The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-12-14

canal Enterprtse-Its Scheme One of Confiscation-A Canal from tho Treas-
 urv to the Empty Golfers of the "Bcg- garly Corporation" It's Aim He Charges.
 Washington, Dec. 1S.-To-day's ses- sion of the senate was largely consumed in the discussion of the Nicaragua canal bill. The measure was called up by Senator Morgan at 2 p. m. and at his request a communication was read from Minister Merry, transmitting the l remonstrance of the United States to the president of Nicaragua against any change in the status of the canal mat ter and also statement from Hon. | w. H. Grace, chairman of the execu- | tive committee of the syndicate which has recently obtained an option on the right of way across Nicaragua in oppo- sition to the Maritime Canal companys | enterprise.
 
 the Nicaragua bill, saying that no one could excel him in zeal in advocating the isthmian canal, but while he saw the vast advantages of the proposed waterway he was also fully aware of the difficulties of putting the plan for a canal into execution. He was not op- posed to the canal as much as he was | opposed to the scheme of the Maritime i Canal company and he denounced that | company as the most venomous and ef- l fective opponent of real canal enter- prise He did not believe it possible for that company, with its bad odor to construct the canal, and he held that the Maritime company should get out of the way of the genuine canal enter prise. He developed this line of attack at some length, denouncing it as a scheme of confiscation. The object of the Maritime company, he declared, was not to cut a canal, but to "cut a channel of communication at the least possible cost between the treasury of the United States and the empty coffers of that beggarly corporation
 | ment could not lawfully guarantee the Maritime companys bonds as proposed. The case was not parallel to that of l the Pacific Railroad company, as in those cases the bonds were made directly payable to the company. As to the pos- \ sibility of foreign jealousy operating to prevent the construction of the canal l by this government MT. Turpie de- 1 clared that there was no civilized na- tion that would not be pleased to see | the canal constructed. The Maritime company had been guilty of innumera- ble frauds, but even if it had. not, he would not support the pending bill be- cause of the failure to provide for the ownership of the canal by the United States. All obstacles would disappear 1 before a movement on the part of the ! United States to construct the canal.
 MT. Turpie renewed his plea for 8 postponement of the question until the Nicaragua canal commission should re- port. He said he had favored the ap- pointment of this commission because he knew no commission could report in favor of the Maritime company. Infor- nation was wanted on three points, of the feasibility, time and expense and the senate had a right to this informa- tion before acting upon the bill. MT. l Turpie closed for the day with mo- | tion for postponement of further con- sideration of the bill until January 10, by which time the report of the com- mission would be received.
 MT. Morgan antagonizing the motion, pleading for the continuation of the de- bate saying there were many points connected with the enterprise upon which light could be thrown by the Walker report. He denied that the mar itime company had ever applied to the United States for assistance but on the other hand, the application had been made to them because they owned the only concession. He declared, in answer | to a suggestion by MT. Teurpie, that it would never be possible to get an agree ment binding the United States, Nic- l aragua and Costa Rica, because of Costa Rica's suspicious of Nicaragua. | Costa Rica knew perfectly we'll that ] Nicaragua was desirous of nothing so much as the downfall of Costa Rica. He spoke of Costa Ricas bargain counter in the matter of granting con- sessions and when MT. Turpie interrup- ted him with his statement that this was not an explanation of amity to- wards Nicaragua he retorted that MT. Turpie was growing sentimental on the subject. He declared that Mr. Grace'S1 purpose in getting a new contract was not to build a canal but to own it, to hold up the government. He denounced this concession as "a rascally con- | tract"
 MT. Grace had called on him twice in one day without being invited and had urged the abandonment of government aid. In reply to a question from him MT. Grace had said he expected to get h,s money to build the canal from London. This fact showed where we were drift ing and was there senator who would be willing to see the canal placed undsr the control of foreigners. The senate at o'clock went into executive session and at 5:55 p. m. adjourned.
 In the House.
 Washington, Dec. 13.-The house to- day passed the District of Columbia ap- propriation bill without a single amendment The bill carries $S,659, $50, ! x1-bicb ie S1T6 6nn lace than woe o,rr;od