New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-13
IN AND OUT OF CONGRESS-.
A HEARING ON THE NICARAGUA CANAL
BILL.
PROSPECTS OF PASSING THE MEASURE AT THIS
sEssION-DUTIEs ON THE MAPIEsoN OPERA
Observation-Disclosures TREATIES
TO BE RECALLED For
AMENDMENT.

AMENDMENT.
Washington Jan f2-The House Committee on
| Rules to-day gave audience to number of Rep
resentatves and Senator'S principally from the
| Pacific Slope who are interested In the Nicaragua
Canal bill Among those present were Representa-
tives Hermann and Ellis. OF oregon; Doolittle, OF
| Washington Loud Bowers, Barham and Hiloorn
/ of California; Joy. Of Missouri; Mahon. OF Pennsy-
vania and Senators Mcbride and Perkins. OF Oregon
and California respectively. Mr.. Doolittle. who is
a member of the House Commerce committee.
which framed the measure. read 1t at length. and
explained its various sections He was interrupted
from time 10 time by the members OF the Rules
Committee, who questioned him closely respecting
the practlcabty Of the scheme, the engineering
difficulties be encountered. the cost or the water
way and the effect Of the Governments guarantee OF
the bonds Some doubt expressed as to the
feasibility Of the canal Mr.. Doolittle explained 70
committee how thoroughly the engineer officers
of the Maritime Canal Company had surveyed the
route. and how fully their work was supplemented
by that OF the special engineer commission which
went 10 Nicaragua for the same purpose In July.
1885, He showed that the United States Engineer
. Commission satisfied that the canal could be
built the only difference Of opinion between
them and the Maritime Company 70 the sum
necessary TO complete It. Speaker Reed explained
at one point in the proceedings that he had always
been satisfied OF the practicabty Of the enterprise
that he partial TO any legislation that would
benefit the Pacific Slope in which he always
interested and that he did doubt its great bene
At 20 the people Of both the Atlantic and Pacific
slopes But he desired more specific informa ton
respecting the atmospheric and physical conditions
20 be encountered. and inquired particularly as to
the possibility Of cloudburss and earthquakes. To
these queries Mr.. Dooiltte replied quoting from the
report made by the engineer officers as well a. from
the reports " the Maritime Company. Mi Her
mann, speaking a. citizen Of the Pacific Slope,
pm raion and saIt that as beneaciai res,iIts
b. - z
+ He explained how greatly commerce had been
benefited by the opening Of the Suez Canal. and ne
smoke at length Of the advantages resulting from
the Sault Ste. Marie Canal. which had opened =
sparsely settled country. given an enormous i'm
petus to the ron-ore industry and resulted in the
upbulding Of commerce twice as large a. that or
the Suez Canal The country developed by this
canal was an empire in extent. which could not
have reached its state Of perfection without
the cheap rates afforded ~ me CinaI., ne a.
visibility Of "A Government guarantee Of the bonds
raised By Mr.. McAlillin OF Tennessee not IN any
hostile spirit but Tor the purpose OF se. uI'hS II n
formation on that point. II was suggested ny the
members of the Rules Committee that the bill
should be so amended as to require iuT tner
to determine the feasibility of the canal ana It's cost
before the Government should be committed 10 me
measure 70 up for discussion II will \ Is sad
pa sISpor r Of ali The Repnblcan members except
a score so. ard about sixty Of the Democrats
An interesting question involving the ownership
OF operatic costumes and scenery is before the
Treasury Department arising out OF the recent col
lapse OF Colonel Maplesons opera company in bos-
ton Some five months ago this company came 70
the United States. bringing he necessary costumes
and scenery for elaborate operate performances
These inportations were admitted free OF duty
under the custom laws which permit such entry
on condition Of fling a bond for the expectation of
the articles after six months use. The opera com
pany having become involved IN hnanclaI dlll,cui-
ties in Boston. the costumes and scenery nave neen
attached for debt and ordered sold The Depart
ment is now asked by the oondSnen 10 interfere .l
for their protection. but 1t does not see IL way
clear TO step in between the opera company ana us
creditors Should the costumes and scenery be
e~nr,ent for the payment OF the duties at the ex-
piration OF the six months Other complcations as
10 the rights Of individuals 10 certain costumes
have also arisen further 10 confuse the matter.
When Senator Sherman. few minutes after the
Senate convened. moved executive session it was
enormously supposed that the general treaty OF ar
blt-otion between this country and Great Britain
was 10 be taken up \ message from Secretary
Oney was read asking that change be made III
the text of the extraditon treaties with the orange
Free state and the Argentine Republic ratified by
the Senate yesterday There Is cause IN seVri.ls
treaties which forbds the eXIradition OF citizens 81
the country from which the eStradtion l. asked.
,sterdav and the Secretary OF State called atten-
ton TO the omission. 4 motion 10 reconsider me
vote by which the treaties We're rallned WIS Hi1oe'
and the matter went over until tomorrow.
Commissioner-Genera Stump IS Informed by
BARON Fava the italian Minister here, that the
Italian Government has fined TWO sub-agents 80
lire each and sentenced hem 10 one month IN lail
for favoring clandestine emigration TO the United
States The Italian Government has Instituted a
lice,ee system for emigration ticket agents. and
sch mas TO give bond I'm 5000 FOR the faithful per-
Torrance OF his duty. These reforms IN The mater
OF selling tickets 10 emigrlnts OF the undesirable
| or nrohibited class are the result OF negotiations
v-+b ne Italian emigration authorities b. Mr..
stump on his recent visit 10 italy
The Secretary Of State to-day transmitted TO the
Senate the final ascertainment OF the electoral
votes for President and VcePresident from the
/ states Of New-YOrk, New-Hampshire' Nevada ana
/ Utah
MR.. FRANCIS TO BE CONFIRMED.