The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-09
SENATE.

WaShintOn December NO business
was transacted by the senate today in
open session. A few minutes after the
senate convened it went into executive
session.
At 2:I5 o'clock business in open ses-
sion was resumed, the death Of Repre-
sentatives NOrthway of Ohio, and
Love, of Mississippi, was announced
and the senate adjourned as a mark Of
respect to their memories.
AS & result of the meeting of the
senate on the Nicaragua canal today,
Senator Morgan gave notice of an
amendment to the Nicaraguan canal
bill, authorizing the immediate issu-
ance, with a guarantee by this govern
ment of $4,000 worth of bonds for
the redemption of all outstanding
stock, except that held by the govern
ments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
and the cancellation of all obligations.
II submitted at the same time a report
upon the situation with reference to
the canal dealing exclusively with the
fact that the government of Nicaragua
nal to another company than the Mari
time Canal Company. He deals with
this transaction in severe terms, up
holding the rights of the Maritime
Company for the present and for an
extension Of its concessions for ten
years more. The report arraigns the
conduct of the republic of Nicaragua
as we'll as that of the American cltl-
zens securing the new concession in
course of Nicaragua to jealousy of Cos
ta Rica and that of the cOnceSsiOnarleS
to "obstruct a great national policy in
selling out to a ranS-cOntinental rail-
road company for the defeat of sus-
posed competitions.
The committee adduceS as a justif-
cation of the new report the serious
ness of the situation, saying on this
point:
The serious consequences likely to
result to the United States from this
unprecedented and unWarranted action
of the late government of Nicaragua
and the evident purpose to force our
government into payment of large
sum as compensation for the future
consent of the republic of the United
States of Central America to the crea-
ton of a. maritime canal through the
San Juan river and Lake Nicaragua
REQUIRES the committee to present the
grounds upon which it insists that this
proceeding is without any support in
law justice or equity and that 1t Vl0-
lates the hitherto cordial relations OF
the United States with Nicaragua.
The report takes issue with the con-
tention of Nicaragua that that coun-
try owns both banks Of the San Juan
river. calling attention to the fact that
Costa RiCa has equal rights, since the
arbitration of President Cleveland. as
the owner Of one bank Of the stream.
Attention is called to the fact.
1t is then set forth that Costa Rica 5
interests in the canal are as great as
those of Nicaragua, "and it follows
that the action of both republics is es-
sential of the right of either to claim
a forfeiture of the concession. II Mica
ragua claims that the concession 1t has
granted is forfeited Costa kiCa mas
the right 10 assert that it is not for
feited. 1t is claimed that the consent
of this country is also necessary 10 any
proceeding on the part Of Nicaragua
looking to the forfeiture Of the conces-
sion.
4 The senate had a long debate in exc
Cutive session today upon the subject
OF confirmation of the Hawaiian com
missiOners The debate was started by
Senator HOar, who made a vigorous
protest against the practice OF appoint
He said these senators were, when ap
pointed acting under the direction o.
and became the duly authorized gen
erals of the president. " nat becamt
of their functions as senators, he ask
ed when the report they make, as il
the case of the Hawaiian commission
came before the senate, co-ordInat
t branch of the government
The method of appointing senator
! on commissions was defended by Sena
tors Morgan and Platt, Of Connecticut
! who claimed there was nothing incOn
sistent in so doing.
Other speakers in the cOntrOvers.
We're Senators Chandler and Bacon, il
opposition TO the too free exercise by tn
president of the power Of appointing
senators TO other positions. The
pointed out that there was a law 0,
the statute books inhibiting citizen
from holding two offices with pay a
the same time and insisted that sue
appointments We're contrary 10 IN
spirit of American institutions.
Senator -Aldrich was among thos
who contcnded for the right Of the pres
ident 10 bring INFO service Of the coun
try the talents of senators and mem
bers Of congress in other lines THAI
those in which the offices indicated.
Senator Aldrich made the point tina
the position of commissioner in sue
duties as those of the Hawaiian com
mission and the Paris peace commits
sion was not inconsistent with the per
formance OF senatorial duties. Thos
positions were. he said. not offices il
tie usual Interpretation of the wor'
| and TO prevent the presidents calm;
for the services for such work was to-
often to deprive him Of the best assist
+, ance available in special cases lik
those which Senator Morgan, Cullom