Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-18
NICARAGUA CANAL.
CHANCES OF THE BILL m ITS FAVOR
GROWING SLIM.
Coosrssssnan Wiss Amer One Of Those In
eosne-Tax Special Asencies for
Constituent.

Consotueuts
WASHINGTON. d. c.. January H.
(sreciai-)-The friends Of the Nicaragua
canal bill begin to feel. IA the session OF
Congress Is slipping away. that tbs
chances for the passage OF the measure
are growing slim. 1t IL matter OF
interest to number OF people In Vir-
gina, for the reason that they have SUBJ
scribed to the stock Of the company
having the concessions, and which Is en-
deavoring to have the government as
srme responsibility for the enterprise.
The Senate and House bills are some
what different. and unless these differ
ences can be quickly harmonized 1t will
cause trouble for the bill, no matter in
which branch of Congress it may be first
passed. The Senate bill Is regarded as
a more favorable measure to the COM
pany than the House measure. and that
is said to be a motive for the Interested
parties to insist vehemently that the
Senate shall press that bill to con-
clrs!on.
Representative Wise is chairman OF
the committee OF the House from which
the Nicaragua bill was reported. He has
studied very carefully all the plans that
have been submitted. has listened
earnestly to the persons who have APP
poared before the committee, and has
made II his special duty to obtain all
the practical information possible on so
important a subject, not only to COM
merce, but to the government OF the
United States, In view Of the fact that
the government has been asked to
shoulder so much of the responsibility.
1t is said that some of the stock
holders of the canal company do not
like the House bill. They claim they
cannot make anything unless they are
more literally dealt with, but Repre-
sentative Wise is OF the opinion that
the House bill goes as far as the gov
ernment should In venture Of this sort,
and he talks as II he thought the House
bill stands a much better show OF passing
than the measure now pending before the
Senate. The latter at one time appeared
to have clear sailing In the Senate, but
since the powerful speech OF Senator
Turple against 1t the friends OF the enter
prise fear that delays will occur which
may prevent any action this session by
the upper branch Of Congress. Several
senator's who were enthusiastically in
favor of the project a month ago are
now said to be wavering. They want
longer time to investigate, and they as
sert that more safeguards should be in
corporated, so that the government may
be better protected.
The Paciic-slope people are very ar
dent supporters OF the canal project.
They have worked up a general sentl-
ment out that way, and the masses be-
lieve IL the canal is constructed 1t will
benefit the trade of their section more
than anything attempted during the
present century.
MARION POSTMASTERSHIP.
No sooner had Congressman Marshall
returned to the city than he went right
10 work trying to have a change made
In the postmastershlp at Marion. This
case has been hanging fire many months,
but Mr. Marshalrs efforts were rewarded
to-day, when the President nominated
his friend, W. II. Wright. Mr.. Marshall
has the assurance of Senator's Daniel and
Hunton that there will be no opposition
to Mr.. Wrghts speedy confirmation.
Congressman George Wise did not
know until this morning that there Is
provision in The income-tax act which au-
Revenue to appoint ten special agents TO
superintend the collection OF the tax.
These agents are to receive $500 per
year. with travelling expenses. Mr. Wise
lost no time in starting for the Treasury
Department. for he has several constitu-
ents who would Ike to be selected for
such a pleasant position. When he ar
rived at the department he found Com
missioner Millers room crowded with
congressman, who were there on similar
missions. II is feared that Mr.. Wise
made his start for one OF the ten places
too late. Other congressman have been
watching these places night and day ever
since the act was contemplated. Mr.
Wise has considerable influence at the
Treasury however. and he may have a
pole sufficiently long to knock down one
OF the ten places after all
Congressman Meredith made a round OF
the departments this morning in the in
tcrest OF his constituents. While at the
Navy Department he had a satisfactory
interview with Secretary Herbert In be-
half OF Virginia lady who desires and
also deserves a promotion in the clerical
force
Mr.. Frank Hume and the friends OF
the memorial bridge proposed to be
erected across the Potomac river to Ar
llngton are to have a hearing before
Representative Wlse's committee to-mor-
row. Mr.. Hume says 100000 will be suf
iicient TO commence the work, and he
understands that a majority OF the House
is favorably disposed TO take the pre-
llminary steps In favor Of the PROPOSE
ton.
CRIsP's CONDITION SERIOUS.
Speaker Crlsp's friends are very anx-
lous about his physical condition. At the
Capitol to-day II is said by those close
to the Speaker that he is suffering from
neuralgia of the muscles OF the heart.
The fact has been kept from him for
some time past in the hope that the
trouble might yield to treatment. Instead
Of improving. Il has been aggravated by
other complications brought on by a
severe cold. This morning his physician
advised him to leave Washington imme-
diately and seek absolute rest from all
active mental and physical labor.
Miss Nettie Martin. OF Chatham, Is
here visiting her brother. Colonel Mar
tin, and she is the recipient of many
courtesies in social circles.
United States Marshal George w. Levi
Of the Western District. Is here TO confer
with the accounting officers Of the de-
partment relative to his accounts.
Representative Turner will endeavor to
have passed through the House to-mor.
row night the pension bill for the relief
Of Mrs. Williams, the widow of Surgeon
Augustus Williams. Of Warren county
Va. DR.. Williams served all through the
Seminole war; and came to Washington
to reside. He resigned his commission
and 1t was accepted The opposition to
the claim is based on the ruling OF the
PensionOfiice that only widows OF hon.
orably- discharged soldiers are entitled tc
pensions. Mr.. Turner has favorable re.
port from the Pension Committee, and
expects to pass the bill. IL gives Mrs
Williams t,veiva dollars Nor month