The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-25
NICARAGUA CANAL A RIDER.
GOES THROUGH SENATE ON RIVER
AND HARBoR BILL.

Was Attacked ON "A Point of order,
But without AvaiI-AnOthcr Canal
Amendment Accepted-Pettigre'
Rawlins and Teller Opposed the
Measure--Theirs the Only Three
Votes Against River. and HarbOr
Bill With All Amendments.
Washington, Feb. A.-After a session Of
nearly eight hours to-day the Senate this
evening at $50 o'clock passed the river
and harbor bill by the decisive vote of so
TO 2
The measure was under consideration
throughout the day, and on several Of the
committee amendments a determined fight
was made, but in every instance the oppo-
sition awaited nothing.
The sharpest contest arose over the Nj
caragua canal bill amendment. A point
of order was made against it that it was
general legislation. but the Senate, to
which the Vice President submitted the
point, ovewuled it. 1t was then attacked
as not being relevant to a river and har-
Dor measure, but this, too, was overruled
by the Senate.
Mr.. Peuigrew silver Republican of
South Dakota; Mr.. Rawlins, Democrat of
Utah, and Mr.. Teller, silver Republican
Colorado. vigorously attacked the bill
their opposition being directed especially
against the canal amendment The state
ment was made that the measure would
never see the Wight of day in the House.
and that the canal would not be built un-
der The provision inserted in the bill
During the consideration of the river
and harbor bill, Mr.. SpOoner offered an
amendment to the Nicaragua canal
amendment, as follows:
That if the President shall be unable
70 secure from the governments of Mica
ragua ana Costa Rica such concessions
as will enable the United States to build
and perpetually own and control such
canal, the President is authorized to ne
gotiate for a control OF, or a right to
construct, maintain and perpetually con-
troll some other canal connecting the At
iantic and Pacific oceans; and the Presi-
| dent is requested to negotiate for the alb
rogation or modification of any and all
treaty obligations, if any such exist, as
shall in any wise interfere with the con-
struction, ownership and perpetual con-
troll of such canal"
Mr.. Frye, in charge of the bill. accept
| ed the amendment, and 1t was agreed to.
Pettigrew's Idea of Its Cost.
| Mr Pettigrew had no idea the canal
| would be built under this amendment He
maintained that $1150O000O would not pay
| for its construction, nor, in his opinion.
would s215 900, 900 build it. The canal must
either be made neutral absolutely and un-
! fortified, or we must fortify 1t at an ex-
| pense of hundreds of millions.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Pettigrew's re-
| marks the Nicaragua canal bill amend
ment as amended, was agreed TO without
| division
Mr.. Frye in charge of the bill. offered
as an amendment 10 the bill codihcatio
of laws relating to river and harbor i'm
provements and it was agreed to without
being read and without division.
Mr. Pettigrew remarked sarcasticaliy
that he would moi object to il as it SIM
ply added TO the montrosities of the meas
ure He was satisfied the House would
never let the bill see daylight
After some minor amendments the meas
ure was placed on its passage, and passed
50 10 8, Messrs. Pettigrew, Rawlins and
Teller voting against the bill.
An agreement was reached that the Sen
ate convene at II o'clock a. m tomorrow.
The Senate then, on motion Of Mr.. Plat,
of Connecticut, al $40 o'clock p. m. adj
journed.