The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-07
THE BRIDGE TO BE BUILT.
MR.. PHELAN SAYS WITHIN TWO
MONTHS IT WILL BE A LAW.
Backbone of the Opposition Maintained
by Senator Gibson--o Objections to tho
Wagon way-The Tariff and Blair
Bills Briefly Discussed.

The Hon. James Phclan, member OF
Congress from this, tho Tenth congress
sional district surprised his friends and
noighbors yesterday by Unexpectedly APP
pcaring among them. He gave no warn
ing Of his coming, not even TO intimate
business associates, hence there was sort
Of gratifcd surprise all around. All day
long the congressman was engaged on the
private business that called him home,
and in the evening was joined at Gaston's
by a number Of his constituents who
wanted TO talk "brldge" and other matters
at present interesting the people OF this
section. An APPEAL reporter searched
him out at tho hotel and opened up the
iavorite topic which just now eclipses all
others with Memphians,
THE Memphis bridge bill has not yet
become law, believer
"Not exactly" said Mr.. Phelan, "but
believe it will be in less than two months.
Its friends arc quietly awaiting the bills
temperance from the Senate committee,
and with feeling Of confidence that il
| will go through. The only opposition |
fear Is from Senator Gibson, OF Louisiana,
in whose district Van Benthuysen is a
prominent and powerful factor Gibson is
an earnest and intelligent man, but his
record in this instance IN slightly against
him. And, by the way, Van Benihuysen
has more sense than all the rest oil the Ford
party combined"
But will there be any more amend
monis2 Have you any 10 offer. or has any
al II
lions from other sources2"
$50 far M know there will bo no fur.
thcr amendments. The steamboatmen in.
sisted they were not opposed to the bridge,
but merely desired that such restrictions
should be imposed M would not injurc
their interests. They were reasonable and
willing to arrive at definite conclusions by
mutual concessions The raitsmen were
not 50 conservative, yet by no means obstl-
nate. They insisted strictly upon IN unin-
torrupted channel and enough for them TO
float through sideways, II necessary
That's all right; friends of the bill have no
wish to impede navigation in all its phascs
But We have left NIL that TO the Secretary
OF War, and II becomes n question for the
engineers. II IL is decided by these OK.
peris that the main piers must he 1000
feet apart, there's no objection 10 that
from any quarter"
GLOW about the clamor for waeonway
and footway2"
This caused the congressman 10 look up
in surprise. II haven't heard OF any
such clamor TO the extent Of attracting my
attention, but II 1t has been heard here
can't see the wisdom Of IL. In the first
place, the additional cost TO the railroad
companies would be 30 heavy and that,
/ hat
would be suicidal 10 impose It, The add.
tons could not be made for less than 33t
per cent on the total cost Of the railroad
! bridge. In the second. even were the
travel heavy enough 10 Justify IL under or.
binary circu Instances, the cost, danger aud
inconvenience would reduce u TO mini
, mum. thereby bringing the bridge owners
little or no revenue, comparatively. The
bridge will bc ITO feet above high water
! and l40 above low water mark. To add
"A wavonwny could only be done
10y building II above the rail.
way bridge proper. This would
carry Il 10 such hight that no one would
care to utilize II for crossing in preference
10 the old ferry system. Even II they chose
; 10 cross over tho bridge the tolls could not
/. be placed at such n figure ~ Ia compete
, with the boa's And again. IL Is scicn
tinc fnct, that the force Of the wind, In
sweeping through such superslruciure, IN
such as Ia render it, pcrmanency matter
: Of doubt, and pndangcr vehicles and foot
] passengers. Besides all these, the western
3 end OF the bridge would extend two miles
. into Arkansas, so you see tho incon.
ycnienco Of reaching the approach. Takon
In all its phases, ] do not bolieyo the pco.
plc Of Mcmphiseo desire the addition. I"
n a I'll
:, that Senator Harris WIS In favor OF your
: bill, and that he has been wrongcd by the
! structures cast upon his conduct In the
, premises. Is that correctT'
I "Quiie correct, and know II 10 be true.
have seen where the senator was credited
. with being absent from committee meet
. inga, when know he was present How
= Il all camc about am at n loss 10 under
u stand"
3 "what will he the future course Of the
! bill until Il Il either passcdor dcfcaiedg'
b THAT IL difficult 10 iorctell with conf.
u dent accuracy. When Il Ia reported "a
y the Senate that body may nsk Tor con.
h ference committee from the House. Three
= or four members will DO appointed In com
7. pliance with the request, the two will get
q together and formulate bill that will bs
. acceptable 10 all parties In favor al .
II bridge. Then the measure will be put
g through. the bridge will be built, and
?, that's what We all ycarn for aud will real
q ize"
. "IIow are You impressed with the tariff
', bill proposedf'
d III suits me very well, 10 long rs on
N immediate resources vert LETT cOmpara
m lively undisiurbcd. ! anticipate that VI
V will lose few Democrats, particularly u
d Louisiana, but offset the loss 10y gains u
"a the northwest There's nothing 10 fea
~ on that account"
IN "And the Blair bill7'
" swell, the members on both sides ar'
~ confident. but there w Strenuous eiior
70 being made 10 keep Il buried In tho CON
n mitlec on education, whore II now rests
y, The rules governing congressional legsla
* ton are deliberately devised 10 proven
le action. They are the grnndest triumph q
* ingenious man. Very few bills refcrrc
IN are ever reported back. We have mcihoI
In Of transaciing business by the mciho
o. known no unanimous CONSENT and b
n this the House can do anything. In fact
hs that's about the way all our business
nc transacted, except on such questions q
y, the tariff and other paramount national u
Gu sues. The prospect now Il that u We eve
~ got the blair bill up and pass u. the Pres
h. dent will veto H. ! don't see Why h
ahould, hut the indications point m tha