The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-18
Sought to Amend Morgan's Near
aqua Canal Bill.
ATTACKED THE MEASURE
HIS AMENDMENT REJECTED BY
VOTE OF So TO 9.
Utah Senator Desired to Secure Abb
solute Control of the Canal By the
United States, With Power to
Close It Against the Enemy In
Time of War.

Washington, Jan. 17.-Almost the en-
tire session of the senate today was de-
voted to consideration of the pending
Nicaragua canal bill. At 3 o'clock con-
sideration of the bill under the fifteen
minute rule was begun, and was con-
tinued to the close of the session.
The first vote reached was on an
amendment offered by Mr.. Rawlins OF
Utah, which, in brief, provides that the
United States should have absolute
control of the canal for military or
naval purposes, with power to dictate
the use OF the waterway during the ex-
istence OF war. The friends of the
pending bill rallied against the amend
ment, and it was defeated by the decis-
i've vote of IS to 8.
A provision was inserted in the bill
providing that no more than $5,0OO,OO0
should be paid the Maritime Canal
company for its concession and work
already done on the canal
When adjournment was taken the
substitute measure offered by Mr.. CAT
ferry of Louisiana was before the SEN
ate.
Mr. Chiffon of Texas addressed the
senate in support of the general canal
project and the Morgan bill. The canal,
he said would be of special advantage
to the cotton growing states, as its con-
struction would quite certainly inviSor-
ate the now languiShing cotton indus
try.
Mr. Spooner CWis.) followed with an
argument in opposition to the pending
measure. He regarded the project OF the
canals construction as of immeaSur-
able Importance, but he did not think
Hav 10 rod 70
them in an expenditure aggregating
from $150,000,000 to s30O,0OO,OO0, without
q perfect understanding and realization
of the consequences of such action.
In discussion Of the Clayton-B ulwer
treaty, he said that his own opinion was
that it was binding, and he felt that no
action should be taken by the United
States that might imperil our relations
with Great Britain. If the treaty form
ed an obstruction, he had no doubt
That through proper representations the
obstruction could be removed. In any
event, he maintained it would be the
part of honesty ana good faith and dig
Eity, as wei as of national safety, to
end -aNOr to remove that obstacle before
the ens tment of legislation relating to
the PROJECT.
p CIFIC COAST SENTIMENT.
Mr.. Turner CWash.) strongly advocat-
ed the enactment into law of the pend
ing measure. He said the people of
the Pacific coast regarded with favor a
reasonable and practical appropriation
for the construction of the Nicaraguan
canal. Those people, he said, did not
expect their representatives in congress
TO wait before acting in this matter for
a solution of all the difficulties that rose
up before it. He declared that the con-
struction of the canal would relieve at
once the people of the Pacific coast
from the octopus grip of the trans-con-
tinental railroads. and nobody who had
not experienced this grip could under
stand its deadening influence on COM
merce and industry.
Mr. Morgan, in charge of the bill,
then insisted that the bill, in accord
anCe with the order placing the meas
ure under the fifteen minute rule of
consideration at 3 O'Clock today, should
be proceeded with. The vice president
announced that no question was pend
Ing, but in an instant several senators
We're on their feet with amendments.
RAWLINS' AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Rawlins CUtah) proposed this
THAT this act shall not take effect
until the government of the United
States shall have secured, by conYen- (
ton with the governments of Costa /
Rico and Nicaragua and with other
governments with which the United /
States may have treaties inconsistent {
Herewith, the right to fortify and gar I
risen the proposed canal and to MAIN /
tain armed vessels therein or upon the /
Lake Nicaragua and to move military
forces through the territory of said :
states for the purpose of protecting the /
canal and the citizens of the United /
states operating the same; also the !
right OF passage through the canal of /
the armed vessels, troops, munitions /
and supplies Of war of the governments !
Of the United States, Costa Rica and /
in case either of said gov
ernments is at war with any foreign !
canal to the ships. troops and munitions /
Of war OF such foreign government dur /
ing the existence of such state of war" /
Nj. EaWlins made the amendment a /
text for q severe attack upon the canal |
project. AT the conclusion of his re- |
marks. he asked for u vote on his pro- |
position. Tending the taking of the /
vote, even after the roll call had be- |
sun. Mr.. Turner said he desired to |
submit some remarks upon il. He ar |
gued that the Clayton-Bulwer treaty /
was not in force now, if it had ever |
been, as he said it had been modified |
and the modification made had never |
been ratified by the senate. He be-
lieved that the bill could be enacted (
in the least, disturbing our
relations with Great Britain.
The Rawlns amendment was defeat
Ell by a decisive majority of . yeas, IS
nays The vote il detail follows:
YEAS
Bate Rawlins,
Lindsay. Teller
McLaurin, Turley,
Mantle, Vest.
PettigreW