New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-11
THE NICARAGUA CANAL PROJECT

THE NICARAGUA CANAL PROJECT.
AR Cannon colgratulates Congress and the
country on this showing and also on the fact
that Notwithstanding the war, close attention
was given to the ordinary expenditures of the
Governme1 IT. which is. he thinks unusual He
cites the defeat OF the provision for the con-
struction of the Nicaragua Canal which the
Senate attempted TO get through in connection
with the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill, as an
instance OF the success If this watchfulness on
the part Of the House. "If" he says on TINS
point 1.-The Senate bill or any measure proposed
had been enacted. the United States would nave
paid SJ.O0000O for worthless concession ana
would have been committed by law to the con-
struction Of a ca lal along the Nicaragua ROUTE
and ;nder such conditions it would have been
compelled before we threw a spadeful or earth
or in any way began actual construction to
have acquired by treaty from Nicaragua ana
Costa Rica the territory whereon to construct
the canal and the right to construct IT.
To this remark he adds the following Such
LEGISLATION would have delayed and embar-
rassed the construction OF the lsthman canal
The Unit I'd states cannot afford 10 enter upon
this great work unless 1t has acquired by treaty
a zone Of territory whereon to construct inc
same Fortunately. the House OF representa-
tives resisted the proposed legislation. ana the
contest between the Senate and House resulted
finally in the only practical provision possible
viz the appropriation or @I,Vp'I' O. IN '.'
the President to make full aud co'iniete ln',5-
tigation Of the isthmus, with ..ew TO the
future construction OF a canal across the same.
particularly the Paoama and Nicaragua routes
and to report ConSr ass the result. with ms
recommendations In the premises
CA1rsEs FOR CONGRATULATIONS
Referring in general way to the legislation
Of Congress. Mr.. Cannon says during the
whole of the four years covered by Mr.. Cleve-
eHa ri
Industrial condition Of the country was calam-
itous. and its contemplation does not bring sat
,sfaction to any American citizen. But the
1.vth Congress. beginning with the Admins
tration Of william Mckinley and promptly
called in extraordinary session as promptly
enacted legislation which has yielded the addi-
tional revenues needed to pay the ordinary eN-
penses Of the Government. and has at the same
time protected American labor. with the en-
actment Of that legislation hope ana cohluthr,e ,
struck hands and the condition oi the NIi,ie '
country improved and has continued 10 improve
from that time to the present. Labor is now
universally employed with increased wages. ana
with such employment the means die s"PPi''N
for increased consumption.
In addition without taking time TO discuss
in detail the causes that led thereto congress
declared war against Spain, and the prompt ana
decisive successes Of the Army ana Navy upon
land and sea have never been equaHed any
where in history. The great expenditures rem
dered necessary by the war requred the f'T1 ,bst
ment Of additional revenue legislation ana thdl
legislation Is now bringing into our treasury
an additional SlUOWWNW Per annun
THE vast increase Of the Navy and the crea-
tion ~ an Army OF a quarter Of a million men,
together with the increase OF taxation nave
not in any appr-cidble degree checked our m
dustrial advan,A which began coincidentaly
with the incoming Of the present Adminlstrd-
tfon and the LNth Congress
In conclusion. Mr.. Cannon declines 10 discuss
future legislation. saving: II prefer rather TO
await the logic Of events and the fun informa-
tion that will doubtless come, as nope pc
tween now and the organization IN DeGeHiptI
next OF the newly elected Congress. But vent
ure the assertion and prediction that the thlteu
States could not if it would, and would not II IL
could part with the territories acquired from
Snain bv the Treaty Of Peace. shirk Its du-
ties and RESPONSIBILITIES touching them.