Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-11
THE SGD CONGRESS.
SENATOR MORGAN ON THE PRO-
POSED NICARAGUA CANAL.
Now or Never, lie Says, Il Uncle Sans
Opportunit, District OF Column
bia Matters.

the Senate to-day In the absence OF the
Vice-President. Senator's Carey. Hill, and
Blackburn were in their seats for the
first time this session.
Mr.. Call Oemocrap, Florida, offered a
resolution reciting that the independence
of Cuba was an object of great impor-
lance to the United States. and request
ing the President to open negotiations
with Spain for the recognition of the
guarantee by the United States of the
payment for such n sum Of money as
shall be agreed on. On objection, 1t
went over.
Mr.. Call also offered resolution de-
claring that the further prosecution OF
the war between China and Japan. TO
the disintegration OF the ancient govern
ment and nationality of China, will not
be advantageous TO the peace and civili-
zation OF the nations of the world, and
their progress in the arts; and that the
interests OF the world require that all
governments shall unite in negotiating
with Japan for the termination of hostili-
ties and q settlement by arbitration on
and for such guarantees by the Govern
ment of China for the protection of the
lives and property OF citizens and sub
jects Of foreign governments as shall
be adequate for this purpose" Referred
to the Foreign Relations Committee.
The President pro TEN announced his
signature to the bill for the dedication
of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga
national park.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
Mr.. Morgan called up the Nicaragua
canal bill, and spoke in its support. a
ship canal connecting the Atlantic and
Pacific 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 CONNER
cial success. Such a canal. he declared,
was necessary TO the naval and military
power of the United States. He contend
ed that United States control of the canal
would interfere with no treaties Of Mic
aragua and Costa Rica with foreign gov
ernments; that no foreign government
had interposed any objection TO this gov
crnments interest in the canal. and that
IL was due 10 the citizens OF the United
States who had already expended money
on the canal that the franchise and con-
troll shonld not be allowed TO pass under
foreign influence
After enumerating numerous other So
cial and political reasons why the United
States should guarantee the bonds Of the
Maritime Canal Company. he described
the geographical features Of the country
and the engineering facility with which
| the canal could be constructed
Mr.. Morgan asserted that the Nicarap7Ia
| canal would be Complementary 10 the
| Suez canal. and complete n waterway
| around the word anu predicted that its
construction and control by the United
| States would rebound to the commercial
| and naval advantage Of the country. as
| the Suez canal had done to that of Great
| Britain.
Turning to the financial side OF the
! question. Mr.. Morgan said that Chief En-
! gineer Menocal estimated the entire cost
of the canal at 265. 0S4. 176, while a special
| board Of exports. appointed by the Mari
! time Canal Company to examine and re-
! wise the estimate, fixed the figures at
! $sI799,ji0. 1t was generally agreed, nc
| said that at the present time, owing to
the lessened cost Of machinery, labor.
! and living. the outside cost of building
the canal would not exceed $7OOOOOO0.
GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE.
As TO whether the s7O,O00OOO needed 10
| guarantee the bonds OF the company
| should be raised by popular subscription
! or by direct appropriation from the Urea
| sury. that was a matter Of detail into
! which h did not propose to enter at this
time. AS TO the objection made that the
| United States should not er ter into part
| nership with n private corporation, Mr..
! Morgan said that If Great Britain could
| own stock in the Suez canal, he did not
see why the United States could not own
stock in the Nicaragua canal.
| He was a Democrat Of Democrats he
| declared. and 1t was his belief that the
| United States could do anything a for
| eiGn government could do. Government
| ownership or partnership In the canal
would not bind the United States 10 send
troops TO the canal, further than it had
| already doe to protect a railroad in
Panama in which 1t was interested.
Government ownership would be the only
means Of protecting the interests OF
| United States citizens except by force.
| and in case of wa 10 treaty or ownership
would prevent the belligerents from at
| tempting to close the canals 10 each other
| while not interfering with its 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 L
| abandon It.
Mr.. Morgan held the attention Of the
! Senate and galleries until 4 o'clock, when
he was followed by Mr. Mitchell Ore
| publican), of Oregon, who briefly endorses
| the remarks Of Mr.. Morgan and favored
tn canal as being In the interest Of the
| Pacific States. His only doubt. he said
| was as to tie extent Of interest and con-
troll which the United States should mani
fest.
Mr.. Dolph Or publican). Of Oregon. Sc
cured the floor. but yielded 10 motion
TO go into executive session. After
short executive session. the Senate, at i:50
adjourned until tomorrow.
House of Representatives.
The Speaker laid before the House seve
raj executive communications, which wer
referred. To-day being District OF co
lumbia day, the House then went int
Committee of the Whole on the bill re
ported from the Committee on the DIS
trict Of Columbia. and which was penang
when Congress adjourned in August last
for the establishment of "A free publ
and departmental library in the Distric
of Columbia.
The bin was discussed for several hours
and few minor amendments adopted. i.
vote of 81 to 36, it was then reported L
the House with "a recommendation tina
II be referred to the Committee on Publ
Buildings and Grounds. 1t was so re
ferred.
The bill was then taken up TO amen'
the law with respect to corporations II
the District of Columbia, so as TO au
thorize them TO renew their existence a
the expiration Of terms Of twenty years
upon approval of the District commits
sioners, by a vote OF the stockholders
After protracted discussion the bill wa
withdrawn.
A Joint resolution was agreed TO au
thorizing the payment OF the congress
sional salaries for December on the 2Otl
Of the month. The House, then, at 4oI
adjourned