The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-25
CANAL AMENDMENT GOES.
THB sENATB ATTACHES II TO THE
RIVER HARBOR BIJL.

Declares IL to BE in Order by n Vote OF 81
to 7-Missouri River Reservoir Amend
msnts Also Adopted-The River and Har-
Dor Bill Then Passed by n Vote of 90 TO 2.
WARRINGTON. Feb. 24.-The consideration of
the River and Harbor bill was resumed by the
Senate to-day. and the amendments appro-
printing $4,000 for three reservoirs at the
headwaters Of the Missouri River in Wyoming.
and S50.000 for surveys Of reservoir sites In
arid and: semi-arid States (which were re-
served yesterday were taken up and discussed.
Mr.. Spooner rep. Wis., argued that the
proposed reservoirs ware really for irrigation
purposes. not for promoting and
were out OF place In n river and harbor. bill.
He said that this was the entering wedge TO n
system Of irrigation works that would cost
hundreds OF millions OF dollars. II was not a
proper subject Of Congressional expenditure.
but was rather a proposition to turn the United
States $50 far as the arid regions are con-
cerned) into n great water company. It. was a
matter which Congress should not enter upon
in the last days OF the session as ar item in an
appropriation hill. but 1t should come. in IN; at
all as a distinct proposition.
Mr.. Spooner's argument was replied to by
Mr.. Foraker. Mr.. Warren and Mr.. Allen, who
favored the reservoir amendments.
Mr.. GalllnRer rep. n. H. declared himself
heartily and earnestly" for the amendments.
They might. he said. be trenchinG somewhat
on the Constitution. but he was willing to take
n little chance on that In favor OF any measure
asked by Senators from Western States which
did not share In the benefactions OF the Gov
eminent equally with the Eastern and Middle
States.
Mr.. Carter tRep.. Mon) also disputed Mr..
Spooner's constitutional argument and IA
vored the reservoir amendments.
After a discussion lasting over two hours the
reservoir amendments we're adopted.
Mr.. Hawlins dem. Utah) made a point OF
order upon the Nicaragua Canal amendment.
that it was general Legislation and was not
eermane TO the bill. After a long discussion
the Vice-President said he would avail himself
OF the twenty-frst rule and would submit to
the Senate the question whether. on the point
OF general legislation. the amendment is in
order.
Tho vote was taken and the amendment was
declared in o~rder-yeas. 81: nays. Z tAllen.
Bate. Cock rell, Pettigrew. Rawlins. Teller and
Vest).
The question OF relevancy was next sub
mitted, and was decided in like manner
yeas. 4S; nays. II ALLEN. Bate. Clay. Cockrell.
Daniel. McLaurin. Pasco. Pettigrew. Rawlins.
Roach. Teller and vestl. So the canal amend
ment remains in the bill.
Mr.. Spooner offered an amendment to the
Nicaragua Canal amendment. authorizing the
President: in case OF inability TO secure con
f Segotin.e t Tor the e eabroestio an or m m9sTa ltioi e op
any treaty stipulations that may interfere with
the construction. ownership and perpetual
control OF any such canal.
Mr.. FRYE in charge Of the bilr-I do not OBJ
ject to that amendment.
sequentlv, at the suggestion. OF Mr.. Morgan
Dem. Ala withdrew the objection and Mr..
Sp 21 srrn n5eefa ag%inst w the s sepesa pr Provisions
or the Nicaragua Canal amendment was made
by Mr.. Rawlins tDem, Utah. who moved to
OF territory rights and privileges.
The motion was defeated-yeas. 5 (Bate. Pet
Mr. Mantle Ihfa nSf' Mon ano m sSssd n a. pro 5Si
that, not more than S2.oO0.uOO shall be ex-
owned oSTaep or to claimed iaH pai' by pa Gt eas other OF t faSe% Gests
RIGA or Nicaragua. Defeated without the yeas
MIR. Pettigrew attacked the entire project.
for $115.000,0O0 or Tor S~215,00O.O0O. and thai
trial. unfortifed and to be used by all nations.
or II had to- be fortified at an expense OF hun.
nrfes Would 20 Hih hsTe to i1 10 w snarde tfn n order I'd ft TO
prevent its destruction: for Its great embank-
ments could be destroyed by one person in q
lew hours with modern explosives. 1t would
be wiser to join with the other nations to com
plete the Panama Canal; OF which only TWEEN
time Of passing through the Nicaragua Canal
would be forty-four hours. as against fourteen
mercial value of the Nicaragua Canal would be
destroyed by the other, on which there were
now 1000 men at work. As TO its effect on
tran scontinental railroad rates. he said that
although the bushes of thesesroads was large
very little OF it was from ocean to ocean. Half
OF the money required for the Nicaragua Canal
would build a transcontinental road owned
by the people and operated by the Govern
late transcontinental rates.
At the close OF Mr.. Pettigre VS. remarks the
Nicaragua Canal amendment was agreed to
without the yeas and nays.
1t authorizes the President to ACQUIRE from
Costa RIGA and Nicaragua such portion Of ter
ritory or such rights. easements or privileges
as may be necessary for the construction. con-
near Greytown on the Caribbean Sea. by way
OF Lake Nicaragua. to Brito on the Pacific
Ocean. and it appropriates such sum as NAV
be necessary to make such purchase. When
Secretary Of War is to proceed with the con-
struction OF the canal and OF safe and commo-
dlous .harbors. at its termini. Only engineer
officers OF the army and navy are to be en-
professional duties. The San Juan River and
Lake Nicaragua are to be used. The use of
the canal lie to be guaranteed TO Costa Rica
and Nicaragua for all vessels owned by them
100000 is made for the con pletion of the
work. In case Of inability to make the neces-
sary agreement with Costa Rica and Nicaragua
the President is authorized to negotiate for
might interfere with the construction and con-
troll OF the canal meaning tbs Clayton-Bulwer
treaty..
An amendment to insert in the bill a certih-
harbor bills was offered by Mr.. Frye and
agreed to without being, read. Mr.. Pettigrew
remarking that he would not object. because
1t, would only be adding 70 the monstrosities