The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-16
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.

Tho report ~ tho committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce 10 the
house of representatives recommending
the financial aid of the government
In the completion Of the Nicaragua
Canal. has been issued from the gov
ornmcnt printing ofiicc. II II most
able document. and commonds Itself TO
the hearty appreciation OF all friends
of the great enterprise aB n pertinent
and unpreludlced discussion OF the en-
tire subject. It's conclusion. which we
quote. is brief pertinent. and satlsfac.
tory;
The board of engineers have stated
IN their dispositions. before the inter-
state commerce committee, that they
believe the Nicaragua canal In entirely
feasible. ana when completed VIII be
practicable for commercial purposes.
but they dlffcr with the engineers ~
the company as 70 the probable cort
Of the work Az we have already stat
ed. tile advantages "a be derived from
the construction OF this great inter.
oceanic waterway are ~ vast that We
believe the canal should be built. even
though the cost OF construction exceed
the ngurcs Of the board Of engineers.
In our opinion the government should
assist the company In the completion
~ the work. even II II costs over $780,
900. 900: but II. as we believe. IL can he
constructed Tor about tioO.OoO,Oo0, 30
much the better The canal should be
built as u matter Of national need.
The difference Of opinion existing be-
tween the board Of engineers and the
engineers OF the company does not in
any way AFFECT the feasibility or prac-
,icRblllty OF the canal. nor in any way
lessen It's Importance 10 the United
States.
From all the evidence submitted 70
the committee. II is evident that the
canal Is a perfectly feasible project
Under those circumstances we feel JUS
tined in recommt nding that congress
should take immediate action 10 give
such aid 10 the enterprise as may be
necessary 20 obtain the funds which
are requisite 10 complete the work al
ready commenced As We have already
stated. the advantages TO be derived
by the United States by such co-opera-
ton are untold. whereas the risk Is
practically nothing.
II IL the opinion Of the committee
that n commanding sense OF patriotic
duty 90 our whole country demands
that the government OF the United
states give such aid 20 the enterprise
as viii assure It's speedy and economi-
cal construction. II II no longer a
question as to whether the canal viii
be built or not. but as 10 who shall
build Il and who shall control II when
built The feasibility Of the proposed
intcroceanlc waterway has been fully
demonstrated. and It's Importance and
advantages 10 commerce have never
been seriously questioned. Its consum-
nation is inevitable. for Its necessity
Is present and imperative. and when
completed. Il win insure the safety and
prosperity OF the interests and indus
tries Of the American people.
Hon, William II. Dooiittle. OF Taco
ma, Wash. who has always been a
warm advocate OF the canal. has been
n most active and efficient member OF
the subcommittee. 10 which consldora-
ton NJ matters concerning the canal
was referred by the house. His sense
OF the Importance OF the canal to the
country at large and especially to the
future development and prosperity Of
his own. and OF the other states Of the
Pacific coast. has made him continual
ly jealous In advancing the business
OF the subcommittee and eventually in
securing the report by the fun COM
mi,tee OF bill. by which provision
Is made for carrying the recommends
tlon of the report into effect In a man
ner that should be satisfactory to the
promoters Of the enterprise
The select committee of the senate
on the construction OF the Nicaragua
canal, Of which Hon, John T. Morgan
is chairman. has submitted the same
bill, with an equally able and favora-
BILE report, unanimously to the senate.
II is now to be hoped that, In "a
sense Of patriotic duty
to our whole country" the Fifty-fourth
congress win consummate in its sec
ond session what has been so well be-
gun In it's last,