The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-03

in my time other men and members try
| ing 10 play the cuttlefish act, and muddy
the waters and swim away.
| Mr. Hepburn-Let me interrupt the gen
| ueman to say that l propose TO cuitlefsh
movement here. / do not propose to mud
| dy the waters and get away. / am re-
| sponsible for what have said to the gen.
| ueman and TO this House. l have weighed
my words. and while they are EARNEST, l
know what they mean. / believe that he
| tried TO dishonor me here, and | resent it.
| ! want him to understand it.
Mr.. Cannon-Very well: will read what
the gentleman refers to again. HE then
/ read what was contained in the Record"
on the subject.l
When he had finished Mr.. Barham OF
California interjected "Will the gentleman
pardon me-"
Mr. Cannon (humorously)-The gentle
man is not IN this at this moment.
Mr.. Barham-I wanted TO get in
Mr.. Cannon-Just let me complete / .
Now. then. it is an open secret that in
many papers of this country statements
have been made touching the intentions of
the gentleman from Iowa. Now
Mr.. Hepburn-Mr. Chairman. l am not
willing that the gentleman should make
that statement. ] say il is untrue.
Mr.. Cannon.-I do not yield
Mr.. HepbUrn-Ther is a paper in Chi
cago that has :. paper represent
ing certain G in this con-
nection.
Mr. Cannon-Now, then. In view OF that
statement that the gentleman refers to,
ana in view of the statements which /
referred to here. / felt that l was doing
generous and praisero worthy act iE re-
ferring to Ii. and that statement came
from my heart, inspired with respect for
the gentleman from Iowa, rather than
from disrespect or hatred Judge of my
surprise. animated as | was. to read in the
Record" a few moments ago the. as
sault that he committed upon me, in my
absence. and then he says. and if the
gentleman says" while l did not say he
did, he says. he says" he referred 20 me
at this point, ''in promoting this bill he
seeks to delay the construction OF the
canal then the gentleman lied Yes; and
II the Lord was the devil. then the Lord
would be the devil. and SO forth. / dis
miss this whole matter. because | think
the sober. second judgment of the gen.le-
man from Iowa. when his partisanship for
this bill has had time to cool. will cause
him to take account of stock and see that
IL was his temper rather than his calm
Judgment that inspired the attack upon me
yesterday and today. IAppiause.l
Mr. Hepburn-Mr. Chairman, IN COM
mencement of that laudable enterprise to
please the gentleman, if it is parliament
tary to do it. l will withdraw the "and If,
and if, and if" lApplause.I
Mr.. Cannon-Well, the gentleman hav-
ing Withdrawn. can keep them withdrawn
il he chooses, and pursue that course that |
his own sense of honor and his own self |
respect shall dictate.
Mr.. Gibson and many mem5ers-Regular |
order. 49,
With this the incident closed. but the !
air OF the hall was charged with the cleo |
tricity of combat for some time after |
ward.
"A few moments later Mr.. Gaines re- |
ferred 70 his attempt earlier in the day |
TO get in question while Mr.. Mann was |
talking After reading from the Record"
Mr.. Mann's uneomplimentary statement,
Mr.. Gaines, with great vehemence, de- !
clared that the man who had uttered the !
words was devoid OF common deeency, |
and gentilty"
The Iliinos member had told him. Mr.
Gaines said. that he had come from the
South. and was Southern man, and he |
Inanked God that he was now 1,500 miles
from contact with the South
Mr.. Mann, coming down the aisle from
the cloak ROOM was greeted with ap-
plause, as he remarked that from any
ether gentleman the remarks just made
Mr.. Gaines they demanded no attention.
This refusal to take him seriously an
sered Mr.. Gaines, and amid shouts Of
aughter that nearly drowned his voice,
lie declared: Il do not withdraw a state
nent l made, and l [pounding the deskI
am responsible here and elsewhere for
what l say"
In Committee of the Whole.
When the House had disposed of the rou-
inc morning business and had resolved it,
elf into Committee of the Whole, Mr.
Hepburn moved that general debate be
;losed and that the bill be read for amend
nent under the minute rule. This was
lgreed to. Mr.. Hepburn offered the COM !
nittee amendment, substituting the word
protect for defend in the first section
dr. Mann opposed the amendment He be-
ieved that the canal should be owned, con-
rolled. and fortified by the United States.
dr. Underwood OF Alabama said he wanted
he canal built, though he recognized the
'ower of the opposition TO the bill The ;
irst committee amendment was adopted.
The committee amendment 10 section 2,
triking out the word "fortifications'' and I
Inserting the word provisions, was
greed 10 by vote of 80 TO Ga.
Mr.. Neville offered an amendment that
II contracts for the construction of the
/
Il the United States. and that so far as
ossible all labor employed be from the
'nited States. II was lost by a vote of 10
o 55
Section 3 OF the bill, reported by the
ommittee as an amendment, was adopted
-ithout division
Mr. Parker offered an amendment TO
trike out the clause limiting the Presi-
ent's selection to the Nicaragua ro.ate
ir. Hepburn opposed this amen aaent. Mr..
burton then spoke against the bill. The {
question on the pending amend.~aat was
ut and it was defeated by a voc OF 81
o 81
Mr.. McCulloeh of Arkansas offered an
amendment to insert the words "fortify,
between the words construct"
md ''and defend" He said ne desired
hat the language Of the bill should be un-
qIivocal, and should make plain the pur- {
'ose of Congress TO abrogate the Clayton
3ulwer Treaty.
Mr. Shafroth of Colorado supported this
mendment. He did not believe the people
wanted the Government TO construct sim
ly commercial canal. Il would double
he strength OF the American Navy
Mr.. Gillett opposed the amendment, :
rguing that the Bulwer Clayton Treaty
ias still in operation.
II was during the pendency Of the Nc
'ullcch amendment that the scenes be-
ween Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Hepburn and
lr. Gaines and Mr.. Mann occurred. Mr.. b
lcCulloch's amendment was defeated by
vote Of III TO Sc.
Mr.. Burton moved an amendment giving
he President specific authority to negoti-
te for the cession OF a strip CT land ten :
lilies wide for right Of way Mr.. Hep q
urn advised the committee that the lam l