The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
DID LESSEPS USE MONEY?
Testimony of. Floyd King Before the
Panama Investigating Committee.
Public Sentiment Seemed to Change After the
Frenchman's Visit - Associate Justice
Jackson Confirmed by the Senate.
Americans Lost Interest In the Monro
Doctrine After De Lesseps' Visit.


Americans Lost Interest in the Monroe
Doctrine After De Lesseps' Visit.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-Before the Pans-
ma investigating committee to-day. j.
Floyd King, formerly o member of Con-
gress from Louisiana. testified that the
special committee OF which he was q men,
Der made q report in favor of an inter-
oceanic ship railway and later report
asserting the Monroe doctrine as one which
should be applied against the construction
of q canal by foreign power. The report
seemed ia have many friends when made.
but In q short time the position of
the public mind seemed TO have become
inverted and little heed was given
to the Monroe doctrine. On motion of
Mr.. Cox. of New York. the report was laid
on the table. The Hayes administration
was strongly in favor of UNFOLDING the
Monroe doctrine, and was hostile TO tho
French company. Witness had frequent
consultations with Secretly Thompson.
Dir. Thompson was strongly opposed to the
French company, and was vehement In
his expression that the Monroe doctrine
should be asserted against the Panama
Canal Company.
Mr.. Geary-Whas then did you think of
the retirement of Secretary Thompson to
become the representative Of the Panama
Canal Company
Mr. King-Of course thought it was
most unprecedented action.
Mr. Geary-Surely it must have shocked
you TO find man who was so opposed TO
the Panama company as Secretary of the
Navy become its sgentg
The WItness-It did; had not the slight
est premOnitIoD that he WAS going to re-
sign. / never went near him, and had no
talk with him after he resigned from the
Cabinet.
Mr. Geary asked. without receiving any
very definite response, number of ques-
tions as to whether or not at the time the
canal matters were under discussion there
was not q good deal of talk about the use
of ImDroDer means 10 influence legis-
lation. Mr.. KING replied to these
questions by saying IN effect that there
were plenty of rumors. but that be knew
of no circumstances of the sort. The pain
full fact to his mind was that. after the
visit of De Lesseps to this country.
there was lack of any feeling regarding
the assertion of the Monroe doctrine. There
was an atmosphere which suggested that
public sentiment had been mysteIIouslv
changed concerning the Panama Canal
Company.
Mr.. Geary-You had a great deal of &C.
qusintance with this question. The propo-
eitIon is that en- attempt vas made by the
Hayes administration to enlarge the
Monroe doctrine so az to ex-
on the isthmus. The application
of the Monroe doctrine. as asked by Mr..
Hayes was refused. Now there must hav 9
been talk about this at the time. Was the
result cansed by appeals TO the lntelliaence
of legislators, or by appeals to their
The WItness-Before DeLesseps came
here the sentiment was very strongly In
favor of the Monroe doctrine and American
control 1 know of no improper means
cannot recall any circumstances save
one. A lady, now dead, SAID to me.
in badinage. as / took il. something about
''better get some of De Lesseps's money" 1
turned Ii off and it passed as q Joke, and
perhaps she meant 1t as such. That is the
only time any Improper speech about such
matters was made in my hearing. / think
it was Immediately after De Lesseps was
here.
When asked as to President Hayes's at
titude, Mr.. King said that the President
was strongly opposed to the canal as q
French institution. In all his visits to
President Hayes. witness was impressed
with three thIngs-that he was a man of
extraordinary integrity and the higest
sense of honor. and he was an exalted
patriot.
Mr.. Patterson-I believe that will be the
Judgment of the entire country and his
tory.
And" added Mr.. King. The was the
kindest President. personally. to our
Southern people. that have ever come in
contact w! H."
Mr.. Patterson-Mr. Seligman testified
that Mr.. Thompson resigned as Secretary
OF the Navy to 90 with the canal company
with the consent and approval of Mr..
Hayes.
Mr.. King tdecisively)-I do not believe
1t. MIR. Hayess whole moral and mental
bearing was in absolute opposition to is
This evening Messrs Storer and Patter-
son left for Terre Haute, Ind, to examine
ex-Speretarv Thonnson