Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-12-23
CONGRESS AT WORK AGAIN.

CONGRESS AT WORK AGAIN.
Rep Corliss of Michigan. introduced
a comprehensive bill providing for the
acquIsl, ON OF a right of way and the
construction of an inter-oceanic canal
by the United States. The bill pro.
vides thoJ the United States shall ac
quire from Costa Rica and Nicaragua
strip of land sufficient for IA right OF
way for the canal and the necessary
ports and harbors. and authorizes the
payment OF 50 900 600 to the Maritime
Cana Co. in full compensation for the
concession which that company now
holds. 1t guarantees to Costa Rica
and Nicaragua the use of the canal
and harbors and authorizes the issu
ance by the United States of $4,000
900 in bonds of denominations from
$50 10 81. 900 at per cent interest
7 ne President is authorized TO extend
TO all nations the use of the Nicaragua
canal on equal terms as to tolls and
the privileges of navigation, provided
said nations respectively enter into a
treaty providing for the neutrality OF
rsi "a Naiills lOEtlbti W lNl VIC POI -
of entry therein in the Pacific ocean
and the Caribbean sea for at least the
distance Of 200 miles from said respec.
tive harbor.
Senator Plat rep, Cnn.) spoke
against the Vest resolution which de.
clares that the United States has no
power to acquire territory He said
that expansion has been law of oul
national growth, the handspring OF
our national development. As t.
granting self-government to new peo-
pies, we would be under no obligation
TO do so until the people showed thei'
fitness for it.
Senator Proctor rep. Ner) intro.
duced a resolution providing for the
appointment of Il committee of five
senators to visit the islands of Cuba and
Porto Rico for the purpose of "inquir
ing into the military require
ments necessary to establish and main.
tain order In those islands until civil
government is inaugurated. Mr.. Hale
(Rep., Me- opposed the measure.
Senator Hanna introduced in the SEN
ate and Rep. Payne in the house, bill
10 grant subsidies for American ship
ping. The bill is entitled. "A bill to
promote commerce and increase the
foreign trade Of the United States and
to provide auxiliary cruisers, trans
ports and seamen for government use
when necessary"
The urgent deficiency appropriation
bill, making provision for the army
and navy for the next six months, dis
placed the Nicaragua canal bill in the
senate for one day The deficiency bill
was passed after spirited discussion
turning principally on the point of
keeping the volunteer soldiers in the
service
During the discussion of the Nicara-
qua canal bill MIR. Money urged post
ponement of the question in order TO
permit an opportunity FOR negotiations
with Great Britain for modification
OF the Clayton Bulwer treaty. and Mr..
Morgan antagonized the proposition
The house surpassed all previous re-
cords in the expedition with which il
passed the pension appropriation bill,
which went through in 20 minutes
without a word Of criticism The bill
carries a total of S145, 233, O3O.
The bill 10 incorporate the Interna-
tional American bank-to facilitate ex-
change with Central and South Amer
lean countries-was buried under an
overwhelming adverse majority in the
house.
The bill TO extend the customs and
internal revenue laws of the United
States over the Hawaiian islands was
passed by the house.
Senator Morgan made a three hours
speech upon his bill for the construc-
ton of the Nicaragua canal.
The house refused TO concur in the
senate amendments TO the army and
navy deficiency bill.
The house passed a bill appropri.
ating $3.50, 900 for the Philadel phia ex-
position of 1899.
The house passed the Indian appro-
priation bill as il came from the com
mittee.
Both houses adjourned to Jan. 4.