The herald., 1897-01-20
Proceedings IN
SENATE and House
Debate Begun on the Canal
1URP|E SPEAKS IN OPPOSITION
And Promises More Of It for
Today
PACIFIC RAILROAD DEBTS
Should Be Collected Before More Bonds
Are Guaranteed
The Scheme Characterized as an OutcaEs
Among Enterprises
The House Devotes the Whole Day "a
Consideration of Private Pension
Claims-Work in Committee.
Session Notes.
PACIFIC RAILROAD DEBTS
Should Be Collected Before More Bonds
Are Guaranteed
The Scheme Characterized as an OuicaEs
Among Enterprises
Associated Press Special Wire

sion of the senate today was without in
cident Senator Turpie spoke against
the Nicaragua canal bill, and the read
ing of the legislative appropriation bill
was completed with the exception of Sec
tions making provision for the congress
sional library, which were passed over
temporarily in the absence of the sem
ators interested In the subject.
Senator Hale of Maine called up the
bill providing for the organization of q
naval battalion in the District of Co
lumbia The bill passed
The bill passed for a public building
at Altoona, Pa, to cost $125,000 for the
incorporation of the American instruct
ors of the deaf
At o'clock the Nicaragua canal bill
was taken up. Senator Turpie of In
diana addressed the senate in opposi-
tion to the bill.
Turpie said the history of the conces-
sions and attempts to construct the canal
were many; all such attempts had failed.
There was nothing extraordinary In this
bill which would insure the success OF
the project. The enormous profits to
be gained from the successful operation
of the canal had been spoken of. Not
financier in any part of the world would
consider the design. This, he said, was
an outcast, beggar among enterprises.
No private money would be invested II,
1t, although 1t has been widely advertised
the world over. The stocks and bonds
of the construction company, If the ap-
preparation were made, would have no
cfnak 0f the
Maritime Nicaragua Canal company.
depending for value upon the COM
pletion OF the project, would be worth
less. The funds for the Panama canal
scheme of De I.esseps were raised BY
levy upon the plain people of France.
Their credulity was followed by failure.
This was the fourth American concee-
sion, but 1t was peculiar in one thing.
Neither De Witt Clinton, Vanderbilt
nor Kelly had asked government aid.
This was the first time an insolvent COM
pany has asked congress for $100, 900
to carry on a project which cannot be
completed They wanted the money on
general principles. The projectors had
asked for an act of incorporation from
congress. They had represented that
there WOulQ De uO ultllCuIly Ill olSROoiAk
of bonds. London and Paris were thirst
ing for them. Upon that understanding
the company was Incorporated. The gov
ernment was to be in 10 wise RESPONSE
BILE. This, Turpie said, acted as an es-
toppel of the demand for an approprta-
tion now, or there was no virtue in the
English language. From Its inception
the project was discredited. The three
signatory powers to the concession dis
tinctly disclaimed responsibility, either
directly or by guarantee.
He was not in favor of making rein1-
bursement for money spent when 1t was
shown that four times the necessary
amount had been sunk. 1t was rob-
berry He questioned the right OF the
government to guarantee the note OF q
citizen of the United States as waS
sought to be done now. The coustitu-
ton did not authorize such action.
Only onoe have we guaranteed the
note of citizens, in the case of the Pa
cific railway companies, who owe W
s1OO, 900 900. Would it not be we'll, he
asked. to have waited until we received
that before guaranteeing any other such
bonds? There was great similarity be-
tween the two projects and he feared
the outcome would be the same, loss
to the government. The canal. II built,
should be built by authority of congress
by the secretary of war. III 1T Is ever
constructed a fIiIlltdTy loICc WAH {iaVO
to be stationed there to protect It from
public enemies and private malice. It
will be a military and strategic point.
How could this be reconciled with pri-
vate ownership? OF the eleven direct
ors provided for seven would be directly
interested in the canal while the other
four might be impartial.
Before closing Mr., Turpie stated that
he had discovered that the government
had not guaranteed the bonds OF the
Pacific Railway company. The govern
ment had issued it's own bonds and taken
those of the company in exchange. Mr..
Turpie announced that he would con-
tinue upon the subject of the canal to-
morrow.
During the afternoon Mr. Gordon Of
Georgia, Democrat, annoupced that 0w-
ing to the absence of several senators,
the eulogies on ex-Speaker Crisp would
be postponed from Thursday to Monday
next at 8 o'clock.
On motion of Mr.. Cullom of Illinois.
Republican. the legislative. executive
and judicial appropriation bill was taken
up. The reading of the bill with the
exception of the provisions in relationsto
the congressional library, which were
passed over temporarily, was completfd
and committee amendments acted upon-
Mr.. Cullom said he would t&kt the
bin up at an early hour tomorrow
Messrs. Quay. Hale and Biackbuyn
uyara onnoin tod 4 n confAraaa the army