Mr. GRIMES. [am not at all astonished that the Senfrom Missourishould be as tenacious on this subject as he is, because he is represent Iing, as he says, the sentiment of the state of missouri, the head and front of which is the city StLouis, that is anxious that the whole north1 western country should be tributary exclusively 1 to that particular city. Now, Mr. President, it so happens that a portion of my constituents who live in that Northwest of which the Senator spoke, and for whom I profess to be able to speak as well as the Senator can speak. are not only anxious sometimes to go to StLouis, but they are anxious to have facilities for reaching the eastern cities and they want, if they possibl can, to be able to do so in the winter, when the ice is running, when it is impossible to cross sometimes for weeks in succession without great risk of life; and they want an opportuuit when they choose to send their freight and by their live stock to the only market they have without breaking bulk at the mississippi river. Now, sir, the Senator says that the proposition which comes from the ComPostOffices ought not to be adopted, because it does not give sufficient opportunity for boats to pass. Who is to judge of that? Did not the gentleman representing the committee read to us the opinion of 3 Army engineers detailed to go out and examine the RockIsland bridge? Did they not state spe cifically in that report the objections to the RockIsland bridge, and that it was solely because the piers were not placed parallel with the current of the stream? Have not the committee modified this bill so as to conespond with the report which these engineer officers made? Is not that the best information we can obtain? As I understand it, this bill is predicated upon that report. It is brought in ere by a gentleman who is as much interested in the navigation of the Mississippi riverasany man can possibly be who occupies a seat on this floor. He is at the very head of the navigation of the Mississippi river. Hisindividual interests and the interests of his neighbors would probably be against the construction of any bridge anywhere on the Mississippi. He has told us that his prejudices and prepossessions were all in opposition to the construction of any bridge. But yet even be, under these circumstances, after having thoroughly investigated the whole subject, after having read the report of these 3 Army engineers, recommends the Senate to puss this bill. Mr. President, I need not say that my colleague and myself, who live on the Mississi ipi river, and who represent several tolerably important commercial towns, are deeply interested in the navigation of the river; and I would not, and I am satisfied that he would not, do a single thing here or elsewhere that could by any possibility obstruct the free navigation of that river: and I am not disposed to rest under the imputation which might be in ferred from the remarks of the Senfrom Missourithat we would obstruct the navigation. We are deeply interested in it. We want for the present time, and we want all future ages. to have uninterrupted navigation of the stream; but we want at the same time, ilit can be done, and we ale satisfied that it can be done, opportunities to get eastward as well as southward and northward. We want to be able to transport our produce and our selves with as little inconvenience as possible to the eastern markets; and that is the reason why we insist that these railroad companies shall have an opportunity to bridge the Missis sippi river, providl d they do so without interfering in any degree with the navigation of the stream. The postoffice Committee having investigated the whole subject, predieatin their report upon the opinion of 3 skillfuI Army engineers who were sent out there for the purpose of investigating the subject of bridges across the Mississippi river, have submitted us a bill, and for that I vote, and for thatI trust a majority of the Senate will vote.