Mr. GRISWOLD. Mr. Speaker, it occurs to me the eulogy pronounced upon railroad companies and the great benefits growing out of the construction of railroads is not pertinent to the question before the House. I agree, sir, with the gentlemen who are advocating the advantages growing out of these railroad companies. I am in favor of as liberal a course of legislation as any man upon this floor; but I cannot understand why we should legalize a railroad structure erected in defiance of law. I understand this company can have this bridge, and the question simply is the expending a few 1,000 dollars to make the bridge conform to the law. of the land. While I would not interfere with the advantageous and laudable efforts of gentlemen to construct these railroads, still, as a matter of ".I desire to protest against this habit of railroad corporations manipulating State corporations in the waYy whi.ch they so well understand. Mr. Speaker, to corporations going to the Legislature of the State, manipulating it and getting such measures passed as they see fit, and then, because they conflict with the laws of the U.S., coming to Congress and asking us to legalize what they knew to be when it was erected an illegal structure. As a matter of principle I object, because I know nothing of the merits of this particular case. I protest against such legislation as will justify and form a precedent for similar legislation here after. When the Gentfrom Pennsylvania Mr. Scofield] says he is inclined to regret providence has given us the Mississippi river if objections are to be made to railroad connections, I beg to remind him that 100 railroads would not carry the commerce of that river if its navigation were unimpeded. That right of navigation belongs to theF. of this country, and I say that no railroad corporation, and not even Congressitself, can step in between the people and their rightS. R.o, this bridge is a serious obstruction to the navigation of the Mississippi river; it ought not to be allowed to exist; and if it is not a serious obstruction to the navigation of that river, then they need not come here and ask for our action. The bridge will stand if not a serious obstruction to navigation, and if it iIs repeat it ought not to be allowed. And I desire to protest against corporations calling upon Congress to step in to legalize what has already been done illegally. I do not want railroad corporations to do these things, relying upon the Congress of the U.S. to step in to their relief. I protest against it, not because I am opposed to this particular object, but as a matter of precedent and practice I object to any such legislation.