The record-union., 1891-02-21
special to the REcoRpuNrox.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The Senate to-
day passed 145 pension bills and then pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the Mica
ragua Canal bill.
Vest, in opposing the Nicaragua Canal
bill, said that if Great Britain assumed
that the Clayton Bulwer treaty was in
existence (and the Senate has no intima-
ton that it did not, then it was fair to
assume that the Government of Great
Britain would act as the Government of
the United States would act under similar
circumstances. IfGreat Britain should,
in spite of the Clayton -Bulwer treaty
undertake to build a canal across the
1sthmus without the consent of the United
States, would Great Britain be satisfied
when told that her conduct as to the
Belize and Mosquito coast had destroyed
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. If the Sena-
tors were prepared to say to the British
Empire that they would determine the
question without any reference to her in
terests or wishes, then let them say that
and accept what would be the conse-
quences. If not war, condition of ami
mostly, antagonism and distrust which
would operate injuriously on the inter-
ests of both countries and of the world.
Edmunds asked if Vest thought the bill
was violation of any obligation of the
United States toward Great Britain, or
any other foreign country.
Vest-'1 think that unless Great Brit
ain has itself abrogated the treaty, this
does.'
The remainder of Vests speech was de-
voted TO the argument that the interests
of the United States were sacrificed TO
those of the concessonarieS of a canal
company, who had organized among
themselves construction company with
which the maritime company made con-
tracts.
Morgan explained that if the work had
TO be done by a company, it would cost
(as bonds would have TO be sold at 80 per
cent, and interest have to be paid on the
stock while work was in progress,) S240,-
000,000, while under the pending bill the
cost would not exceed SlOo,001, GOO. So,
instead OF the shippers having to pay
- % ton, they would not have to pay
more than 81 a ton.
Stewart gave notice of an amendment
providing that the Chief of Engineers of
the Army shall have supervision and
control of the construction of the canal
and work, to be subject to the laws, rules
and regulations of Congress or the War
department.
Davis opposed the BILL The pending
proposition was in plain terms a subsidy
10 the extent of S100,0O0,0OO, to build a
work lying entirely outside of the ma
uonal domain and traversing q foreign
country. 1t was his opinion that if the
canal was to be constructed at ALL it
should be done by the Government di-
fectly, like any other work OF public i'm
provement.
Edmunds spoke in defense and advo-
cacy of the bill, and without action the
Senate adjourned
IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-Cannon re-
ported from the Committee on Rules
resolution for the immediate considera-
ton of business reported by the Commit
tee on Judiciary, the first bill to be one
for the relief of the Supreme Court, with
the Senate amendments
After an Intellectual effort by Blount
and Breckenridge to defeat the resolution.
Cannon took the floor, stating that he
Would say few words as to the merits of
the proposition.
NlcMillin of Tennessee INQUIRED
whether Cannons object was not a pre-
vention of the forty-minute debate al
lowed under the rules.
Cannon replied in the affirmative, in
view OF the dilatory motions already
made on the Democratic side, under the
lead OF McMlllin, the Republicans ac-
cepted notice from that side that it did
not desire to facilitate business.
McMillin said the Democrats would
meet Cannon's programme at every
point.
Blount moved to recommit the resolu-
tion, and on the yeas and nays a great
body of Democrats left the hall. The
vote resulted: Yeas II, nays $50, the Clerk
noting quorum present.
The question then recurred on the de-
mand for the previous question, and hav-
ing demanded the yeas and nays, Nc
Millin called the Democrats from the
cloak room to his support Having
obeyed the signal long enough to accom-
plish McMillin's object. the Democrats
once more disappeared.
The motion was carried-15O to 8. n
quorum being noted
The resolutions were then agreed to-
100 to 4, and the court bill was immedi-
ately taken up.
The Senate amendments were non-con-
Cured in, and a conference ordered.
The House substitute for the bill fixing
the salaries of United States District
Judges was withdrawn, leaving the SEN
ate bill in its original form. providing
that the salaries shall be 5000 per an
mum.
McMillin offered an amendment re-
ducing the salary to $1,000.
To this j. d. Taylor offered an amend
ment, providing that the salaries shall be
increased $500.
No quorum voted, and the House took
a recess.