The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-01
GUARD TIE BRIDGE.

Tho Phelan Bridge Bill will be consid-
cred today by the Senate committee. 1t
is the wish OF the people OF Memphis that
the bill be passed. Senator Harris, TO
whom the people have now TO look for the
passage OF the bill through the Senate,
has informed the Merchants and Cotton
Exchanges that he is in favor OF bridge,
but has prepared an amendment chang
ing the hight OF the structure.
In view Of the fact that tho hight can be
regulated by the Secretary Of War, the
people cannot understand why Senator
Harris should impede the progress OF the
measure by this unnecessary burden. IL
looks TO them as though II might have
originated with the Ford-Van Benthuysen
party, and TO have MS lis chief object the
killing Of the bill by systematic
plan OF postponement and delay. Mr..
Ford has caused the people Of Memphis
TO suffer enough. They have been as
patient in waiting as IL was possible for a
people 10 be. His charter has been held
in terrorem over everybody who has
offered TO build the bridge. lie would
not do it himself, and stood deiantly in
the way Of anybody else who did propose
10 do IT, 1t has como TO be
the popular belief that the charter
is held simply for sale at an exorbltant fig.
uro. lie has had years in which TO raise
the money and do the work, but has failed
TO keep faith with the people. Now, the
various railroads have come into the
field with the money and prop
osilion TO build Mt once, and the Phelan
bill gives them the privilege. To permit
tho Ford-Van Bcnthuysen party further
indulgence In their dogin.the.mangcr pol.
Icy would be most unjust, and a direct
blow at the interests Of Memphis Con.
gross would never have granted the
Ford charter II Il had been sup.
posed that the privilege would have
been held simply for a specu.
lative purpose ms II has been. Such a
grant would have been wholly contrary to
public policy. II Is the earnest hope Of
every citizen who has the commercial In
tcrcsis Of Memphis at heart that Senator
Harris viii put the weight Of his great in.
nucnco in favor Of the Phelan bill. TnE
APrEAL has abundant evidence In the ac-
ton Of the commercial bodies Of the city,
and In the expressions Of responsible pri.
waite opinions, that the people want Mr..
HAMS 20 do this. II the Phelan bill
shall now fail OF passage in the Senate the
people Of Memphis will hold Senator Har-
ris directly responsible. lie has said
In dispatch that the Tennessee and
Arkansas delegations were united in
favor Of bridge, but has failed e
say, after repeated inquiries, whether
he was for or against the Phelan
bill, which Is the measure the people want
passed. II is hoped that he will today
make Il clear by Withdrawing his amend.
ment and by vigorous effort in be
half OF tho bin that he Is lis friend
Meantime, TnE ArrEAL would urg,
tina, delegation Of fifteen o
twenty Of the mos, responsible business
men Of Memphis hold themselves Rad!
TO go 10 Washington today and rciniorc,
tho friends Of the bill already there. |
must not be Lost. The stake istoo gnca
10 suffer the slightest risk Of failur
from oycr-conhdcncc. Let any man VIII
may think he can be Of service go at ono
without waiting for orders There shout
also be a great deal Of music over the vim
hptVreu hcro aud Washington tolav