The age-herald., 1899-02-08
SENATOR MORGAN
Thanks Legislature for Complimentary
 Resolutions-Canal Bill.

Montgomery, February 7.-(Special.)-Th governor sent special message to the house this evening transmitting a letter from Senator John T. Morgan, acknowledg- ing the receipt of the joint resolutions in- troduced by John Wallace, and passed by the assembly, thanking the senator for splendid efforts in securing the passage through the senate of the Nicaragua canal bill
 Senator Morgan gives some interesting information in his letter as to the present status of the bill His letter is quoted be- low in full:
 Limited States Senate, February 5, 1899. "Hon. Joseph F. Johnston, Governor of
 Alabama:
 Dear Sir:-It gives me sincere pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of the joint resolution of the general assembly of the state of Alabama approved by your excellency on February 1, expressing their approbation of my course in the senate of the United States, touching particularly the offer to promote the construction of a ship canal through Nicaragua.
 ''It is also very gratifying to me that this distinguished honor is communicated to me through your official notification as gover- nor of Alabama.
 'If it should be granted to me to enjoy the ndpplHc5S Ol ilNlnB to see that great work completed, and to witness the inn pulse of a new life and of increased pros- perity that it must bring to the people of Alabama, even such an event would not give to me such proud satisfaction as I en- joy in receiving this proof of their appro- bation and confidence.
 "The bill that passed the senate on the Fist of January by vote of 8 to Lit being the second bill that has received the sanc- tion of the senate, and may be defeated in the house of representatives by delay. If this should occur, of if the canal measure is beaten in the house, there is no question that such a result will be due to the com bined influence of the transcontinental rail- roads, including the Panama railroad and the Canadian Pacific All the trans continental railroad companies are deter mined that water way not owned or controlled by them, shall be opened for ships through the Isthmus of Durien if they can prevent it.
 ''This purpose is to put their own rates of taxation upon all the vast commerce that shall pass across this hemisphere be- tween our eastern and western coasts and between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans But the passage of the senate bill has given such force to the movement to construct a canal, under the control of the government of the United States, that the railroads and the other schemes for placing the inter- oceanic ship canal under the nominal con- trol of private persons, cannot now pre- vent it. In this vital matter the success of the Nicaragua canal is now established.
 The president of the United States true to his duty to the whole people, will use his power, legitimately, to execute their will, embodied in the principles of the sen- ate bill, whatever may be the plan adopted by the construction of the ship canal along the valley of the San Juan river of Nica- ragua and Costa Rica Delay may occur in consequence of the continental opposi- tfon which has long obstructed this worl, of worldwide necessity, but there remains no doubt of its early inauguration. I beg to express my congratulations to the gen eral assembly and the people of Alabama. on this accomplished progress, which can not be altered either by the indifference of some, or the appreciation of others.
 May ask that you will communicate to the general assembly of Alabama. in re- sponse to their resolutions, my grateful thanks for the great honor they have chosen to bestow upon me; which I accent with my cordial acknowledgement of inc able and firm support, and most valuable cooperation of my present colleague. Sena- tor Pettus, and his predecessor, Senator Pugh.
 With great respest and sincere regard
 JOHN T. MORGAN"