06/01/1886
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"It seems to me that the language of the bill under consideration...is equivalent to a new grant to that company."
"It is certainly very questionable whether piers should be permitted at all in the North River at the point designated for the location of this bridge."
"It seems absolutely certain that within a few years a great volume of shipping will extend to that location, which would be seriously embarrassed by such obstruction."
"At the same time, it is a plain dictate of wisdom and expediency that the commerce of the river be not unnecessarily interfered with by bridges or in any other manner."