The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-12-22


I.lon Of the Nicaraguan Canal occapied
the attention of the body during the
greater part of the afternoon. As soon
as the routine morning business had
been disposed of, Mr.. Vest, Democrat,
of Missouri, called up his resolution,
declaring it to be unconstitutional for
this government to acquire forei gn ter
ritory, except for coaling stations or
| some like purpose, unless its intention
! was to confer statehood upon the ter
ritory and citizenship upon its inhabi-
tants. Mr.. Platt, Republican, of Con-
necticut in expressing the hope that
| Mr. Vest would not ask for immediate
action upon his resolution, said he de.
sired 10 offer some remarks upon it,
but was not prepared to do SO. He
did not. he said acquiesce III the law as
stated by the Missouri Senator. He
believed that the power to acquire ter
ritory wes inherent in the nation and
was not subject to limitation. Mr..
! Morgan opened the debate on the canal
bill with three hour appeal for action
at this session. The whole country,
he said, would be disappointed if Con-
gress did not act. He was willing to
take any measure which would result
in the building of the canal. A ques-
ton was raised as to the language of
! the bill guaranteeing the neutrality OF
the canal in case the United States
were at war with a country. Mr.. Nor
gan said that the language Of the bill
specifically expected such a case. Mr..
Hoar suggested that the clause relat-
ing to the neutrality of the canal
should be amended go as to read: 'Ex-
cept as to nations at war with the
United States" Mr.. Morgan said he
would accept the amendment No
Senator should vote against the bill on
this account During the day Mr.
Hoar, of Massachusetts,, and Mr.. Hale,
of Maine, presented resolutions of cit
liens of their States demonstrating
against the extension Of American SOW
ereignty over the Philippine Islands
and against the acquisition of foreign
territory without the consent of the
people of such territory. The resolu
tions were referred to the committee
on foreign relations. Mr. Pettigrew
introduced a bill authorizing A. A.
Bartlett to raise the battleship Maine
and transport it to the United States.
The Senate, at sic p. M, adjourned.
SIXTH DAY.-Th session of the Sen
ate was largely consumed in discussion
OF the Nicaragua Canal bill. MIR. Tur-
pie made the principal speech in oppo-
sition to the bill, attacking it on the
ground that it is in the interest of the
Maritime Company. He moved post
| Df fha ottar until affnr tina
holidays. Mr. Morgan defended the
bill and the Maritime Company, and
opposed postponement Mr.. Berry
gave notice of an amendment he will
offer to the bill providing for the direct
appropriation of money for the con-
struction OF the canal and limiting the
cost to $115, QUO, 900. The amendment
provides for the construction of the
canal by the Maritime Canal Company
and gives the government lien upon
the property to be foreclosed upon cir
cumstances fully enumerated. Mr..
Rawlings also gave notice of an amend
ment to the Nicaragua bill, providing
that the act should not 60 into effect
until the United States should secure
by treaty the right to fortify and gar
rison the canal, to send armed vessels
and munitions of war through it in
time of war and to close it against
any other nation with whom
the United States may be at waA
Previous to the proceedings upon the
canal bill, Mr.. Morrill, made an ad-
dress in support Of the bill author
izing the purchase of a site for a
Supreme Court building, and this
and several other bills were passed.
Among them was one for the relief of
homestead settlers in Florida, who
were driven from their homes by the
storm of 1896. The bill reviving the
grade of lieutenant general was reach
elk on the calender, but was passed
over at the request of Mr.. Cockrell.
The Senate at o'clock went into exec
utive session and at 5:15 adjourned.
SEVENTH DAY. The Nicaragua Ca
nal bill held its place as the principa!
subject before the Senate, the pending
question being on Mr.. Iurpie's mo-
ton to postpone until January 10.
Speeches were made by Messrs. Har-
ris, Money, Stewart and Morgan. Mr.
Harris spoke upon the general features
of the bill. Mr.. Bacon gave Office OF
an ameuuneut 10 Tue Dlli plOFiuiu .
that work should not be begun on the
canal under the bill until the govern
ment of Nicaragua should consent to O
modification OF the treaty granting
title to the United States in in perpe-
tuity to the canal right of way, and
also eliminating articles SO and 81 OF
the concession from that document.
Mr.. Stewart advocated the bill as a
most important step in the progress OF
the commerce of the world, and urged
the Senators to accept it as it stands.
The bill regarding the registry of for
eign- built vessels wrecked on Ameri-
can coasts. was also discussed, but was
not disposed of. During the early
part of the session, Mr.. Vest called at
tention to private pension bills and en-.
tered protest against their passage
! without due consideration, as he said
the Senate was falling into the habit
of doing. The Senate adjourned at
5:25 p. IN.
EIGHTH DAY.-The urgent deficiency
appropriation bill, making provision
for the army and navy for the next six
months. displaced the Nicaragua Canal
bill in the Senate. The deficiency bill
\ MOE poesa5 altar epirited discussion