Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-15

WASHINGTON, D. c., February 1.-THE
Nicaraguan canal bill was before the Sen
ate to-day for couple OF hours, and was
then laid aside so that the sundry civil ap-
preparation bill might be proceeded with.
The canal bill was the subject or two
speeches and of "a running discussion ln
which Mr. Sherman, who is in charge or 10,
took a leading part He explained why 10
was that twelve millions of stock (already
issued was left outstanding. Atone point
q the discussion Mr.. Teller referred 10 a
statement Of Mr. Sherman's as a mlsrepre-
s6ntaUOn, whereupOn Alr. Sherman eX-
claimed that that was false, as he had MS
represented nothing.
MIR, Sherman reported back from the
Committee on Finance the amendment
suggested by himself some days ago IN
reference 70 the issue Of United states
three DER cent bonds. The Committee has
directed it 10 be offered 70 the sundry civil
appropriation bill. No change IS made IN
the amendment except 20 add, at the END
OF it. 10 the words ''f0r the purposes pro-
vided in said act" the words 'and none
other"
Mr.. Quay offered q resolution, which
was agreed to, calling Oa the Secretary OF
the Treasury for information as TO whether
any part of the appropriation Tor the
Worlds Columbian Exposition has Oeen
paid, and if so, under what modification OF
the rule as 10 Sunday closing. he also
gave notice Of an amendment 70 an apprO-
priatiOn bill making appropriations con-
necled with the Worlds Fair conditioned
on SUNDAY closing He also gave notice
Of an amendment TO the Nicaragua
Canal bil-that the act snail
not take effect until the
government Of the United States shall
have secured, by convention with the gov
ernmenJs Of Costa kiCa and Nicaragua,
tie right 20 fortify and garrison the termi-
nal OF the proposed canal on the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans, and 70 maintain one or
more armed vessels on LOke Nicaragua,
and TO march military forces through the
territory of either of those States Tor the
purpose Of protecting the canal and the per-
sons (citizens Of the United States operat-
lug the same.
Mr.sHoar offered a resolution (Which
went over until tomorrow providing that
on the 22d Of February-W ashlngtOu's
birthday -Washiugton's farewell address
be read 70 the Senate, Immediately after
the reading Of the journal, by the president
pro tempore, Mr.. MandersOn.
The Nicaraguan bin was then taken up,
and Mr. Sherman. In charge Of It, said that
he desired 20 explain matters which some
Senators appeared 70 be in doubt. Those
points were as 20 the amount OF stock
which the Government was not 20 own and
has 10 outstanding contracts between the
znal company and the construction COM
oany. These contracts, he said, were all
Id be swept out Of existence. They were
Inconsistent with the oil, because they
were on the basis Of a cost Of $3.50, ,OO0,O0O
for the construction of the canal. The
\ government would start with a clear
''table" IL would own SSO,OO6OOO out OF
500. 0OO, coo Of the stock; aud would have
ten directOrs-the Maritime Company be-
coming the mere agent and servant Of the
United States Twelve millions Of the
stock was in the hands Of private owners
and could only 0e obtained from them by
some method Of condemnation. Mr.. Brice
inquired whether IL would not be the pol
lev of the government (nOlding eighty mill
lions OF tue stock 20 fix the canal tolls so
as 20 leave no dividend for the stock and
whether, ia that event, the twelve mill
lions of stock in the hands Of private own
ers would be Of anylvalue at.alL..
Mr.. Sherman replied THAI his colleague
had stated very clearly the exact position
which the Committee on Foreign Reia-
tions took The Committee on Foreign
Relations did not consider that the stock
was worth anything but how was the gov
ernmeut 70 get il from its owners 10 was
private property, ana tue government lau
no right 20 cOnbscate No.
MIR. Teller interviewed IN the discussion,
relying on the report Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations 20 show that Mr.. Sher-
man was mistaken as TO some points.
MIR. Sherman declined 20 submit % the
interruption, which Mr.. Teller excused by
saving that he interviewed because the Sen
at0r from Ohio had been making misrep-
resentauOn.
"That is false" said Mr.. Sherman, Il do
not misrepresent anything. / say again
that if the government Of the United States
shall have the control of this canal, it is
not 70 be presumed that 10 would levy such
tolls as would pay dividends on watered
stock or any other stock"
Mr.. Teller came back 70 the report of the
committee and claimed that he was right
in what be had previously said. "When
the Senator from Ohio Mr., Teller C0ntin-
ued, "says that nv statement IS untrue he
denies ais own record, aud be denies the
facts on which his oil is based If the
Committee on Foreign Relations has since
come 10 the conclusion that another system
is 70 be adopted by the government, we are
not reSpOnSib bic for that. -
Mr.. SQUIRE made an eloquent speech in
support OF that bill. AT the close Of Mr.
Souire's speech the bin was laid aside and
the Senate went into executive session.
When the doors wer9 reOpened the Senate
resumed the consideration Of the Nicaragua
canal bill 10 was not disposed Of the con-
sideratiOn Of the sundry civil appropriation
bill was resumed. All but twelveS pages
Of the bill were disposed when the Senate
adjourned.