Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-11
AT TIE NATIONAL CAPITOL. District of Columbia Occupies the
 Time of the House. THE NICARAGUA CANAL
HE NICARAGUA
GAN AL
Discussed by Senator Morgan. Advocates It's Building
 as Being Essential.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1O.-Ihe speaker laid before the house several executive com municatione, which were referred, today. Today being District of Columbia day the house then went into committee of the whole on tho bill reported from the com mittee on the District of Columbia, which was pending when congress ad- journed in August last, for the establish ment of a free public and departmental li- brary in the District of Columbia.
 The bill was discussed for several hours . and a few minor amendments were adopted. By vote of 67 to 36 it was then reported to the house with recommendation that 1t be referred 10 the committee on public build ings and grounds. It was so referred.
 A bill was taken up to amend the law with respect to corporations in the District of Columbia so as to authorize them to re- new their existence at tbe expration of terms of twenty years upon approval of the district commissioners by vote of the stockholders. After proiracted discussion the bill was withdrawn.
 joint resolution was agreed to author iz'ng the payment of congressional sala- ries for December on the 20th Of the month.
 The house then, al p. m., adjourned.
 IN THE SENATE.
 Mr. Harris presided over the senate to- day in the absence of the vice. president. Messrs. Carey, Hill and Blackb burn were in their seats today for the first time this ses- sion.
 Mr. Call, democrat, of Florida, offered a resolution reciting that the independence of Cuba was an object of great importance to the United States, and requesting the president 10 open negotiations with Spain for the recognition of the independence of the island and for the guarantee by the United States of the payment of such sum of money as shall be agreed on. On objection it went over.
 Mr. Call also offered a resolution declar ing that the 'further prosecution of the war between China and Japan to the disin- tegration of the ancient government and nationality of China will not be advanta- geous to the peace and civilization of the nations of the world and their progress in the arts; and that the interests of the world require all governments shall unite in ne- gotistng with Japan and China for the termination of the war and the settlement of their differences by arbltrat,ou oD terms just and honorable to both nations, and for such guarantees by the governm meut of China for the protection of lives and prop erty of the citizens and subjects of foreign governments as shall be adequate for this purpose. - Referred to the foreign rela- tions committee.
 The president pro tenn. announced his sig nature to the bill for the dedication of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National park.
 Mr. Morgan called up the Nicaragua canal bill and spoke in its support. A ship canal connecting the Atlantic and Pa cific oceans, he said, was necessary to the commerce of the world, and it could be constructed via the San Juan river at cost which would make it a commercial sue cess. Such a canal, he declared, was necessary 10 the naval and military power of the United States. He contended that United states control of the canal would interfere with no treaties of Nicaragua and Costa Rica with foreign govern ments; that no foreign government had interposed any object on 10 his governments interest in the canal, and that it was due to citizens of the Unlted States who had already ex- pended money on the canal, that the fran chise and contiol should not be allowed to pass under foreign influence.
 After enumerating numerous other social and political reasons why ihe United States should guarantee tf e bonds of lhe Maritime Canal company, he described the geograph ical features of the country and the en- gineering facility with which the canal could be constructed.
 Mr. Morgan asserted that the Nicaragua canal would be complimentary to the Suez canal and complete water way around the world, and predicted that it's construction and control by the United States would re- dound to the commercial and naval advan- taee of the country as the Suez canal had done for Great Britain.
 Turning to the financial side of the ques
 
 Menocal estimated the entire cost of the canal at S65, ,0S4 176, while special board of experts appointed by the Maritime Canal company 10 examine and revise the est- mates fixed the figures at SS7 ,799, ,570. It was generally agreed, he sad, that at the present time, owing 10 the lessened cost of machinery, labor and living, the outside cost of building the canal would not exceed S70, ,0C0 ,000. As to whether the S70, ,0O0, GOO needed 10 guarantee the bonds of the com pany should be raised by popular subscrip- tion or by direct appropriation from the treasury, that was matter of detail into which he did not propose to enter at this time. As to the objection made that the United States should not enter into part nership with private corporation, Mr. Morgan said that if Great Brilain could own stock in the Suez canal he did not see why the United States could not ow D stock in the Nicaragua canal. He was democrat of democrats, he de- clared, and it was his beliefthat the United States could do anything foreign govern ments could do. Government ownership or partnership in the canal would not bind the United States to send troops 10 the canal, further than it had already done to protects doctor in Panama in whom it was interested. Government ownership would be the only means of protecting the in- terest of United States citizens, except by force; and in case of war no treaty or own ershp would prevent the beligerents from attempting to close the canal to each other while not interfering with it's use by neutral nations.
 In conclusion, he declared that the United States must act now or forever abandon the canal, and he did not think the American people were willing to aban- don it.
 MT. Morgan held the attention of the senate and galleries until 'cock, when he was followed by Mir. Mitchell, republi Acan, of Oregon, who briefly indorsed the Rmarks of MT. Morgan and favored the pal as being in the interest of the Pacific
 es. His only doubt. he says, was as to
 ktent of interest and control which
 Gned States should manifest.
 repuh1n of Oregon, se-
 - to motion to
 After a'short
 te at 4:30 p. ID.