The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-18
CANAL BILL PROGRESS
TIME OF SENATE TAKEN UP WITH
CONSIDERATION OF PENDING
MEASURE
FIRST TEST VOTE TAKEN

Mr.. RawIings' Amendment That the
Act Shall Not Take Effect Until
the Government Has Secured
Right to Fortify and Control Use
of Canal tn Time of War De-
feated by an Overwhelming Vote.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-Almost the
entire session of the senate today was
devoted to consideration of the pending
Nicaragua canal bill. Speeches were
made in support of the measure by
Mr.. Chiffon. of Texas, and Mr. Turnsr
Of Washington. and in opposition to 1t
by Mr.. SpoOner (Wis) At o'clock
consideration of the bill under the fif-
teen minute rule was begun, and was
continued to the close of the session
Mr.. Chiffon CTex) addressed the SEN
ate in support of the general canal
project. He strongly advocated the
construction of the canal at as early
date as possible. particularly because
of the commercial advantages of such
connection between the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans. The canal, he said.
would be Of equal advantage to the
cotton-growing states, as its construc-
ton would quite certainly invigorate
the now languishing cotton industry.
He would vote for the Morgan bill. he
said, not because 1t was free of imper-
fections, but because the American
people desired the construction of the
canal as soon as possible. He thought
this was propitious time for the in
auguration of the grand project and
did not believe it ought to be delayed
by mere technicalities or by reason Of
minor character.
Mr.. Spooner (Wis) followed with an
argument in opposition to the measure.
He regarded the project of the canals
construction OF immeasurable Import
aEee, but, in view of all the circum-
stances, he did not see his way clear
10 support the pending measure. He
dld not think the people desired con-
gTess TO involve them in an expendi-
ture asgregating from s150, ,0OO. 600 to
$500, ,060,o 600 without a perfect under
standing and realization of the conse-
quences of such action. In a discus
sion OF the Clayton -Bulwer treaty he
said there was a difference of opinion
as TO whether 1t was a binding obIiga-
ton in this case. His own opinion was
that it was binding, and he felt that no
actlon should be taken by the United
states that might imperil our relations
With Great Britain. The AngIo-Saxon
pond was never stronger than it is to-
day. II the treaty formed an obstruc-
uon TO the building of the canal. he
mad no doubt that by proper repre-
sentauon and negotiation the obstruc-
uon could be removed. In any event
ne maintained 1t would be the part of
honesty and good faith and dignity, as
well as Of natural safety, to endeavor
70 remove that obstacle before Ihe
enactment of legislation relating to the
project If Great Britain should refuse
10 accede to our proposition. then if
would be time to take action as vofId
subserve our national interest. At any
rate, he said, that if there is any ones.
ton as TO the application of the CLAW
toh-buiwer treaty to this matter. we
ought to see that the obstruction is re-
moved before proceeding further.
LIMIT OF EXPENDITURE.
Mr- Spooner called attention to the
hnlt OF $ll5,000,o 900 placed on the bill
as the cost of the canal, "but nobody"
ne said, expects that sum will con-
struct it, and once begun we will go on
and construct it whatever it NAV cost ;,
Even then. he continued. after If is
completed it will not belong 10 the
United States. as after ninety-nfue
years the government of Nicaragua
would enter upon its control in per-
petulty, subject to another grant of
nlnety-nine years from Nicaragua, with
heavy financial obligations, and at the
end of that time the greater waterway
would pass under the control of
Nicaragua permanently -Ainety-nira
Years was long time in the life Of
an individual but brief period in the
life of a nation.
Mr.. Turner CWash) strongly advo-
Gated the enactment into law of the
pending measure. He said the people
OF the Pacific coast regarded with favor
any reasonable and practicable propo-
sition for the construction of the Mica
ragua canal Those people, he said,
dld net expect their representatives in
congress to wait before acting in this
matter for a solution of all the diff
fculties that rose up before it. He de-
clared that the construction of the
canal would relieve at once the people
OF the Pacific coast from the octopus
grip of the transcontinental railroads,
and nobody who had not experienced
this grip could understand the deaden-
ing influence on commerce and indus
try Mr. Turner indicated some of the
advantages that would accrue to the
people of the Pacific coast and con-
cluded with an analysis of the pend
ing measure.
Mr. Morgan. in charge of the bill.
then insisted that the bill. in accord
ance with the order placing the meas
ure under the ffteen-minute rule of