The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-06
ENCOURAGED.
The Phelan Bill viii Go Through.
Every Indication that 1t Will be-
Reported Favorably.
This Being Done It's Passage Ia
Undoubtedly Assured.
Senator Harris Explains His Situ-
alton in the Matter.
The Blair Bill To Be Considered Fur
ther-senator Platt VIII Enter
tain the Grave Senators
With an Effort.

Special Dispatch to The Appeal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-The subcommit-
tee Of Senate committee on commerce is
ut present considering the Memphis bridge
bill and will make favorable report 10
the full committee on Thursday. In these
matters the report of the subcommittee
usually carries the day. So far ~ il is pos
sible to iorctell with certainty an event in
the future, the Memphis bridge bin win DO
reported iavorably to the Senate, and UNI
less something unforeseen intoryenes TO
delay consideration, II will be passed and
become law on that day with exception
of receiving the Presidents signature.
Messs. Mallory and Clapp, the commit
tee appointed by the citizens Of Memphis
TO come to Washington in the interests a
the bill, left for home las, night, carrying
with them letter from Senator Harris.
which will fully explain that gcntlcman's
position in this matter. Your corresponds
emf had a lengthy talk with Senator Harris
this afternoon, in the course Of which hc
said: "Therc Is no room for doubt MS TO
what the action OF the Senate commerce
committee will be upon the Memphis
bridge bill, They will present n favorable
report"
The senator feels considerably hurt and
indignant that his position In this question
should have boon misconstrued and
doubted. "why," said he. ''for the last
five or six yeaB no man has worked
harder or more earnestly 20 secure a
bridge at Memphis than have. There IL
an idea existing down there that !, in
order TO delay the passage Of Mr.. Phclan's
hill, have ohcrcd and insisted upon an
amendment. That idea Is prcposierous
! aud absurd. AZ the beginning OF the
present Congress Mr.. phclan, In the
| House, and, short time after. I, in the
| senate, introduced precisely the same bill,
! word for word, with the single exception
that Ia Mr. Phclnn's bill the hight Of tho
bridge WIS fixed ut not les than sixty
Eve feet, AMI In my bill at not less than
sevcnIy.n,v loot. above high water mark.
Since the plans and spccincailons % tina
bridge, under the provisions Of both bills.
must be iirst approved by the Secretary Of
War, that definition of the hight N nbso-
lutely immatcrial. The bill might just ~
well have specified that the bridge should
be ut least three inches above high water
mark, and 10 no ono, except possibly the
owner aud builder Of the bridge, would IL
have made particle Of difference Tho
| people have an absolute safeguard 10 in
sure that the bridge shalt h. high enough
in the provision that the Secretary Of Wa
must iirst pass upon the plans upon which
Il Is 10 be built That being 40, and the
only difference between Mr. Phelan'e
bill aud my own having no practical
effect upon the provisions oi the measure,
! Il Is absurd 10 suppose that ! should want
to amend, or even think OF amending bill
| which ~ the Same ~ my own, practically
| and 10 all intcnts aud purposes.
"Whcn the House bill came "a the Sen.
ATE and WIS referred 10 thc commerce com
mittec Of that body, expressly requested
| Mr. Vest, who u the chairman Of the sub
committee on bridges, Ia ignore the bill
which | had intr,daccd, saving that the
House bin was the same rs mine, and that
II would BE- better a. report on bill which
had already pissed one branch oi Congress
rather than upon one idonucaily similar
which had yet 10 20 through both
branches"