The morning call., 1893-01-24
THE ASSEMBLY.
Much Oratory Over the Nicaragua
Canal Resolution

| The attendance was slim. Committees on
Roads and Highways and on Public Build
ings and Grounds reported several measures
heretofore noted. The latter committee
recommended the adoption of Burke's bill
providing for the selection, condemnation
and purchase of site and erection of a
State building In San Francisco. The bill
locates all the State officials having offices
in San Francisco in said building and APP
propriates 100000 for Its construction.
| Bills were introduced by Duckworth re-
lating to the making Of sworn statements of
the character. amount and value of personal
property under the control of taxpayers on
the first Monday in March.
Also relative to the powers OF Bank Com
missioners, and providing for sworn state
ments by bankers.
Bills were sent up providing for depos-
it0ry for county funds; regulating the prac-
tice of medicine; to declare what constitutes
insurance companies and define the duties
| and provide for an annual statement of
their business; regulating the sale of lands
| uncovered by the recession Of the waters of
inland lakes and unsettled swamps of over
flowed lands; providing for the manufacture
of paper, the printing of books and papers
and binding of books for public use at
the Folsom State prison; exempting agri-
cultural, horticultural, vitcultural and pas
toral occupations from license taxation.
| Shanahan introduced by request con-
| current resolution encouraging the reduc-
| ton OF base and refractory low-grade gold
and silver ores. and approprlating 500. 600
as bonus to any person erecting suitable
| plant therefor. The bill was accompanied
| by resolution carrying out the necessary
| provisions.
The Senate substitute resolution relative
to the Nicaragua canal was taken I'D.
Adams moved to substitute therefor Sem
ate joint resolution No. 8.
Wade of Napa opposed the motion, and
made a ieng by speech on the Importance of
the canal
The resolution adopted by the Senate, he
| said. is the same as Assembly resolution
| No. 6. 1t encourages a measure now before
| Congress, aud il that measure did not pass
no measure would pass ipresent.
Kahn Of San Francisco said this measure
was one of the most important ever taken
up In any Legislature. He was surprised
to find any man opposing such measure.
The people of California would find a de-
gree of prosperity following the completion
of the canal never before known. The pas
sage of the Caminetti bill. which is gener-
| ally agreed to be one Of the most important
to California, was not equal to the measure,
as the effect of the latter covers longer
continuous period.
Sims of Sonoma said that the Morgan bill
seemed to be the capitalization of the
wants OF the people of this country A
competing railroad and this canal are the
most important matters before the people
of the State to-day. The bill needs no COM
=
mands Of merchants aud farmers that it is
! necessary.
Sims said that the expense for shipping
| goods at present often consumes the entire
| profits on the article.
The substitute favored by Adams was
| read by the clerk for the better information
OF the members. 1t provides for the repeal
OF the charter of the Nicaragua Canal Com
pany and for the refusal by the Govern
ment of all aid to the company; also, for
the renewal of the treaty of 1884 with Mica
| ragua, providing also for the purchase OF
the privileges Of the canal company by this
| Government and the building and owning
of the canal by this Government solely.
Biedsoe explained the relation of the
measure favored by Adams to the Morgan
BILL and asked that Adams substitute be
| voted down.
| Vann said that the Populists will not OPP
pose the Nicaragua canal, but were OPP
| posed to the Government loaning money to
| great corporation. He claimed that there
was no court In the country that would not
| compel the directors representing this
country to handle the affairs OF the cor
poration in the interests of the corporation
| IL the matter was ever made the subject of
legal proceedings. Recess until Up. Nj.
Vann, resnmipg his speech after recess,
said the United States would be much bet
ter off had it assumed charge of the Pacific
railroads at the start. The Government
now proposes to lend money to a corpora
ton alta low rate OF interest, but IL the
| Populists. few as they are said to be in
number. should ask the Government to
loan money on their lands at low rate of
interest, the cry would 60 up "unconstitu-
tional." He claimed that if the Govern
ment can own part Of the canal, 1t can
own ali Of it. In his opinion the Morgan
act was another steal. and it was an insult
to the American people to ask them to put
up money for the canal and then refuse to
let them control it.
Shanahan said be not only agreed with
the Popuists on-this question, but believed
in the Government ownership of telegraphs
and modes of transportation. lie believed
that IL the canal is to be the work of the
United States 1t should be inaugurated and
run on the basic Of good to the people at
the bare cost OF transportation and not
/ with the result of profit to private corpor-
alton. Ii the Government lends its. sane
ton at all 1t should be for the absolute con-
! struction and ownership Of the canal. Zap
| plause.
4 alar nj nf
in the CHAIR said that there could be but one
course in view Of the condition under which
the people. as far as great corporations are
concerned, now are. The probabilities were
that the directors OF the canal. in view Of
past history. would proceed to let contracts
to side companies composed of themselves.
He believed it should be q national enter
prise and controlled by the nation. He
sincerely hoped 1t would be done as be-
comes great nation In great and grand
way. with the nations hand at the helm
and wheel.
Gould's speech was received with great
applause.
Thomas Of Santa Clara and Finlayson of
Los Angeles discussed the matter. The lat
ter said he would vote down any PROPOSE
tion instructing Congress what they should
do. and suggested some of the superabund-
ant wisdom Of the Assembly should be de-
voted to the consideration of measures
awaiting attention.
Bledsoc said the members seemed to for.
get that without the concessions of Nicara-
| qua the United States could not own a foot
of canal. lie held 1t absurd that any one
should claim the power Of the United States
to own the whole of the canal.
Barlow OF San Luis Obispo said Bledsoe's
argument was based on misconception as
to concessions Of Costa Rica aud Nicaragua.
| The people of his county waptad the Cow