The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-06
NICARAGUA's CANAL.
A Futile Effort TO Pass the Bill in
the House.

bl4O A1OOSO.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5.-Immediately after
the reading of the journal this morning the
House proceeded to consideration of private
business. Tho point of no quorum was
raised against the first bill called up, and
for three-quarters of an hour the business
of the House was at standstill. However,
a motion was agreed to for an adjournment
from to-day until Monday.
Subsequently Mr.. Allen of Mississippi
who had raised the point of no quorum,
paid a tribute to his own amiability
of disposition and withdrew the point, and
the wheels of legislation were once more
put in motion and revolved without fric-
ton until Mr. Kilgore of Texas called up
for consideration the House bill TO incor-
porate the Maritime Canal Company of
Nicaragua. By the rule under which the
House is acting five objectors are sufficient
to prevent the consideration of any measure,
and as Messrs Martin, Lanham and Culber-
son of Texas, Lawler of Illinois, Fuller of
Iowa and Butler of Tennessee objected, the
bill was not placed before the House.
CALLED UP AGAIN LATER.
Several private bills having been disposed
of in committee Of the whole. Mr.. McRae of
Arkansas called up the Senate bill to incor-
rate the Maritime Canal Company of Mica
TdRuhs liu uillS lAlllO IAiO ilAC1b9uio Woo tuhSh
up for consideration
Mr.. Culberson of Texas offered an amend
ment providing that nothing in this act
should be held or construed in any manner
to involve the United States in any pecuni-
ary obligation whatever, other than in re-
spect to the payment of tolls.
Mr.. Phelan Of Tennessee offered amend
ments providing that the canal shall be
under the control and protection of the
in crdar tbut tho iufa 70 of
all the North and South American people
may be guarded against any infringement
or aggression on the part Of foreign nations;
also, that the tolls shall be equal on the
same class Of tonnage for vessels OF all
nations, except as provided in article 54
of the concessions and DEGREES Of
the republic of Nicaragua TO the
Nicaragua Canal Association of New York; ;
also, that the United States government
binds itself to protect all rights of citizens
acquired under said concessions, and de-
crees and guarantees the neutrality Of said
canal, and its operation under the terms of
said concessions and DEGREES. subject TO the
consent and approval, by treaty or other
wise, of the countries through which the
canal may be constructed.
OPPOSED BY MR. CULBERsoN.
Mr.. Culberson opposed Mr.. Phelan's
amendments. If they were adopted, the
government would have to keep staining
army in Nicaragua to protect the rights of
the corporation.
Mr.. Phelan replied that the gentleman
radically misapprehended the terms of the
amendment. They were drawn for the
purpose of preventing the result which the
gentleman was apprehensve might ensue.
They had been drawn in careful conformity
with the utterances Of the state depart
ment from President Grants administration
to the present time.
Mr.. Fuller Of Iowa said that tho bill was
piece of gigantic legislation. 1t was 50
important that it should not be considered
on Friday, when it was expected that only
ordinary private bills would be called up,
and at a time when there were only about
sixty members present. He did not intend
TO permit the bill to go through without
quorum.
Mr.. Phelan, in order not TO imperil the
passage of the BILL withdrew his amend
ments and Mr.. Culborson's amendment was
agreed to.
The bill being In committee OF the whole
the question was put on reporting it favor
ably to the House. The vote resulted 80 to
o, and Mr.. Fuller made the point Of no
quorum. The committee thea rose.