Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-06

Absence of Quorum Caused an Adj
jOuFnment.

The debate on the Nicaragua canal bill
wss continued in the Senate yesterday af-
ternoon until 3:25 o'clock, when the alb
sence of quorum caused an adjournment.
After The Stars report of the proceed
ings was closed Mr.. Caffery said in reply
to a question from Mr.. White, that it was
his opinion that if the United States should
build the canal under the pending BILL in
the face of the Clayton Bulwer treaty, the
canal would be absolutely neutral 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 COM
pany.
Mr.. White expressed the opinion that the
interests of the human race demand the
construction of 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 infringing upon the rights of
other nations, and fntimated that the canal
might be built and negotiations with other
countries conducted later.
During his speech Mr. Caffery referred to
the statement which had been made re-
peatedly that the opposition to the canal
was fostered and maintained by those who
We're behind the transcontinental railroads
as supporters. This charge he repudia ted,
he could be supposed to be guilty of it.
MI Caffery practically had concluded his
speech when Mr.. McLaurin Is c. raised
the point of no quorum. A call of the roll
developed the presence of only twenty nine
members, seventeen less than a quorum.
ON motion of Mr.. Plat Comm, who said
1t was evident that no quorum could be Sc
cured. the Senate, at 3:25 pm, adjourned.
Separation of Church and State.
A petition was laid before Congress yes
terday from the Rev. James II. Ross in
behalf of the home missionary societies of
the evangelical Protestants of the United
States opposing the reopening of the In
dian contract school question, as urged by
Cardinal Gibbons and the archbishops of
the Catholic Church. The petition asks
Congress to adhere to its announced nom
sectarian appropriation policy, and con-
cludeS: We not only protest against re-
opening the question of sectarian appro-
priations, now closed by congressional ac-
ton, but We petition that the general gov
eminent now adopt a definite. permanent
and uniform principle, in accord with the
spirit of the United States Constitution,
for advancing education among the In
dams on the basis of the American free
common school system. In order that there
be no departure from the American princi-
pie of keeping separate and distinct the
functions of church and state.''
Want Free Trade With Us,
A petition was yesterday received by the
Senate from the American Association Of
Porto Rico asking for the establishment
of free trade relations between that island
and the United States and the abrogation
of the tariff established by the military
authorities, and also for the retirement of
the Porto Rican currency and the subSti-
tuition of the money of the United States
They represent that the present tariff sys-
tenn discriminates against the interests Of
American citizens. A copy of the resolu-
lions was also sent to the President