The age-herald., 1899-01-06
MIR. CAFFERY OF LOUISIANA
Continued His Speech in Opposition to
 Nicaragua Canal Measure.
SEVERAL BILLS PASSED BY HOUSE
All Were of Minor Importance Consid- eration of Measure to Codify Alas kan Laws Continued-Gen-
 eral Discussion of Bill.

Washington, January 5.-Little business except that of a routine character was transacted by the senate today. A resolu- tion offered by MT. Hoar, of Massachusetts. directing the committee on foreign relations to report to the senate whether the treaty of Paris makes any provision for the claims of the citizens of the United States against Spain, which were in existence before the present war and the status of such claims after the ratification of the treaty, was adopted.
 MT. Caffery continued and concluded his speech. begun before the holiday recess in opposition to the pending Nicaraguan bill.
 MT. Hoar introduced a resolution request ing the president of not in his judgment in- compatible with public interest to communi- cate to the senate all instructions given by him to the commissioners who negotiated the treaty of Paris; all correspondence be- tween the executive and the state depart ment and the commissioners; all reports made by the commissioners, either to the president or the state department.
 Res lution Went Over
 At the request of MT Davis, a member of the peace commission, the resolution went over.
 MT. Hoar then presented the following resolution which was adopted:
 That the committee on foreign relations be directed to inquire and to report to the senate whether the proposed treaty with Spain makes any provision for claims of citizens of the United States against Spain which were in existence before the begin ming of present war, the extent and number nf ip,c nd hot lDa tho conditions of the same after peace shall have been declared
 The senate bill providing for the classi- fications of clerks in first and second-class postoffices was passed. The bill also fixes salaries. It divides the clerks in first-class offices into eight grades at salaries ranging from $500 to $1,OO0
 The Nicaragua canal bill was then tken up and MT. Gallery was recognized to con- tinue his speech in opposition to the pend ing bill. MT. Caffery devoted his remarks especially to the Clayton Bulwer treaty as- sertng that the bill sought to do by indi- rection what the treaty prohibits doing di- rectly.
 Would be Neutral
 MT. Caffery said in reply to a question from MT White that it was his opinion that if the United States should build the canal under the pending bill in the face of the , treaty the canal would be absolutely neu- tral and Great Britain would have every right to use the canal in time of war He thought the treaty should be abrogated and that the United States should construct the canal independently of the Maritime company.
 MT. White expressed the opinion that the interests of the human demand the canal, but said that in proceeding we should have due regard for all interests He thought, however, that we ought to be able to devise a scheme for proceeding with the construction of the canal without in- ringing upon the rights of other nations and intimated that the canal might be built and negot ations with other countries con- ducted later.
 During his speech MT. Caffery alluded to the statement which had been made re- repea tedly that the opposition to the canal was fostered and maintained by those who were behind the trans-contnental railroads as supporters. This charge he repudiated and he declared he would scorn himself if he could be supposed to be guilty of 1t. Upon the conclusion of MT. Caffery'S speech the senate adjourned