New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-17
MR.. PHELPSS VAIN APPEAL.
MORE TINE FOR THE ARTHUR KILL BRIDGE
AN ELOQUENT SPEECH IN OPPOSITION BY THE Nhw-
JERSEY CONGRESSMAN
fHr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRsBUNE.

JERSEY CONGRESSMAN
IBr TELEGRAPH THE TRABUNE-J
WASHINGTON, April 16.-By vote OF l16 te
| 81 the House to-day suspended the rules and
| passed the bill to extend for one year from
June l6, 1888, the time within which the bridge
across the Arthur Kill must be completed Mr.
! Crisp, who had the bill In charge, said that
the additional time should be allowed because
the Secretary Of War consumed six months Oh
more in the hearing and consideration Of OBJ
jections urged against the plans Of the bridge
company before approving the same
| Mr.. Phelps spoke against the bill In part he
SAID:
The power to build this bridge, prescribed In the
bill ought never TO have been granted 1 think II
would never have been granted except for two I'm
pressons which seized ard occupied the minds OF Sena
tors and Members One impression was, and natural
one that the bridge opposed By the Pennsylvans
Railroad that this road started, aided and encouraged
the Cpl esiu0n, that it might thwart scheme Of the
Baltimore and Ohio road, which was then ono OF Its
great rivals The other impression, which made the
ear of Congress deaf all objections, the fact that
all statements the Arthur KILL the amount Of its
shipping and the harm that would be done that shipping
by the bridge exravagant so startling, 30 In
credible that Senators and Members not only refused
listen them, but TO anything else we might say.
Time fortunately developed evidence which destroys
one impression and which wsaens If It does not destroy
the other.
OLD REASONS NO LONGER EXISTING.
During the period which has elapsed since the
XLIXth Congress passed the bill the management OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad has been changed The
influence OF PennsylyBna road aided In making the
change. The two great roads worked in such
harmony that IL argues and perhaps proves that the
interests Of the two roads However that may
be- no one now disputes what at the time OF the
age Of the bill claimed but could get credit for,
that the Pennsylvania road has now objection to
this bridge only it be built after plan which
shall do unnecessary harm to the interests OF New
Jersey and the negbborhood. 1t has now not even
motive Of opposition. The Baltimore and Ohio road is
longer its great rival and time and the knowledge
that comes with 1t have also removed the other I'M
preston that closed the Congressional ear against u.s.
Wonderful Is the story Of the Arthur KILL of its ship
ping aud Of the harm that might be done to slTng by
bridge OF wrong construction that should span it.
familiar most of the members with the story
that doubt IL any Will venture TO contradict any
of the statements shall mako about It
Why, Mr. Speaker, only one pier Of the bridge the
pivot pier constructed, and the interference
and the harm already done by TO the commerce of New
York. which passes through the channel are 30 great so
notorious that the noise of complaint entered and startled
drowsy Of the Senate Chamber where believe
this bill originated Tho Committee Of Commerce heard it,
and spurred by conscience OF their motion sent SUBJ
committee 10 view with their eyes the havoc worked
by their inconsderate legislation This was only last
week. They accompanied by some members OF the
House Committee These gentlemen arc now back The
which they shall report remedy-and say
here, Mr. Speaker that willing to promise, and
here the right TO promise for all who oppose this
bill-H the Senate Committee report adversely 70 US
report that the bridge now constructing not harm
full to navigation or harmful to navigation
than 1t ought be, having In view the dement's 70
general transportation to be derived from Its constfuc
ton-we will submit New-Jersey and all who are In
erested In vessels which carry the vast tonnage OF
this channel will submit 70 the majesty OF Consfessiohai
decision and will bear their loss without mufmur
THE GREATEST WATERWAY IN THE WORLD.
said the tonnage OF this channel was wohoefiui IN
challenge now the attention OF inc HOUSE, anu
that 1t is the most important waterway ID the WORM
There no waterway that carries each year the freight
that way through the narrow banks OF The Arthur
XIII. L 1t Is startling almost to abSurdi'y, Dut IL
fl the truth NewJersey with quaint name and mar
row fame Arthur XIII carries on its bosom each year
moro produce and merchandise tons Of value than
tho Bosphorus the Thames the Mersey or tie Hudson
Gentlemen New York speak with pride OF the neaI
commerce that enters and leaves their harbor a. SANDY
Hook. Why, MI Speaker. the foreign commerce thse
enters and clears port OF NewYork In one year Is
but IL, 600 600 The annual tonnage OF the Arthur
Ki is IS 00000 And this Is the waterway wheh tho
Senate OF the XLIXh Congress impered by iegislaton
which tae House, under motion to suspend inc fuies
without one word OF discussion debate confirmed Ana
now Senate of this Congress- frightened al us WORK.
pauses and seeks to examine and correct IT, IL seems 70 '
unwse and audaclous for The chairman Oh the Oo
ittee of Commerce OF this House to ask us 70 act now
Isn't 1t wiser aud not the right 10 ask the
members this body II 1t is not more like statesmanshp-
they are pending the decision oil inc SEN
ate Committee and to comDcatc matters by disturb
ing the present situation
Mr. Crisp replied: He thought that Mr. Phelpss
estimate Of the amount OF commerce was greaty
He dwelt upon the fact that much
time had been consumed in obtaining the approvai
of the Secretary of War and said that such Time
ought not to be considered part OF the perioo
within which the bridge was required TO DC com
peted Congress had authorized the CONSTRUCTION
of the bridge and ought to abide by It's action VI
course if the Senate should disagree to the pend
me bih il could not become a law and no harm
would be done to the interests involved