Mr. PreSident, after having now called the attention of the Senate to the subject matter, permit the bill to be passed over informally for the present. he kindred measure, likeWise so important to the reservation of the navigation of the upperississippi river, which some time since I presented to the Senate I mean the Senate JtResolution No. 64, in these words: higWhhweareysas the Mississippi river is oneof the cutest of inland commercein the world. a ordiniz. togetherwith its connectingrivers. many 1,000s of miles of navigable watersfor the cheap transportation of agricultural, mineral, manufacturing and other bulky products; and whereas to insure safety and economyin such transit the navigationof snid stream must be protected from all obstructions, whether natural or artificial. especiallyas th meth ods of transfer on barges towed by steamers and requiring much larger c annel way than heretofore, are now comin intogeneral useon the western rivers; and whereast o necessitiesof land travel and rail way connection render it very desirable that the properstopsshould be taken for bridging said streaming such points asmay he found practicablefor effect continuous freight lines from west to east, and under such conditions of structure, as to height, channel way, position of piers and plan of operation, pwohsestihbeilrityb, yopderarawteotro otherwise as Will not, by any render the navigation of said stream dangerous to the lives of pa.ssengersor the safety of car oes: and whereas it is properthat the Congress of the U.S. should protect the nav i ution of this highway of inland waters from the o structions of private persons or interestedeorporations, and yet should concede such privileges in regard to bridging the some as may not interfere with the rightful claims of river commerce.andin order to do so should be furnished With accurate information on the lots statedto guide its legislation and revont it from doing any wrong in the premises: herefore. Be it resolved by the Senate ami HoRep of the U.S.A. in Congress assembled. That the Secrctaryof War he directed to appoint a commission to consist of 3 officers of rtehpeocrotrpsof Engineers of the Army, to examine and at the present sessionof Congress. if practicaubpioon and if not, before the next.sessionof onuress. thosubject of the construction of railroad bridges acrosstheMississippiriver at such localities and upon such plans of construction as will offer the least impediment to the navigation of the river: and that the ssarmy.“810.000 or somuch thereof as may be neces be and the same is herebyI appropriated, out of any moneyin the Treasury not at crmse appropriated, to defray the expensesof said commission. I trust it may receive the favorable consideration of that committee and beingrafted as an amendment upon the bill now before them.