The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-08
END OF A LONG SIRUGGLt {
MORGAN'S AMENDMENT Tt
NICARAGUA CANAL BILL.
A REPORT AR2AtGNlNG NiCARs6U'
Its Concession to Another Company than the
Maritime Company to Construct Ca
nal Without support in Law
Justice or Equity.

guStiIc VI IuuHyf
Washington, Dec. THE House today
passed the Anti-ticket Scalping Bill by
a vote of 40 to I01. This action is the
elimination of a ten years struggle on
the part of the railroads tc put an end
to the business of ticket scalping. The
Interstate Commerce Commission tirst
called attention to the subject in Its
report of 1888 and it has been before
Congress ever since, in one form OF
another. During the last session ex
tensive hearings were given both to the
representatives of the railroads and the
scalpers and Mr.. Sherman, of New
York, secured 174 pledges for the meas.
ure. 1t was. however, deemed inadvis-
able to bring the measure forward until
the present session. The debate today
lasted four hours and was spirited upon
both sides.
Mr.. Sherman. of New York, briefly ex-
planned the provisions of the bill, setting
forth that it was very similar TO the one
passed by the House during the last
Congress. The changes were mainly re-
upon
The bill required the carriers subject
TO the Interstate Commerce act to
provide each agent authorized to sell
tickets with a certificate and made nc
unlawful for an officer of such carrier
to supply tickets to any but authorized
agents. 1t made violation of these pro-
visions a misdemeanor and provided
for the redemption of unused or partially
used tickets and also provided penalties
for forging or altering tickets. Mr..
Sherman said this legislation had been
repeatedly recommended by the Inter
State Commerce Commission, that 1t had
the support of newspapers and CONNER
cial holders and that over 1900 peti-
tions in it's favor had been presented to
the House during the present Congress.
The business communities had come TO
look upon the ticket brokerage business
as illegal. The amount Of fraud prac-
ticed. if known. would startle any one
unfamiliar with the facts. Mr.. Sher-
man displayed q great mass OF fraudu-
lent tickets which he said would give a
faint idea of the fraud Dracticed upon
the railroads and the innocent travelling
public.
Several amendments were offered, but
they were all defeated.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE.
No business was transacted by the
Senate today in open session. few
minutes after the Senate convened II
went into executive session. At 2:lo
o'clock business in open session was re-
sumed. The death of Representative
Northway, of Ohio and Love, of Mis-
sissippi, was announced and the Sen
ate adjourned as mark of respect TO
their memories.
MORGAN'S AMENDMENT.
Washington, December 7.-As re.
suit of the meeting of the Senate Com
mittee on the Nicaragua Canal today
Senator Morgan gave notice OF an
amendment to the Nicara guam Canal
Bill authorizing the immediate issuance
with n guarantee by this Government
of five million dollars worth of bonds for
the redemption of all outstanding stock
except that held by the Governments
of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and the
cancelment of all obligations. He sub
mittcd at the same time report upon
the situation with reference to the canal,
dealing exclusively with the fact that
the Government of Nicaragua granted a
concession to construct canal 10 anoth-
er company than the Maritime Canal
Company. He deals with this transaction
IN severe terms. upholding the rights of
the Maritime Company for the pres
ont and for an extension of its conces-
sion for ten years more. The report ar
raions the conduct of the Republic of
Nicaragua as well as that OF the Amerl-
can citizens securing the new concession
course Of Nicaragua to jealousy Of Costa
Rica and that of the c0ncessi0nalres 10
desire 10 ''obstruct great national
policy in selling out TO the Transcon-
tinental Railroad Company for the dc
feat Of a supposed competitor.
at would be well for the reputation
Of those concerned" it says, IN mus
disbonoring Governments for their per-
sonaI advantage and using their powers
to create jealousies between States II II
could appear that their conduct is not
also corrupt"
The committee adduces as Il justlhca-
ti0n Of the new report the seriousness
Of the situation, saying on this point:
"The serious consequences likely to re-
snlt 10 the United States from this un-
precedented and unwarranted action Of
the late Government of Nicaragua and
the evident purpose 10 force our Gov
eminent into payment Of a large sum
os comnensation for the future consent
nf the Republic Of the United States OF
Central America 10 the creation Of n
maritime canal through the san Juan
River and Lake Nicaragua, requires the
committee 10 present the grounds on
which ii insists that this proceeding Is