The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-06-05
M'DONALD ON HARRISON.
POLICY OF NePoTIsM CONDEMNED.
Gen. Harrison Certain TO be Beaten by the
Man Nominated Against Him-Tho
Niearaugan Canal scheme and Its
Probably Successful outeome.
[pailY sentinel May SOL

II will be remembered that during the late
campaign tho republican press tried 10 make
great capital out OF the fact that ex-senator Ne
Donald Endorsed Gen. Harrison cs 20 his char.
acter. The fact that man Of such prominence
should say anything in the least complimentary
to the republican candidate was 10 the republic
an sheets of SANDER n remarkable thing. Sena.
tor Mcdonald, however, was merely speaking
OF Gen. Harrison's private character at the
time, and now when he discovers weaknesses
in the administration Of the president be is
equally frank in expressing his opinion Of
them. A SENTINEL reporter yesterday asked
him what he thought OF the presidents civil
service policy. and his reply was given in one
sentence, but IL entirely comprehended the
subject.
Il have not" said he. "been paying very
much attention to politics, but have noticed
one fact-that is, that this is a Harrison admin
iStration on the republican pattern; and while
there may be good deal OF human nature in
~ the fact that he is taking special care that
MS relatives and personal friends are brought
10 the 'front.' IL not very popular; and the prob.
abilities are it will result in his defeat ii he is
renomlnted whoever may be the opposing
candidate 10 him"
Senator Mcdonald is a member OF the board
OF directors OF the Nicarauga canal company,
and has just returned from a meeting OF the
board held in New York City Notwithstand-
ing the wholesale discussion given this subject
during the last session OF congress there are a
great many people who do not understand
what the outcome OF the matter was. Accord.
ingly the reporter asked the senator for a brief
history OF the case IL now stands. ''The
present Nicarauga canal company" said he
was organized under charter granted by
the United States at the last session OF
congress, and is entirely private enterprise
IL was organized for the purpose OF receiving
concessions from the Nicaraugan and Costa
kican governments for the construction of an
inter-oceanic canal upon the Nicarauga route
that had been made 10 one association, and
which had been transferred 20 the Nicarauga
canal company, embracing surveys and pre-.
liminnry work, which the association had
already performed. The capital OF the company,
rs fixed by the act OF incorporation, was
hundred million dollars with tho privilege OF
increasing IL 10 two hundred millions II found
necessary, and the powers conferred were very
liberal IL Is emphatically an American com.
pany, end by the terms of the charter must re-
main under the control Of American citizens.
The line OF the canal as surveyed utilities
about one-halt the length, or something more.
OF San Juan river, and while the distance from
ocean TO ocean Is by the route 100 miles, there
IS less than forty miles OF the canal 10 con-
struct and an elevation of only 10 feet 10
overcome. The first move OF the enterprise
was started last Saturday by sending out pro-
peller containing the necessary engineer corps
and the foundation OF a working force 10 begin
such improvements at Gray Town harbor on
the Atlantic as may be necessary 10 secure the
proper landing, and the work will be pressed
forward with all the vigor and energy that
the enterprising men at its head can
throw into il. It's financial system is
yet to be developed, but with the
certainty that the canal can be constructed
at less than $l00000,000 cost and that as its
construction and management are both in the
hands of thoroughly reliable men, there is very
little doubt that the necessary funds can be
obtained. Chief Engineer Menacal, who is
thoroughly familiar with the whole ground, is
very confident that the canal will be completed
inside of five years. The company expects to
utilize the best part Of the force and construct
ing power that has been set free by the failure
of the Panama canal enterprise"