St. Paul daily globe., 1893-02-19
SENTIMENT CHANGED.
ADpearance Before the Panama
Committee of a Member OF the
Special Committee.
Sudden Change of Sentiment as
to Monroe Doctrine After De
Lessons Appearance.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S.-Before the
Panama investigating committee today
j. Floyd King, formerly a member OF
congress from Louisiana, testified that
the special committee, Of which he was
a member, made report in favor OF an
interoceanic ship railway, and later
report asserting the Monroe doctrine as
one which should be applied against the
construction of canal by a foreign
power. The report seemed to have many
friends when made, but in 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 upholding the Monroe doctrine,
and was hostile to the French company.
Witness had frequent consultations with
Secretary Thompson, whom he wanted
to use force, if necessary, to stop in
vasion by the French government un-
der the Wise concession. Mr.. Ihomp-
son was strongly opposed to the French
company, and was vehement Ill his
expression that the Monroe doctrine
should be asserted against the Panama
Canal company.
Mr.. Geary-What, then. did you think
of the retirement of Secretary Thomp
son 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 Canal company
ao the secretary of the navy become its
agent?
The Witness-It did had not the
slightest premonition that he was going
to resign. | 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
questions as to whether or not, at the time
/ canal matters were under discussion,
there was not good deal of talk about
the use of improper means to influence
legislation. Mr.. King replied to these
questions by saying in effect that there
were plenty Of rumors, but that he
knew of no circumstance of the sort.
The painful 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 mysteriously changed con-
cerning the Panama Canal company.
Mr.. Geary-You had great deal Of
acquaintance with this question. The
proposition is that an attempt was made
by the Hayes administration to enlarge
the Monroe doctrine so as to exclude
foreign corporations from rights on the
isthmus. The application of the Mon
roe doctrine as asked for by Mr.. Hayes
was refused. Now there must have
been talk about this at the time. Was
the result caused by appeals to the in
| telligence of LEGISLATORS or by appeals
to their pockets?
Witness-Before De Lesseps came
here the sentiment was very strongly in
favor of the Monroe doctrine and Amer
lean control. l know of no Improper
means used to change that sentiment
| and cannot recall any circumstances
save one. A lady now dead said to me
In badinage, as ! took 1t, something