Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-03-03
PHOENIX, BRATTLEBORO FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1899

senators made minority report, opposing
the proposed increase. The latest phase of
the subject is presented in compromise
| planned by the party leaders in the Senate,
/ after comforting with the executive author
| tiles. The compromise proposes only
| slight permanent increase in the regular
army as given in detail and authorizes the
| President until July |, 1901, to maintain
the regular army at 90, 900 and to raise a
| force of not more than 50, 900 volunteer
infantry organized as 80 regiments. This
plan is now pending before the Senate.
The Nicaragua canal question also has
taken a prominent place in the work of
this session. At the outset Mr.. Morgan
had the subject made the unfinished bust
ness of the Senate, and with this right of
way it was kept constantly before the SEN
ate, when not in executive session, until
| finally passed. The essential feature of
the Morgan bill is in providing that the
United States shall participate in the CON
struction of the canal, subscribing for 925,-
600 shares at 800 each, out of a total of
| 900, COO and that the work of the Mari
time Canal company of Nicarauga in exc
cutting the work shall be practically under
the direction of the United States. When
this bill reached the House committee on
commerce, all after the enacting clause
was struck out, and what is known as the
Hepburn plan. drafted bv Representative
Hepburn of Iowa. chairman of the House
committee on interstate and foreign COM
merce, substituted. The essential feature
of the Hepburn substitute is in making the
canal exclusively government undertake
ing. 1t authorizes the President to acquire
by purchase from Nicaragua and Costa RIGA
the territory necessary ito excavate. CON
4
Such sum as is necessary for purchasing
the right of way is appropriated. The sum
of SI15.OOO 900 is appropriated for the
completion of the work authorized.
AS it was feared the lateness of IL g ses-
sion might prevent consideration of either
the Morgan bill or the Hepburn plan in the
House. various plans were adopted to sc.
cure action bv way of one of the general
appropriation bills. The first move of the
kind was when Mr.. Hepburn offered his
plan as an amendment to the sundry civil
bill. After animated discussion the amend
ment was ruled out of order and on an
appeal from this decision, the chairman,
Mr.. HOPKINS. was sustained The next
move was made in the Senate, when at the
instance of Mr. Morgan, the commerce
committee reported an amended form of
the Hepburn plan as an amendment To the
river and harbor bill The canal amend
ment was finally agreed TO bv the Senate
and the bill passed, 1t is now before the
House committee ON rivers and harbors
with the outcome in doubt on the canal
item and the bill as whole.
The bill providing for taking the 18th
census was first passed by the Senate and
provided a comprehensive plan for execut-
ing this important work. When the meas
ure reached the House a substitute was
passed. The House measure differs from
that of the Senate mainly in making the
census bureau an independent organization.
not under the interior department. and in
the method of appointments
An important measure which has passed
both houses and doubtless will become a