New-York tribune., 1899-02-15
FIGHTING FOR THE CANAL.
LIVELY PARLIAMENTARY STRUGGLE on
IN THE HOUSE.
MR.. HEPBURN OFFERS THE NICARAGUA
MEASURE AS A RIDER TO THE
SUNDRY CIVIL BILL

Washington. Feb. 14-The Nicaragua Canal
bill was offered IN the House this afternoon az
an amendment TO the sundry Civil Appropri-
alton bill by Mr.. Hepburn. OF Iowa chairman
Of the committee that reported IT, and the lead
ers on the respective sides are engaged in a
struggle which involves the fate Of the Canal
bill at this session Of Congress. After Mr..
Cannon. chairman Of the Committee on APP
propriations, served notice last week that there
was no time for the consideration Of the Canal
bill at this session. the supporters Of the meas
ure determined 10 force It onto the Sundry
Civil bill a rider IL possible.
AS soon as Il was offered this afternoon Mr.
Cannon made four points Of order against II:
First. that 1t not germane; second. that II
was directly obnoxious to Rule q; third. that
It violated the rule requiring that appropri-
ations in general appropriation bills should be
authorized by law; and. fourth. that it was not
in continuation Of work authorized by law.
This opened UP a long parliamentary debate
upon the point Of order. Mr.. Hepburn took the
floor, arguing that the amendment was germane
and that It violated no rule. He contended that
the two surveys made under the direction OF
Congress constructiveiy authorized the work OF
building the canal itself He insisted that the
work OF constructing the canal was in progress
within the contemplation Of the rule.
W A Smith Rep.. Mich) declared that the
Dickinson treaty Of 1861 warranted an appro-
priation for the construction of the canal as
much as the Treaty ,pf Paris warranted the ap-
preparation Of 5000 OGO carried in this bill
Mr. Hepburn declared that the rule invoked
against his amendment was obsolete so far as
the Appropriations Committee concerned
There we're thirteen distinct violations OF II in
the pending. bill. II was only invoked when the
Appropriations Committee desired 10 stand of
some fancied raid upon the Treasury There
was round Of applause when Mr.. Hepburn
took his seat
Mr. Cannon. IN reply. said that he would not
consider the wisdom OF the canal 1t was the
law which should oe considered, and there was
not q microscope IN the universe big enough
10 find a shred Of law upon which TO base this
appropriation. Personally, he announced him
self I'm favor OF the construction OF the cahal
under proper safeguards and conditions.
Mr. Bailey suggested that II there was a ques-
tiou as 10 whether the amendment was ln ordef
upon the hil -he House agree hy unanimous
consent 20 make the Canal bin special order
Immediately after the disposal Of the Sundry
Mr. cannon pointed out. in response. how
majority II the House. if SO disposed could to-
morrow 90 into Committee 0f the Whole ANA
consider the Cana. bill on its merits. Ine a.
tempt 10 get "a rider upon a supply Din lhhI
must pass Dee declared .d. led to bad, and some
times fraudulent legislation. often hoth. Mr.
Cannon was exceedingly earnest and vigorous
iu his appeal 20 members rot TO he carried on
their feet
lmpressively De recalled the scandals in con-
necton with the building OK the Pacific Rail
roads and pleaded WIN me House mol 10 Gls,
honor itself hy crushing down a rule that had
stood for 40 years as a safeguard TO leglsla-
tIon There we're some things that could not
ba dom. with fmpun.ty. There were several in-
trrastlue colloquies between Mr. Cannon and
Mr Hepburn as they fenced ior advantage