The record-union., 1897-02-11
Abandons the Measure for the Present
Session of Congress.
The Alabama Senator Bitterly Criti-
cises the British Opposition to the
Canal, and Declares That il the
Next Secretary of State Allows
Himself to be Fed on the AnO-
dynes of Flattery of Great Britain
the People Will Not Support Him.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
Morgan, the champion of the Nicaragua
Canal bill, announced in the Senate to-
day his abandonment of that measure
for the present session of Congress,
and thereupon it was displaced by the
bankruptcy bill. The Senator made
this move after a protraCted contest
covering several weeks, which had dis
closed the fact that obstructive oppo-
sitiOn could not be overcome. He gave
notice that he would renew his advo-
cacy of the bill at an early day Of the
coming extra session.
Mr.. Morgan bitterly criticised the
British opposition to the canal, and ad-
dressing himself directly to Sherman,
declared that if the next Secretary of
State permitted himself to be fed on
the anodynes of flattery of Great Brit
ain the people would not support him.
Morgan asserted also that Sherman
would not succeed in negotiating a
treaty relating to the canal, as the
genius of Talleyrand or Matternich
could not stand the Misunderstanding
Of those republics.
The bankruptcy bill succeeded to the
advantag geous position of unfinished
business" but the debate went over
until tomorrow.
was then taken up late in the day and
passed. 1t led to a lively debate in
which Secretary Morton was sharply
criticised by Senators Vest, Chandler,
Tfllman and others.
I,
the time for complying with the re-
quire7nents of the Act forfeiting rail-
road lands, Mcbride (R) of Oregon ex-
planning that the bill applied to lands
along the Northern Pacific route
Tillman Cd of South Carolina called
up the bill limiting the effect of Fed
eral laws on liquor traffic, so as TO
give each State absolute control Of the
subject.
Platt (R) of Connecticut thought it
was a measure requiring an explana-
ition, and Tillman proceeded to explain
in detail. He said the bill was de-
signed to give each State the right to
control the liquor traffic in its own
way, without Interference from the
Federal judiciary or any other source.
A recent decision of the United States
Supreme Court in the South Carolina
dispensary case had practically an
nulled that part of the Wilson law per
mitting State regulation of the liquor
traffic. The amendments were made
to meet the objections of the various
courts, so as to allow the State to ex-
ercise police control of foreign made
liquor in the States, as well as of
homemade liquors.
Mills opposed the bill as a step back
ward, allowing as it does, said he, in
reference with interstate commerce.
He considered it "a very dangerous prec-
edent.
Vest also opposed it on the same
ground. The bill was, he said, intended
to maintain the South Carolina monop-
oily under the dispensary law.
Il openly confess that to be the OBJ
ject," said Tillman. ''Three-fourths of
our people have expressed their support
of the principle"
The discussion was cut off at 12:50 o.
m, the time fixed for the Senators to
proceed to the House of Representatives
and participate in the count of the cleo
toral vote.
When the Senate recOnvened, the Nj
caragua canal bill came up as regular
order Of business. and Morgan renewed
his advocacy of the measure Morgan
declared that British interference was
continually at work to prevent Ameri-
can control of the canal. He had posi-
tive and detailed information SUPPORT
ing this declaration. 1T is of such a
character" said Morgan, that 1 am
n al n i,,f
to the Senate in executive session. 1t
will disclose that up to this hour British
intervention has been conspiring to pre-
vent the consummation of this canal
project under American control. Unless
all the monhood of the United States
has been taken out of us by contracts to
keep the peace" said he, there would
be serious results from the Abandonment
of the canal bill, to which the Senate
was now invited"
Turning to Mr.. Sherman, who sat
across the aisle, Morgan said: THE
Senator from Ohio will never be able to
execute his plan of a treaty for which
he so hopefully speaks And | said to
him the other day, if he had the genius
of a Matternich and a Tallyrand. he
would be overcome by those little thin
blerigging republics who will stand
ready to conspire with other Govern
ments and to circumvent his plans.
No, the Senator from Ohio in his new
position, Will find his efforts brought to
naught." The incoming President
would have to meet this grave issue,
he added. At the basis of it was the
question of protected American interests
and American citizens.
I'VE are Informed that there is to be
an extra session of Congress- proceed
ed Morgan, "and l give notice that at
the earliest possible day l will offer this
bill again, and Will do what l can to
secure it's passage, and if the glory and
honor of this crowning work of the close
of the century shall fall to the lot of
Republican President, I will thank God
that we have a Republican President
who can go step by step with his fellow
citizens in defense of the power and
glory of this republic. / will now with
draw it
Morgan laid before the Senate a letter
From William l.. Merrick Consul of
Nicaragua at San Francisco, expressing