Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-27


THE NICARAGUA CANAL
question also has taken a prominent
place in the work of this session. The
essential feature of the Morgan bill
is in providing the the United States
shall participate in the construction Of
the canal, subscribing for 925 900 shares
at $500 each, out of total of l ,000, 900
and that the work Of the Maritime
Canal Company, of Nicaragua. in exc
cutting the work shall be practically
under the direction of the United States
When this bill reached the House Com
mittee on Commerce, all after the en-
acting clause was struck out, and what
is known as the Hepburn plan, drafted
by Representative Hepburn, of Iowa,
chairman of the House Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce, sub
stituted. The essential feature of the
Hepburn substitute is in making the
canal exclusively
A GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKING.
1t authorizes the President to acquire
by purchase from Nicaragua and Costa
Rica the territory necessary ito exca-
vate, construct, control and defend a
canal" etc. Such sum is necessary for
purchasing the right of way is appro-
priated. When the route is thus secur-
ed the President is authorized to have
the Secretary of War excayate and con-
struct the canal from point near Grey
town, via Lake Nicaragua, to a point
near Brito, on the Pacific. The sum
of $115,O00,000 is appropriated for the
completion of the work authorized. 1t
is expected that the final success or
failure of the project will not be known
until the closing hours of the session.
The canal amendment reported from
the Senate Commerce Committee as an
amendment to the river and harbor bill,
was agreed to by the Senate and the
bill passed. 1t is now before the House
Committee on Rivers and Harbors,
with the outcome in doubt on the canal
item and the bill as a whole.
The bill providing for taking the twelfth
census was first passed by the Senate. and
provided a comprehensive plan for eXecut
ing this important work When the meas
ure reached the House a substitute was
passed. The House measure differs from
that of the Senate mainly in making the
census bureau an independent organiza-
ton, not under the Interior Department,
and in the method of appointments.
AN IMPORTANT MEASURE
which has passed both houses and doubt
less will become a law is known as the
naval personnel BILL and is entitled
bill to organize and increase the efhci-
ency of the personnel of the navy and
marine corps. Its main features were
drawn up by a board of eminent naval
officers, and were designed to overcome
the stagnation in some of the grades, to
expand the personnel to keep pace with
the up-building of the navy. and to re-
organize the marine corps. 1t passed the
House and the Senate. in amended form,
and is passing through the final stages of
conference.
The Hawaiian bill was presented to both
branches Of Congress, having been framed
ny Inc IldNd44tIl 0blilllASo-bl dpPOI4iASI
by the resident, with view to carrying
out the congressional resolution annex
ing Hawaii The bill has not, however,
passed either branch of Congress. and,
in view of this, several bills dealing with
special phases in Hawaiia have passed one
or the other house.
What is known as the anti-scalping bill
has attracted much interest and occu-
pied considerable time N both branches
of Congress. 1t was the first piece Of gen
eral legislation passed by the House at
this session, but its consideration in the
Senate has been attended by numerous de-
lays.
Another measure of Importance TO the
commercial and shipping classes is known
as
THE SHIPPING BILL.
1t was introduced in the Senate by Mr..
Hanna, and IN the House by Mr.. Payne,
and is pending in both houses. 1t pro-
vides a system of bounties to American
steam and sailing vessels, dependent on
tonnage and distance covered, and also
makes merchant vessels an auxiliary
force to the navy in time of war. 1t is
on the calendar OF both houses with its
future in doubt owing to the short time
remaining.
The general legislation Of the session
has advanced to its final stages and has
become law.
The bill establishing a national military
park to comme morate the campaign. siege
and defense OF Vicksburg has passed both
houses Among the bills which have pass
ed one or the other houses is a bill amend
ing the war revenue bill as TO stamping
of bond or note and mortgage.
THE TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
of the present session will approximate
500 o0o.oo9. of which about 100000 will
be for the military and naval uses or for
subjects connected with the war This
IS general estimate. however. based up
on totals which may undergo much
change, as very few of the large appro-
priation bills have become law, and some
of them have not even been considered.
If the Nicaragua canal amendment is
added to the river and harbor bill this
VIII make a material increase. Included
in the naval bill are provisions for three
sea-going battleships, three armored
cruisers. for which slno00,oC0 is appropri-
ated for the first years work
Based on estimates. the total appro-
priations for Congress (not including the
4 q