The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-22
WAR MIGHT DO Us GOOD.
ALABAMA CONGREssMBN SPEAK
OUT IN THE HOUSE.

Sectionalism Very Apt to Meet Its
Death if Johnnie and the Yank Went
Marching Out shoulder to Shoulder
The Nicaragua Canal Bill Brings Up
the Subject.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 21.-The House TO-
dav went into committee of the whole on
the Nicaraguan bill The pending amend
ment was tHat offered by Mr.. Spinola of
New York limiting the capital stock of the
company to $l00. .000, 600; also one providing
that all shares, bonds, certificates and other
evidence Of Indebtedness shall be paid for
only in cash, to be paid into the company's
treasury and used for corporate purposes.
After a brief debate the amendment was
rejected by vote of rs to l3S.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Stockdale
of Miss ssippi, providing that none of the
concessions Of the Nicaraguan government
shall be changed without the consent of the
United States government, was rejected by
vote of IL to 6S.
On motion of Mr.. Payson of Illinois an
amendment was adopted providing that all
bonds, stock and certificates shall be issued
at the principal office in New York city.
An amendment Offered by Mr.. Homanl
was adopted providing that the directors
shall be citizens of the United States or of
Nicaragua, and that a majority shall be
citizens and residents of the United States.
OATES APPROVES THE PROJECT.
In the course of a speech in support of
the bill, MIR. Oates of Ala ANA said that
from every standpoint the enterprise COM
mended itself to him He did not think
that it would be necessary for the
United States to maintain a large
navy to protect American interests on the
isthinus; nor did he think that the prosecu-
ton of the enterprise would involve the
country in foreign war. While he would
not welcome war at any time he was not
sure that If the cause of the United States
was just a foreign war would be of detri-
ment to this country. He was apprehensive
that nothing would ever completely eradi-
cate sectionalism in this country except a
foreign war, and if it had no other benefi
cal result, such a war Gf it was not very
great and very expensive one), would be
worth he outlay.
Mr.. Herbert of Alabama coincided with
the views of his colleague. foreign war,
he said, might prove to be great blessing
to the people of the United States Ii the
United States could have a war-a war, of
course in which its cause was just q
union of those who fought on different
sides during the late civil war must tend
to bring together the people of the whole
country. He was afraid that unless the
country had war with q foreign nation
in which the people of the south could
demonstrate the field of battle their 10y
atty to the government, the late war would
never be forgotten by the north.
CHANGES IN CONCESSIONS.
Mr.. Macdonald of Minnesota offered an
amendment providing that no change of
the concessions made by Nicaragua and
Costa Rica which in any way affects t
rights of American citize IS or the right of
the government of the United States to
have voice in the governmental control
of the use of the canal shall be valid until
the consent of the United States shall have
been first given. This was adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Baker of New York an
amendment was adopted requi1 & the
company to make reDort to the Secretary
Of the interior on the first Monday in each
year.
On motion Of Mr.. Bland of Missouri an
amrndment was adopted providing that
the United States government shall not be
stopped from exercising at any time any
rights or powers that now exist by virtue
Of the laws of nations, or that may be
acquired through treaty stipulation, relative
to the transportation of American citizens
and their pro- erty through the canal.
NO RIGHT TO PURCHASE.
Mr.. Baker of Illinois offered an amend
ment providing that the government of the
United States shall, at any time at its own
option, have the right to purchase the en-
tire property Of t company at a price
equal to its actual cost, with interest at the
rate of per cent. per annum This was re-
Jected, but it was agreed that it might be
offered in the House and yea and nay
vote taken upon it.
The committee then rose, and the previous
question was ordered on the bill and its
amendment.