The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-16
The Division on the Appeal Equal on
Both the Political Sides.
M'ENERY MAKES A STATEMENT.
He Denies Senator Hoar's Assertion
That His senate Resolution Was in
the Interests of Louisiana Su-
gar PIanters-Hopes IL May
Eenefit Them Never
theless.

House to-day settled the fate of the
Nicaragua canal bill In this Congress by
refusing TO override the decision of the
Chair in Committee Of the Whole when
the Chair held that the canal bill offered
as an amendment 10 the sundry civil bill
by Mr.. HeDourn was out of order. The
friends OF the Nicaragua bill were very
confident yesterday and to-day that they
would triumph. but after four hours Of
debate the Chair was sustained-l27 TO
10s
Mr.. Bailey, the Democratic leader, made
all argument in favor Of the view that the
amendment was in order. He desired to
vote upon that proposition because he
realized that sooner or later the House
would be compelled to choose between
this proposition and one 70 allow a pri-
vate corporation with government credit
10 build tho canal II the canal was 20
be built by the government Il must be
based upon the theory that the canal
was necessary for the support OF our
military and naval defence. Otherwise
II the government could buil1 foreign
waterways in foreign territory why could
IL not come back home and build rail-
roads for the benefit Of Interstate Com
merce.
Mr.. Dockery (DemocraD, Of Missouri,
gave notice that II this amendment was
declared in order he would offer an
amendment 10 o.. 10 prOvl4e Tor the issue
OF enough additional legal-tender notes
10 meet the entire cost OF the cOnstruc-
tion Of the canal. Mr.. Dockery declared
himself In favor Of building the Nicara-
qua canal. because II would aid the ma
tional defence and promote commercial
expansion. which he preferred to terri
torial expansion.
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES.
Mr.. Dockery hinted strongly at innu-
ences outside the hall, the same influence
substantially which We're back of the
Hanna-P Payne subsidy bill. These infu-
ences, he said, insisted that fve mil
lions should go to certain gentlemen VINO
were interested in the Maritime Canal
Company. In conclusion, he warned the
members on his side OF the House that
they could not afford In the closing days
OF the session to lend themselves to such
an enterprise.
Mr. Moody Republican,. Of Massachu-
setts, made technical argument in sup
port of the point of order, citing num-
erOus precedents He, too, favored the
construction Of the canal. but he pro-
tested against being forced into a corner
and compelled in violation Of the rules
to accept proposition in the closing
hours OF this Congress the effect Of which
no man could foreteil.
Mr.. Grosven0r fRep. OF ohio vigorous
ly conteaded that the point of order was
not well taken. lie could not under
stand he said. why members should get
excited because the representatives Of
the people were making an honest effort
to DO that which all political parties had
sworn they would do Tor the last fiye
years.
Continuing, Mr.. GrosvenOr said that
this bill would not have been offered as
an amendment TO his bill had not the
chairman OF the Appropriations Commit
tee announced that neither the canal bill
nor the ship subsidy bill would receive
at this session. He con-
tended that the work OF constructing the
canal was now in progress within the
meaning of the rule II this amendment
was not placed upon the pending bill,
he declared that the grandchild OF no
member present would live long enough |
TO see the canal built.
MAY AS WELL GIVE UP.
Mr. Cannon denied emphatically that |
The failure 70 break down this rule meant |
the abandonment Of the construction OF |
the canal by the United States But Mr |
grosvenor reiterated Il, and said II this ]
Effort failed he favored the passage OF d |
Joint resolution TO inform the nations OF |
he earth that we had given up the pro- |
ect and would welcome the building OF |
he canal upon the terms upon which the ]
suez canal was built.
Al the conclusion Of Mr.. Gr0svenors |
ipeech, the chairman OF the Committee I
If the Whole, Mr. Hopkins, announced /
hat he was ready to rule. When order |
lad been procured, he made a careful
md elaborate ruling, In which he point
q out that the question presented was
,urely parliamentary one. He reviewed
he arguments adduced on poth sides,
lted precedents and concluded by sus-
aiming the point or order against the
amendment.
Mr. Hepburn Immediately arose and
ntered an appeal from the decision OF
ne Chair Mr.. Hepburn said he was
Wiling TO allow the appeal 10 be dec del
Without further debate, but Mr.. Fleming
Dem. OF Georgia) insisted upon being
card In favor OF sustaining the decision
( the Chair. The rule I'm question, he
rgued. was the shield and protection VI
he minority.
THE CHAIR srrsT,TcrD.
On a rising vote, the Chair was sus-
ned f52 &c 1Is Mr.. Hepburn loudly
smanding tellers.
The vote by tellers confirmed the ris-
g vote. The Chair was 81 stained. l27
100, and the amendment was ruled out
No record is made OF the vote n Com
ittee OF the Whole. Party lines were
)t adhered TO- the division in favor and
opposition TO sustaining the Chairs
scision being about equal on both sides
the political aisle.
The reading OF the sundry civil bill was
len continued.
The appropriation for the Deep Water
ays Committee was increased from
D 009 20 $50 000 on motion Of the Appro-
ation Committee.
After completing ten additional pages
the bill. the committee rose
The conference report on the Newport
ews public building appropriation. in,
'eased from $4,000 to $4,000. was
opted
AZ 5 p NJ. the House adjourned.
FOR A VOTE ON THE BILL.
After the defeat OF the amendment
iding the Hepburn Nicaraguar canal
A. n4.~