Mr. HENDRICKS. I am not very rtic nlar about the number of years. This is a grant that was made more than ten years ago to aid in the construction of a road in Missouriand Arkansas. The Senators own constituency have large interests in this ver road; more, a eat eal, as I understand, t on the O Arkansas. I think the president of a company is a citizen of Illinois, Mr. Bray l man. It is upon his application that the time is new extended. The Senator knows that the financial trouble of 1857, and then the war coming on, irevented the construction of many railroads. his was one of the roads not constructed within the time limited by the act of Congress; but bonds have been issued and stock subscribed, and the committee thought it was but fair to allow a reasonable time for the completion of this road, as we have done in almost every other State where the companies have been unable to finish the road within the time fixed. The grants are made upon the condition that the roads shall be constructed within ten years. That has been the character of all the grants since the 1st grant made to the State of Illinois for the great Cen tral road. The condition is that the road must be finished within ten years, else the lands granted shall revert to the Government. Now, the Senator knows that in 1857 a very severe financial crisis came 11 on the country and stopped almost all wor upon railroads. It affected enterprises in Iowa, Wisconsin, and in other States; and during the lust and the present session of Congress we have extended in some cases for 5 years, and in some cases, I believe, for 8 years, the time within which the roads might be completed, giving a reason able time for the completion of the roads. Now, if the Senator thinks that ten years is too long, let him propose an amendment; but certainly he will not defeat the investment of money already made, mainly by men from the northern States, in this particular road, upon the technical proposition that the time limited has expired.