Mr. KIRK VOOD. I used to have a good deal more faith in this matter of competition between corporate companies of this kind than I have now. In fact, instead of competition there has cometo be combination to avery great extent. The companies doing business between particular points, which were intended to be brought into competition with each other, now make combinations with each other by which they keep up the rates of toll. We have a good many railroads running from Chicago into the State of Iowa, but instead of competition between them, there is combination, the result of which is to take from us the very last cent that our produce will bear in getting to market. I do not like to trust this matter in the future entirely to competition. This section provides in substance that the tolls may be altered and revised once in every 5 years after the completion of the canal, by 5 commissioners, one to be appointed by the POTUS. one by each of the Governors of the States of NewYork, Massachusetts, and Illinois, and the remaining one by the canal company. That is to be done every 5 years; and if the company or any ten owners of vessels navigating the canal shall notify the commissioners in writing of their dissatisfaction with the tolls agreedlupon by them, these 5 commissioners are to unite with 3 additional commissioners, to be appointed by the Governors of the States of Maine, Wisconsin and Michigan, and this new board is to again revise and determine the rates of toll; and then there is a proviso that the rates of toll may at any time be revised and regulated by Congress. If this section remains in the bill, the people will have some assurance that the money of the Government which is to be put into this work to the extent of $6,000,000 upon the idea that it is to benefit the producing classes of this country and enable them to get theirrproduce to market at less rates, and to benc it the consumer by allowing him to get our produce at less prices the people will have some assurance that the money of the Government is to be used to produce these ends, and not be used for the purpose of pla cing in the hands of the corporators ormous profits. I merely wish to call the attglition of the Senate to this provision now. I shall not ask fora division at this time, but when the hill comes into the Senate 1 shall ask for a se orate vote on this amendment.