New-York tribune., 1899-01-22
VOTES FOR THE GREAT CANAL
NICARAGUAN WATERWAY BILL PASSED
BY THE SENATE.
THE OPPOSITION SUDDENLY CoLLAPsEs.
AND ONLY SIX VOTES ARE CAST
AGAINST THE MEASURE - ONE
OBSTACLE OUT OF THE
PEACE TREATY's WAY.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE !

collapsed suddenly in the Senate this afternoon,
that measure being put on its third reading and
approved without the formality OF a roll
call. Mr Carery. OF Louisiana, who had been
struggling for week to stave OF vote, In
spite OF the agreement reached on January l5
talking TO friend in the Senate corridor
when the presiding officer announced that IN
default OF further amendments the bill would
be put on its passage. and two other Of the lead
ing opponents OF the measure Mr Tillman and
Mr. Vest were absent in their committee-rooms
No division was therefore demanded. and the
bill was put through on a viva vOce vote. When
Mr. Vest and Mr Caffery returned to the cham
ber they were greatly chagrined at having been
caught mapping and protested that they should
have at least the chance to go record through
an aye and no rollcall. Mr. Morgan courte-
ously and niagnanimously agreed 70 give them
this consolation. and al his request the vote
was retaken. Only six Senators opposed the bill
as completed while forty-elght voted for rs
passage
The amendment offered Yesterday by Mr
Spooner. authorizing the President 10 negotiate
II desirable for the control OF an alternative
isthmian route. accepted by Mr. Morgan
and is now incorporated in the Canal bill. which,
indeed has undergone many important changes
since II last reported from Mr.. Morgan's
special committee. The passage Of the bill was
hailed with much qualification In the Senate
for with this stumbling block out Of the way
full attention can now be given TO the con-
sderation OF the Peace Treaty and TO other
equally urgent business on the uncomfortaby
crowded calendar OF the deberative branch.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL
The Nicaragua Canal bill as passed continues
the name Of the Maritime Canal Company II
provides for the issue OF 100000 shares OF
stock OF 800 each The canal company Is re-
quired call in all the stock issued except that
held by the governments OF Nicaragua and
Costa Rica II is also required 10 redeem and
cancel all bonds ana scrip heretofore issued and
10 satisfy all cash liabilities. To enable the
company 10 comply with these requirements
Treasury warrants 10 the amount Of S5.OOOOOO
are authorized, with provlso to the effect that
only so much OF the amount shall be paid
may he required 10 pay the usual cash value Of
the rights privileges franchises and property
the time Of the payment the value TO be deter
mined by Commissioners TO be appointed by the
President
This being done. the Secretary OF the Treas
ury is authorized to subscribe for 025OOO shares
OF the company's stock for the Government OF
the United States. The present members OF the
board Of seven is TO he appointed in their place.
consisting OF five on behalf Of the United states
and one each on behalf Of Nicaragua and Costa
Rica The directors on behalf ~ the United
States are 20 be appointed by the President and
confirmed by the Senate. No two OF them
10 be residents OF the same State. and no per
son who has heretofore been Interested I'm the
canal company is 10 be appointed TO this office.
They also prohibited from being interested
In contracts on he canal Each Of the directors
except the president is TO receove salary OF
$1,000 a year and the president is to have
$4,000 All travelling expenses are 70 he paid.
Annual reports are required. There IS a pro-
vision against declaring n dividend except on the
net earnings
The company is authorized 10 contract for the
| completion Of the canal within six years. The
payments are restricted TO S20Oo0ooO annually.
The canal is 70 De large enough FOR the use Of
the largest seaROing vessels. at n cost not to
exceed the estimate Of the engineers. and not
10 exceed S115OGOO0O" This amount is made
q permanent appropriation for the work 10 De
used as occasion may require.
GOVERNMENT LIEN OF THE PROPERTY.
The bill gives the Government lien on the
property 10 secure the repayment Of the money
| advanced and the President is empowered to
declare forfeiture Of the property 10 the United
States without the necessity Of judicial or other
| proceedings TO ascertain its value. Thereafter
/ full title is 10 rest in the Government or the
| United States The President is authorized 20
/ suspend payments at any time and also 10 Sc
/ cure any change in or modification OF the terms
Of the concession either from the concessionaires
! or from Nicaragua and Costa Rica- In case OF
failure in such negotiation the President is EN-
| .fo,o f,y fkar 70
the isthmus He is further required to open
negotiations for the abrogaton OF the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty or any other treaty found TO be
| in existence and standing in the way OF the con
! struction OF the canal
The neutrality Of the canal is guaranteed. but
the right 10 protect IT against Interruptions Of
business between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
Of the United States is reserved.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT ADOPTED
When the Canal bill was laid before the Senate
the pending question was on the amendment Of
Mr. Spooner II was accepted by Mr. Morgan
and agreed to by the Senate. II is follows:
That II the President shall be unable TO secure
| from the Governments Of Nicaragua and Costa
States 10 build and perpetually own and control
said canal the President IL authorized 20 negotiate
perpetually control some other canal connecting
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the Presi-
dent Is requested 10 negotiate for the abrogatiOn
or modification OF any and all treaty obligations. II
any such exist. shall IN any wise interfere with
the construction ownership and perpetual control
! OF any sich cHnal: provided. that payments
! shall be made under the provisions OF this act TO
or for the benefit OF the stockholders Of the Mari
! time Canal Company. for any OF its property
| unless the President shall decide 20 construct a
canal under the concessions granted to said com
| pany
Among the speeches just before the vote
an explanation by Mr.. Tillman OF his course
Yesterday. He said he had undertaken 20 delay
the proceedings OF the Senate because his rights
| as a Senator had been denied. and 10 vlndicate
| his position such He was not sorry for
what he had done IN view OF the adoption OF the
| e.o.or ap,andnert III would offer no OH