The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-08

senate amendments to the milit AIRY acad-
emy appropriation bill. and the chair ap-
pointed Messrs. Brice, Call and Teller
conferees on the part of the senate.
Mr.. Berry reported an amendment TO
the house bill to permit the use of tho
right of way through public lands for
tram roads. canals and reservoirs.
Mr.. Lodge, republican, Massachusetts,
moved the senate proceed to the consid-
Grafton of his resolution calling on the
secretary of the navy for information as
to the United States ships that had been
sent to the Hawaiian islands. It was car
ried. 81 TO Il.
Mr.. PETER then submitted his remarks
on the service pension bill.
Mr.. Mitchell addressed the senate on
the Nicaraguan bill. lilo said: ''Since
the early history of the government, in
tho absence of other arguments, the un-
constitutionalty of n measure has been
the shibboleth invoked by those who de-
sire its defect. SO far from the pending
bill being proposition to guarantee the
payment of the bond of private corpora
tion, as suggested by Senator Turpie,
and thus promote mere private and
personal end, it is proposition to
guarantee the bonds of great public
corporation intended to advance great
notional and international interests.
Seventy per cent. of the stock will be
held by the United States, the balance by
Nicaragua, Costa Rca and tho Maritime
Canal company.
"Ihe constitutional question presented
is whether the government In tho ample
plentitude of its power has the constitu-
tional capacity to do that which all must
concede, which tends entirely and in un-
measurable degree to promote commerce,
which is included in the power TO regulate
commerce, not only with foreign nations,
but among tho several states, and which
tends, moreover, as will the construction
of the Nicaragua canal. to add incom-
parably to our national provision for COM
mon defense and tho promotion of tho
general welfare.
"In the face of these grand achieve
ments, which have received the endorse
ment of the generations past and present.
must we bo told there is no constitutional
power in congress to aid in the construc-
ton of great national and international,
inter-oceanic waterways, connecting two
great oceans, bringing in close business,
social and commercial relations tho two
sides of tho continent, which will do more
to promote the general wolfaro in a COM
mercial, naval and social sense, than any
other one project which ever received the
sanction of the congress of the United
| States.
"Will it be said that thero is no consti-
| tutional power in congress to do this? Tho
| distinguished senator, while considering
there is no inhibition in the constitution
against it, insists very properly, the
| material question should be: Is there
/ ~, -. all
mtting or authorizing it, And then, as
Stunning there Is not. no trumphantly de-
clares tho silence of the Constitution is
as obligatory as it's utterances. The con-
stitution is not silent upon the subject of
| the regulation of commerce with foreign
nations and among the several states,
nor is it silent upon the general
subject of a provision of the COM
mon defense and tho promotion
of tho general welfare. Tho constitution
was silent as TO tho right to purchase
Florida from Spain, Louisiana from
| France, and an empire each from Mexico
and Russia; but not being silent upon tho
great fundamental questions OF common
defense, the general warfare and regula-
ton OF commerce, in which are included
| and comprehendod all those necessary in
cidental powers, and in tho absence of
| which our government would be feebled,
hobbling, a dependent confcdcracy in
stead of n grand, independent, progressive
nation.
"Of all the sections of the country which
are to be immensely beniiited by this
canal, those bordering on the Pacific
ocean will be benifited most. California,
Oregon and Washington, while prolific IN
a great variety of agricultural, mineral.
timber, commercial and other products,
are notably wheat growing states. The
principal market being Liverpool, necessi-
tates tho transportation around Cape
Horn, n distance of about 1f,0UJ miles.
Tho canal will shorten this route nearly
one half. Infinitely greater Will be tho
advantage to the wool growers of tho
Pacific coast who find their principal
market at New York, Philadelphia and
Boston,"
Mitchell concluded with an earnest APP
peal for favorable action on the bill. At
the conclusion OF Mtchelfs address the
chair laid before the senate n letter of the
secretary of state saying j. W. Foster, in
assisting China in her peace negotiations
with Japan, sustains no official or other
relations to the United States.
4 resolution dcploring tho death of T..
:. Post of Illinois and providing for tho
| appointment OF committee 10 altehu tue
funeral, was adopted. Tho chair ap-
pointed as such committee Mcssrs
Palmer. Cullom, Mitchell. Gallinger aud
Allen, and, as a further mark of respect,
the senate adjourned.
House.
WA,HISGroS, Jan. Tho desk OF the
late Representative Post of Illinois was
covered with crepe, on which rested