Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-20

other senator's from going on what Proc
tor had called "iunketing trip" but his
objection was based upon the belief that
10 Cuba would be in bad taste anu pro-
ductive of evil. We would soon have 90, :
go men in Cuba policing the island. Fur
inermore we mad commission now a:
Havana. To send Senate committee
there now would be accepted as a med
dlesome act and Ii was one which the
committee on the ground would doubtless
resent.
The Senate then took up the Nicaragua
canal bill and Berry. Ark. spoke upon his
amendments to the measure, He an
nounced that on general principles he
was favorable to the construction Of "a
canal across the isthmus as such an en-
terprlse would promote the interests of
the Southern states but he had always
contended for its construction by the
United States government. He hoped be-
fore the final vote all corporation inter-
ests would be eliminated He did not
commit himself to vote for the bill even
II his amendments were adopted, but
would determine that question when a
vote was reached
Berry explained that his amendments
would eliminate the provisions in the
original bill for the issuance of bonds
and would entirely close out the Mari
time Co. as stockholder in the canal
enterprise, leaving the United States,
Nicaragua ana Costa Rca as the only
stockholders and leaving the majority OF
The stock in the name of the government.
anyone Interested in the present Maritime
Co. from acting as n director under the
governments management of the enter
prise.
Allen, Neb, followed Berry. He was
not opposed to the canal scheme, he said
because he antagoniZed certain features
Of the bill One of its pernicious features
would be eliminated by the adoption OF
the Berry amendments, namely, the bond
feature
Caffery. La, at the request of Turpie,
who was absent, renewed the latter's
motion TO postpone consideration of the
bill until Jan. 10.
Hoar said he thought the canal should
be built and at once. While senators dii
they knew enough To know that its con-
struction was necessary for the protec-
ton of the commercial relations between
the two coasts OF the United States. the
canal, he insisted, should be built by the
government. The experience of the gov
eminent with the Union Pacific and the
Central Pacific Railroads should not De
repeated. In order to do justice to the
Maritime Co, in his oninion. the Presi-
dent should he auth 3flzed TO obtain a
reasonable and impartial estimate of the
should then be paid. The Clayton Bulwer
treaty should be got out Of the way. Our
representatives have declared 1t valid.
The consent of England should be OBJ
tanned
Morgan secuted the idea of postponing
consideration of the bin until England
consent was obtained If England had
said We could not build the canal with
out her consent, the canal would have
been built five years ago. He maintained
that the concern of Nicaragua and Costa
Rica was not forfetable next October.
Morgan said that dhe Berry amendments
for financing the enterprise We're more
acceptable to him than the provisions OF
the committee. He predicted that the
United States would secure at least per
cent. dividends upon It's investment. and
he drew a glowing picture of the use to
which the funds obtained could be put
At 5.15 p. NJ. the Senate went into ex-
ecutive session, and at 5.35 p NJ. ad-
journed.