Mr. HENDERSON. I am very well aware of that; but the Senator will reco lost that he may have them in the line of the current in low water and the will not be parallel with the current in big water. The Senator knows perfectly well that the current of the Missis sippi is not always in the same line; that the current changes even in high and low water. The current of a river, I apprehend, is controlled more or less by the height of the water and by the obstructions that may present thera selves and those obstructions maybe different in high water from low water. The building of a.wharf ata town may change the entire current of the river for miles above and below the town. such things have frequently occurred. The smallest obstacle in nature will oftentimes change the current even of a river like the mississippi. The Senator need not tell me that when a pier is built at an ordina stage of water parallel with the current of teriver it is always so. We know to the contra. We know at the current is different in big 1 water from low water. Hence it is an utter imos sibility; and when you come to abate these bridges as a nuisance in the courts it will be found that the testimony is never sufficient to do it, and when they are once fastened upon the surface of that river we shall never get rid of them. I would gladly say today that no bridge shall be constructed on the Mississippi river. I do not wish to put obstacles in the way of railroad transportation; but when you bring into oom petition with the transportation upon the Mississippi river the transportation upon the lines of the railroads of this country, I infinitel prefor that great river. Nature has made a etter railroad there than man can ever make, one upon which the productions of that great country can be transported much more cheaply than they ever can be carried upon the lines of railroad built by mortal man. The road is already made. All that man has to do is to construct the car the steamboat and put it upon that magnificent stream. So for MT am concerned, I would not mar that stream, nor would I mar the stream of transpOrtation that must pass u n it in all time to come, by the Construction of these bridges. But, sir, when the Senator tells me that the Senate of the U.S. is to enter upon a scheme of building these bridges, and a hill the more effect of which not tpreopoobs eest is to benefit a little town in the StAte of Hi nois at the expense of the people of my own State, and I offer to amend it so as to give them equal privileges with the pee is of Illinois, I am met With the prpposition at no committee has examined its hat. if they have not? I know that country perfectly well; and if ten thensand committees were to examine it, they could not enli liten us upon the subject: The Senfrom Illinois knows the country perfectly well. I aprehend the Senfrom Minnesota knowsi. The lines of railroad from the East go directly to the city of Hannibal; and why not give us a brid e 20 milestrom Quincy ifa company will nild it? I propose to amend the bill so as to let ushavearailroad bridge at Hannibal, if Quincy is to have one. If we are to enter upon this system of railroad bridges far down immediately upon the surface of that great stream and to have bells rung for the opening of the draws, when every half mile of that mighty stream in the course of a few years will be covered with the commerce of a mighty nation for when I speak of the West I almost speak of this nation, and when Ispeak of the nation I speak of the West as it wi I be in the course of 20 years from today when it is proposed to have these bridges, let us make t cm equal, and let the people of every State be equall benefited by them if anybody is to be beneted; and if anybody is to be injured, let all be injured alike. I do not mean to vote for the building of any bridge so fisr as I am concerned even if this proposition shall be amended. I he e that the Senate will not refuse me this amendment, because otherwise the bill would be unjust. Will any Senator tell me why the Toledo and Pittsburg and Fort Wayne road should not have aconnection direct at Hannibal as well as the northern cross road? It is a direct line from Toledo, by the way of Hannibal, to StJose h. It is as straight as it can be, much straighter than the other road. Then why not build a bridge there? I knowof no oint on that greatstream better fitted for bniling abridge than the town of Hannibal.