The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-30
CONGRESS AND THE PANAMA CANAL.
Bnrren Result Of tho Inquiry Made by the
House Committee In 1870.


House Committec In 1870.
WASHINGTON. Dec. co.-The assertion having
been made that suspicion Of Count dc Lesscps $
honesty in the management OF the Panama
Canal scheme was excited as far back as 1879
in the minds OF mem bers OF Congress. review
OF the history OF the canal project In the Con-
gress OF tho United States may be OF interest.
On Dec. ~. 1870 the House OF Representa-
tives adopted a resolution empowering u
select committee to examine into the
subject OF the selection Of II suitable
route for the construction OF an interoceanic
ship canal across the American lsthmua VI
tho eleven members who served on the COM
mttee some are dead. while others have re-
tired into ohscurity. leaving only one remain
ing in Congress- Senator Frye of Maine When
asked to-day concerning his impression Of tho
trustworthness OF Count do Lesseps and his
associates. asGaned from the testimony OF De
Lesscps and others before tho select commit
tee. Senator Frye sai5 his impressions OF the
inquiry were very indistinct. hut he was cor
tain that he had no suspicion Mt the time that
Do Lesseps was not the honorable man he had
always been represented to be.
Il had no suspicion that he was not entirely
what he was represented to be" said the Sen.
ator. until he changed the plan OF the canal
to one requiring the use OF locks. after he mad
secured his subscriptions on the representa-
ton that it would be constructed on the simple
plan OF a sea-level canal. l believe Lieut.
Kimball OF the navy. who had spent some time
on the Isthmus. first placed suspicion in my
mind. Count de Lessons had been called on
bali told m that he had not represented the
true condition Of the work OF construction
sure suspsio1s af be- esseps at the time
They were. like myself. anxious to discover
the best route fer ship canal rS Sonn Meeting the
th" was Il that the Niearagua Canal project was
Other mem bers Of the committee were i'm
pressed with the Eads ship canal plan"
of the tho T indisiduai members Of tho COMMITTEES
in reference to tho respective projects consid-
cred. the inquiry resulted IL no nothing more
of resolutions renffirming the Monroe doc
trine and making no recommendation CON
Whether this negative action was tho result
OF doubt IA to the honesty OF the promoters OF
the project hns mot to &
picious. although 1t is reported that some ..,
that De Lessops purposely misled the COM
mittee.
Canal scheme contained in the resolutions
submitted to the House by the sci ect commit
tee on inquiry-and these resoutions were
never adopted-was contained in the following
THAT it is the interest and right OF the
United States to have possession. direction.
control. and government OF any canal. rail-
road; or other artificial communication to be
the American continents for the transfer Of
vessels and cargoes from tho Caribbean Sea to
tho Pacific Ocean. whether the same be built
where: and in view Of the MAGNITUDE Of this
interest. 1t is the duty Of the United States to
same may be commenced. prosecuted. or COM
pleted. and whatever tho nationality Of its cor
interest OF the United States and their right to
possess and control the said canal or other ar
tincial communication will be asserted and
maintained whenever in their opinion 1t shall
become necessary"