Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-12-31
The Maritime Canal.

The Maritime Canal.
The annual report Of tho Maritime Canal
company of Nicaragua shows that much
costly and necessary preparatory work mas
been done during the year in the construc-
ton OF shops, railroad tracks ana hatDoI
piers. and break waters, and that the work
Of canal construction had made some sue
cess deem II to be matter OF tiie n!gn-
est concern to the United States tiat 'ii!s
canal. connecting the waters OF the Az
lantjc aud Pacific oceans, and giving to US
q short water communication between our
ports upOn those two great seas, should DC
speedily constructed. and at the smaiies'
practical limit OF cost.
Ii this work is to be promoted Oy tno
usual financial methods and without the
aid OF this government, the expenditures.
in its interest bearing securities and
stocks, will probably be twice the actual
cost Every dollar OF the bonds and STOCK
OF the company should represent doiiaT
expended in the Legitimate and economical
prosecution OF the work. This is only pos
sible by giving to the bonds the guaranty
OF the United States government. ousn =,
guaranty would secure the READY saie at
par of 3 per cent bond. from time to time.
as the money was needed.
The island of Navassa. in the west In
dian group. has. under the provisions or
title - Of the revised statutes. been recok-
:iized by the president as appertalnins 10
the L nited States. 1t contains guano de-
posits. Is owned by the Navassa Phosphate
company, and occupied solely by Its EN-
ployes. In September, 1899. revolt took
place among these laborers. resulting in
the killing OF some OF the agents OF the
company, caused. as the laborers claimed,
by cruel treatment. These men were ar
rested and tried inthe United states courts
at Baltimore, under section 55i6 OF the
statutes referred tn, as il the offenses had
been committed or board merchant ves-
sci Of the United States on the high seaa.
A board of naval officers reported. among
other things, as follows:
I'VE would desire to state further. that
the discipline maintained on the island
seems to be that of convict establishment
without its comforts ana cleanliness, and
that until more attention is paid to the
shipping of laborers. by placing 1t undel
government supervision, to prevent mlsun-
Outstanding and Misrepresentation. and I'M
til some amelloratlon is shown in the treat
ment of the laborers. these disorders Will
be of constant occurrence"
recommend legislation that shall place
labor contracts upon this and othc Islands
giving the relation that Navassa has to the
United States under the supervision CT q
court commissioner. and that shall provide
at the expense of the Ownefs an officer t.
reside on the Islands with power to Judge
and adjust disputes and to enforce just
aud humane treatment Of the employees.
international copyright has been So
cured. in accordance with the conditions
OF the act Of March 8, 1891, with Belgium
France, Great Britain and the British pos
sessions, and Switzerland, the laws o.
those countries permitting to our citizens
the benefit of copyright on substantial,
the same basis IS their own citizens or sub
jects. With Germany . special conven
ton had been negotiated upon this sub
ject. which will oring that country within
the reciprocal benefits of our legislation.