The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-17
PANAMA CANAL PAY DAY
HANDS LOADED UP WITH 100000
OR 100000 IN SILVER.


for the West Indies Costa Rica and Chilli.
A limited amount Of work continues to be
done on all the sections of the canal and
total suspension is not expected until the
middle Of March On Feb. II the contrac-
tors employees were paid off. The amount
of their pay aggregated between 100000
and $500, 900 IN silver. A great many peo-
pie are leaving the isthmus. Perfect lorder
prevails.
NORWOOD AND THE IsTHNIUs
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.- Representative
Norwood of Georgia has drawn up an elab-
crate minority report in opposition to the
passage of the Senate Panama canal reso-
luton by the House. The report begins by
calling attention to the supreme Importance
and gravity of the resolution, the doctrine
of which, it says once announced must be
for all time maintained at whatever cost of
lie and treasure The proceedings in the
Senate are cited to show that the resolution
was immaturely, hastily and lnconslder-
ately acted upon by that body, and the
form is also found Objectionable. 1t is said
that the resolution attempts TO usurp the
treaty making power of the President and
Senate The report says;
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
''The resolution pretends to affirm what
is commonly called the Monroe doctrine.
POstponing for moment the question of
what that doctrine is, we beg to vindicate
history by saying and by showing that
neither congress nor the United States
have, or has ever adopted or sanctioned the
Monroe doctrine. More than this, neither
house Of congress, before this session, has
ever sanctioned it.n
An interesting review Of events in the
early history of the United States leading
up to the declaration Of the Monroe doc
trine follows, and, in explanation Of its
real meaning, the report says: The end
aimed at was political, governmental and
not commercial. They were considering
the rights of man, his freedom from civil
and religious bondage, not avenues of
wealth They thought not of the mer-
chants who 20 down to the sea in ships and
do business III the great waters, nor even of
nations that conduct commerce in fair
ways.
WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF.
'They thought only OF the approach of
desDotism that would subjugate and de-
stroy. The danger to be guarded against,
the rights and interests to be protected
with singular unanimity from Monroe to
Polk. were treated as purely political and
governmental The declaration was to
protect and preserve our own government
and liberties, and not those Of any other
government on this hemisphere. Our pur-
pose in protecting other republics was TO
protect ourselves. This construction of
the Monroe doctrine makes it per-
fectly consistent with our national
policy, unbroken for hundred
years, of avoiding entangling alliances, of
nOninterfeTence in the affairs of another
nation, of attending exclusively to our own
business, and leaving all other governments
to work out their own destinies. That
policy is founded in wisdom, Justice, and
safety. If adhered TO it will make our
cause of quarrel always Just, and make us
thrice armed and invincible."
AFALsE DECLARATION.
The report continuing, objects to the res
olution. first, because it would be false
declaration and wrong application of the
Monroe doctrine, but a new doctrine going
a long bound beyond that of Monroe. Sec
ond, because it is aimed at a sister republic.
The Monroe doctrine, neither in letter or in
spirit had or has any application TO
form of government like our
own. Under this head the report
argues that even if Gen. Boulanger should
compel the French government to complete
the canal, it would not amount to coloniza-
ton of Colombia or an invasion to over
throw tue republic, or imminent danger TO
our political Institutions such as would
Justify our interfe euce under the Monroe
doctrine. The canal question is purely
commercial and if dealt with at all, is
matter for treaty.
AN UNTENABLE POSITION.
Thirdly the report opposes the resolution
because it would commit the United States
to a position impolitic and wholly unten-
able There is no rule of international laF
on which we could maintain it, and on
the Monroe doctrine, the argument is en-
tirely against US. In conclusion, pointing out
that correspondence must necessarily follow
the adoption of the resolution, the report
saws: "France would further embarrass
us by pointing to some facts that to the
minds of the minority Of the committee
are not demonstration Of the undiluted
patriotism Of the pending resolution. The
facts are that the United States know il
1879 that Count de Lesseps would begin
work on the Isthmian canal, for they sent
two representatives TO the lnterOceaplC
canal congress, held in Paris in May, 1879,
and that our government has known that
the work has been progre sing for years.
And when Count de Lcsseps' company
becomes financially embarrassed, and the
canal will probably fail unless France
should give aid, congress gives sudden birth
to twin meaSures-one to incorporate the
Nicaragua Canal Company ms a rival Of the
DeLesseps Company and the other law
threatening Franco on suspicion that she
may attempt to save the rival Of the Ameri-
can company from utter ruin. And we
could not deny that there is a very unique
iuxtaposition and marvellous coincidence in
these two measures-enough so, at least, 10
suggest to an impartial mind that possibly
there is more thrift than patriotism in this
resolution
M'CREARY's MISTAKE.
Chairman McCreary Of the committee on
foreign affairs, in reporting the Edmunds
Panama isolation favorably to the House
two weeks ago, said that the report was
practically unanimous, only Mr.. Russell OF
Massachusetts, objecting. Mr. Russell smiled
al this at the time, but Monday when Mr..
McCreary submits that report again lit was
recommended to be printed he will have 10
announce that a minority report accom-
panies it signed by three and possibly 10y
five Of his democratic colleagues on the
committee. Mr.. Norwood, who prepared
il: Mr.. Russell Of Massachusetts, who says
il il uuansN cradle, aud Mr.. Cothran Of
South Carolina have signed it, and Mr..
Hooker Of Mississippi and Mr. Rayner Of
Maryland may do 50. II all five sign it
Mr. McCreary will be left with only one
democrat supporting his position.