Mr. HENDERSON. As a member of the ComDistCol, I have had more or less occasion to look into this matter. In fact, I was upon a sub committee to examine the scheme of tunnelin the ground east of the Capitol. I went aroun and examined it. I do not know that I could form any correct conclusion from any examination I might make on a subject of that sort, but I should dislike very much, from what I know of this matter, to see the amendment of the Senfrom Iowa adopted. I would much rather see a proposition giving the company the right to continue the use of steam upon these streets, for a short time say for 12 months or 2 years. I would by inserting after the word “granted, ” in the 4th line, the words “for a period of 2 years from the date of the passage of this act;” and then I would add a proviso that trains should not be drawn through Washington city, or along the bridge over the Potomac river, at a greater rate of speed than 5 miles an hour, or if the Senate choose to say 6 miles an hour I shall be satisfied. In 1863 we had some legislation on this subject, and we provided by the 1st section of the act approved March 8, 1863. “That the Alexandria and Washington Railroad Compau be, and the someis hereby, authorized to extend t icir said railroad from the south side of the Potomac across said river to and along Maryland avenue to the Capitol grounds and across Pennsylvania avenue alone 1st streetto Indiana avenue and thence to the baltimordapd Ohio depotand that all theordinary rights. privileges, and liabilities, incident to similar corporations are conferred upon said company for that purpose: Prooidetl. however, That the sameshall besubjectto alteration, amendment, or repeal: and provided/will", That the cars shall not be drawn on the streetsaforesaid or on the structure across the Potomac rivermentioned in the 2ndsection of this act, by steam power. without the consent of Congressand of the corporateauthor ities of the city of Washington thereto." By one of the provisions of that act I understand that the company have been propel lin their cars by steam over Maryland avenue an along1st street, west of the Capitol, ever since that time. At that time authority was given to build a railroad bridge across the Potomac river, very near to what is termed the Long bridge. The company constructed a very valuable bridge, a very good railroad bridge, and are now using it. It is true it is near the Long bridge. The Senfrom Maine [Mr. Fsssssusx] thinks it would be very dangerous to persons crossing the Long bridge, especially in carriages, to have railroad trams propelled by steam across the railroad bridge. I can state to the Senator, upon some inquiry into the matter, that I have never heard ot a single accident on the bridge since trains have been propelled across by steam. We can best judge matters of this sort by experience and by actual test. For 3 long years they have been using steam power on this l)ridgc, ", iid not a single accident has occurred upon pic Long bridge in consequence of it.