty eight hours 10 pro-
tunnel tit for railroad for ~, 100000
Nj. Edmuuds opposed the bill. He said bridges a.
more or less interrupte free highways IN favor
OF u mouOpOnzcd one. Hc hoped ami bc'Icyei We, 0
some OF US would i've u see the OF an IN
ternhl Waterway that would extend all the way 10 New
Orleans and he believed this little stTcanihe Arthur
K.ll-was a key to such waterway
An amendment offered bv Mr. Vest agreed to
authorizing the Secretary OF War II he should deem any
alteration o. the bridge necessary, The cn,irt
mnya of The bridge npcrSsarv 10 avod Obstruction 10
cxptn.c OF the owners, and n the bridge br lin
isnet within TWO years the rght 70 bald Snail ana
Mr. McPherson's anlondmcn' for tunnel Instead OF
bridge was reJecied-yeas .. nays 40. The Senators
voting ~ the Affirmative were Messrs. DOTen haml-
ton. NcPhcrsOn. Plumb and reWcll.
After further debate tie voting down OF sOne
reported rom committee WIKI the solo addlii0. OF
Mr. Vests amendment.