New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-20

DEBATE ON THE BILL CONTINUED IN
THE SENATE.
GOVERNMENT CONTROL GENERALLY FAVORED
THE PRESIDENT TO SEND IN PRE-

GOVERNMENT CONTROL GENERALLY FAVORED
THE PRESIDENT TO SEND IN A PRE-
LrMrNARY REPORT.
Washington. Dec. 1a-The Nicaraugau 'dha' p.'
was considered in the latter part OF the senate
session to-day. and Senators Berry Alien hoa'
cafYery and Morgan discussed It,
Mr. Berry spoke his amendments lie an
nouccd tina, on general principles he was favorable
~ the consru- ten OF a canal across the isthmus
AZ such an enterprise would promote the interests
Of the Southern STATES. but he had Always contehue"
for its construction by the Government oi ''e
United States. It seemed difficult to get away rom
corporation interests. hut he hoped that neo'e '
nn,l vote all these interests would be eliminated
and IN view OF this fact he had considered IL neS.i
ohie IL not Incumbent upon the Senate to make the
pending bin perfect rs possible ana !. ""s -
his end that his amendments had peeh '','ouu0o"
Tie did rot commit himself TO vo;e for the Dill even
~ his amendments were adopted. but would deter
mine that question when vote was reached
Mr. Berry then explained that his amendments
uould eliminate the provisions in the original Dill
fo- the issue OF bonds. and would close the MaIi-
time Company out entirely as stockno'der III 'l'
canal enterprise leaving the United states MICA
ragua and Costa Rica the only stockholders ana
leaving the majority OF the stock In the name OF
the Government. They also prohibited the appoint
mont Of any one Interested In the present Martime
compan, from acting director under the Go'-
ernment's management Of the enterprise
Mr. Allen not opposed to the canal sohe'ne,
no said because he antagcni2ed certain features oil
the hu one Of its most perncious features would
be eliminated by the adoption of the Berry amend
ments namely. the bond feature
Mr. Caffcry. at the request Of MI Turpie VINO
was una voidaby absent, renewed the latiers mo-
ton to postpone the consideration OF the bill until
January 10.
NJ Hoar said he thought the canal should be
but and at once. While Senators did not know
what the canal would cost they knew enough to
know tina, It's construction was necessary Tor the
protection of the commercial relations between the
two coasts of the United States The canal. he in
sisted should be built by the Government The
experience Of the Government with the Union
Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroad should not
be repeated In order TO do justice to the MARI
time Canal Company. In his opinion. the Iresheht
should be authorized TO obtain "A reasonaoie ana
impartial estimate OF the canal company's prop
erty and that company should then be paid The
Clayton Buvcr Treaty should be go, out OF the
way Representatives. of this country had declared
It valid The consent OF England should be OBJ
tanned.
Mt Morgan secuted the idea of pos;poninS con-
s.deration of the bill until Englands consent was
obtained. If England had said the United states
could not build the canal without her consent t lie
canal W"%u nV tb cnncesson Of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica was not forfetabe next Vctooet, rse
Berry amendments ior h ,hsr me me provsons
of the committee He predicted that the United
States would secure at least per cent c dyia f rhs
1,se Ia which tho funds obtained could be put;
In answer to pressing desire for otncal iac ,
and data relative to the Nicaragua Canal, inc
President will send to Congress within gay Oh
two preliminary report from the Canai C1 9i,,
mission This viii not take the place OF the t1,,
report Of tho Commission which will discuss Win
the greatest detail all the physical characteriscs
OF the canal route 50 far as cotermincr, oy , uae
numerous borings and surveys made by he!d parties
Of engineers and will also give the foundation lot
every item OF estimate , It,, ,..o, COM,
Admiral Walker the president of the Canal CON-
mission arrived in Washington to-day; IN ar, hhSwea
70 a summons leaving the bedside of his SICK son
in New-York to devote himself to the preparation
OF this preliminary report