Mr. ALLEY. Mr. Speaker, I do not propose at this time to say much in reference to this bill. I will merely explain that this bill, substantially in many respects, was presente for consideration at the last session in the form of an amendment to a bill which was passed authorizing the erection of several bridges across the Mississippi river. But the bill now reported is somewhat different from that amendment; it has more guards and restrictions than that had; and therefore the committee thought it could be properly reported at this time to the House. I do not propose to say anything on the merits of the bill at. time, but to give way in a few moments to the Gentfrom Illinois [Mr. WASHBURNE] to make such remarks as he chooses in opposition to it. Preliminary to that I will merely say that that gentleman yesterday charged me with having attempted to get that bill through at the last session under the gag of the previous question, and only ielded to allow its discussion for a short time. n reference to that, I will only say that I voluntarily gave the gentleman more time a great deal than I occupied myself, as chairman of the committee, in the discussion of that bill, and I believe that other gentlemen who opposed the bill occupied more time than its friends. Now, I submit whether under these circumstances the gentleman was justified in saying that the committee attempted to gag this thing through the House. Further, I will say, with regard to the argument of the gentleman today, I suppose his argument at this time will be about the same that he made before. He then had a great deal to say about the RockIsland bridge; very little about this bridge, for the reason that he could not say anything against this structure, at least, as I believe, rightfully and properly. As to the Rock if. bridge I concede to him, and so do all of the committee, and so do I believe the majority of the House, that that structure is not at all what it should be. But whatever the opposition to that structure may be, it has no bearing whatever upon this one, and I will say to the gentleman that, for argument's sake, I will agree in advance to all he may say about the Rock Isl and bridge, and I beg of him to confine himself in his remarks to this bridge, to its character, and to its merits. If he will do that, I can assure him that he can have all the time he desires to discuss it to his heart's content. Now, allow me to say one word further before I yield the floor to the Gentfrom Illinois, [Mr. WASHBURNE] This last autumn several members of Congress passed over that bridge, myself among them. Their attention was called to it and they examined it thor oughly, and I think they will all concur with me when I say that we were greatly surprised when we saw such a bridge, the best structure I think that we ever saw of the kind; scarcely any obstruction in the slightest degree to the navigation of the river. I think we were all very much surprised, in view of the actual facts, at the statements made upon this floor by the Gentfrom Illinois [Mr. WASH BURNE] at the last session. I now yield the floor for 30 minutes to the Gentfrom Illinois.