The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-03
TnE DEBATE.
Thc Discussion which Took Place On
the FLOOR OF the senate.

by Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, April 9.-The House bill
20 authorize the construction Of bridge
across the Mississippi river at Memphis,
Tenn, was ION motion Of Mr.. liarris)
taken up and considered.
Mr.. Berry moved 10 amend the flrst sec
tion by making Il obligatory (instead Of
optional) to have the bridge constructed
for the passage Of wagons, vehicles and
passengers, as well a. OF railway trains.
Mr.. Plumb opposed the amendment, lest
Il might operate (by the additional ex-
pense) to prevent the building Of any
bridge at all.
Mr. Edmunds favored the amendment.
He was opposed 10 further obstructing OF
the great waterways Of the country, which
were about the only free things CONNER
cially considcred) that were left 10 the
people A. against the corporations. Mem
phis was great city, having great trade
on both sides Of the river, and when, at a
slight additional expense, the business OF
the people OF that vicinity could be pro-
vidcd for, Il should he made compulsory
on the bridge company 10 do ~.
Mr.. Bate spoke in favor of the amend
ment, believing Il would contribute 70 the
growth Of the city Of Memphis and 10 the
advantage Of the population on both sides
! OF the river
Mr.. Frye reminded Mr.. Harris that the
/ two Louisiana senators who were opposed
10 the bill were absent from the city.
Mr.. Harris said he was aware Of the
| iact that certain constituents OF theirs now
| had the control Of the bridge charter
granted m 1885. lie had informed the
senior senator (Gibson) that ho would de-
| Law asking consideration OF the bill for n
reasonably short time, but the anxiety Of
the people whom he (Iarris) represented,
and Of the people who proposed 10 build
the bridge, 10 avail themselves Of a suit
able season of the year was such that he
could not delay for the unreasonable time
that would be covered by the absence OF
those two senators looking after their can
yaas In Louisiana.
Mr. Berry's amendment was agreed 10.
The several amendments reported 10 the
House bill by the Senate committee on
commerce were agreed 10. The principal
amendments was the third section. II
was 10 strike out the sentence requiring
the two middle or channel spans 10 be not
less than COO feet In length. In the clear.
and that no span shall be less than $50 feet
In the clear; and 10 substitute for u a pro
vision directing tho Secretary Of War "a
detail three army engineer officers 10 cx'
anime tho locality, and 10 report what
should be the length Of spans; provided
that the main channel span shall not be
less than 200 feet In length, and the othei
spans not less than coo icct; also that the
lowest part Of the supentructure Of the
bridge shall be at least sevcniy-fyc instead
Of sixty-fye feet above extreme high watel
mark.
Another amendment was 10 add . new
section repeating the Memphis bridg'
act of February 20, 1885
Mr.. Coke offered an amendment reguir
Ing the main channel span 10 be al leas
! 900 feet instead OF 700 feet In length.
Mr. Harris opposed tho amendment
lie said that the additional cost Of th'
bridge that would be caused by Mr.. Berry
amendment would be ai least 500, 900
while Mr.. Coke's amendment would In
volvo n cost ~ 10 defeat the construction Q
bridge altogether. lie argued that al
interests. navigation and otherwise, wer
completely protected by the provision re-
curing the Secretary Of War " de'ai