Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-04
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.

regarded IL as necessary before our coun-
try began TO dream OF conquests on the
other side OF the world Much more DO
we consider It a necessity now since the
President has arranged. az far as he can,
for us to acquire the Philippines. Never
theless we do not feel called upon TO sup
port any and all schemes that canal specu-
lators and lobbyists may bring to the at
tention OF Congress.
If this country is to give its money or
credit in furtherance OF a water way
across the continent, let plan be de-
vised that is so honest just and practi-
cal as TO commend itself to all right think
ing men.
/ The burden of cost will fall upon the
public generally, and the public will be
willing to bear 1t, If the enterprise is un-
dertaken for the benefit of the country,
not for the benefit Of lobbyists. contrac-
tors, and ofilce-holders. The revelations
of fraud and collision made upon the trial
OF Captain Carter, Of tho United States
Engineer Corps, at Savannah have pro-
duced most painful impression. If we
cannot have our government work at
tended to better than the Savannah river
Improvement was attended to, we would
better drop the Nicaragua canal project
altogether.
First, Congress ought to be convinced
that such concessions as we need are OBJ
tainabe from Nicaragua and Costa Rica,
Next IT ought to determine whether the
work would better be done by company
or by the government itself. We know
that there is a company claiming to have
valuable franchise there; but they cannot
turn n wheel unless Congress says yea
They may bluff and badger as much as
they please. but our government holds the
key of the canal situation. Moreover,
the canal could never be constructed with
out the monetary support of our govern
ment.
1t is stated that the Pacific railroads
are very hostile TO Congresses lending its
help to the canal scheme. And SO they may
be but jealous and powerful as they are,
they cannot defeat the project If the
proper sort of bill is brought forward by
the administration. The railroad lobby will
be dangerous only in the event that tho
public is suspicious Of the measure pro-
posed by the administration.
1t is also rumored that the Panama
Canal Company has combined with the
Pacific railroad companies to battle any
attempt that may be made to get through
a canal bill; further, that the Panama
Canal Company wish us 10 buy them out,
and that they ask s1So.oOO,OOO for their
holdings!
Doubtless we shall hear much OF that
sort Of talk before the canal question is
disposed Of, but we cannot believe it viii
have any great influence upon Congress.
With bill drawn in the interests of this
country, and not in the interest of stock
jobbers and contractors. there will be
such support from public opinion Con-
gress will not dare to refuse the appro-
priation.
We have spoken of our "conquests" in
the Philippines as if they were already
clinched. We do not forget. however,
That the senate mas yet 10 act upon inc
treaty of Paris; nor have we yet lost all
hope that the treaty will be rejected in so
far as 1t relates to the Philippines but
in any event we shall have. hereafter,
trade relations with the East that we
have never had before, and wherever our
merchantmen go in that quarter Of the
globe they will have to be followed by
our cruisers. And so, we think there is
now greater necessity than ever before
for the Nicaragua canal; but there is no
necessity for undue haste or for any
thing but a fair and square deal. Sharpers
and spoilsmen are on the lookout 10 fill
their pockets. The darling opportunity
for them comes when the public mind is
preoccupied with patriotic thoughts.