The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-03
HOUSE PASSED CANAL BILL.
NICARAGUAN MEASURE CARRIED
by VOTE OF 225 TO 35.

Cost of $40, 600, ,CO0-CIosing De-
bate Marked by Severe Personals
ties between Hepburn and Cannon,
and others.
Washington May 2.-The House to-day
at the conclusion of the most stormy de-
bate Of the present session of Congress,
passed the Nicaraguan canal bill by the
overwhelming vote of 225 TO S5.
All attempts to retain in che bill the
language of the original bill for the forth
f1eaton of the canal. and to still further
strengthen the language on that Line, were
balked and the victory of Mr.. Hepburn
and the committee was complete.
A motion to recommit the bill with in
structions to report back another bill,
leaving the selection of the route 60 the
President was buried under an adverse
majority of 50 to III.
Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the Appropria-
tons Committee, and Mr.. Burton of Ohio.
| chairman of the River and Harbors Com
mittee, made a game fight to stay Off ac-
ton at this session. but their appeals
| were in vain, and the members rode
roughshod over all their arguments and
protests.
Much excitement regned through the
day and several times bitter words were
used. The excitement reached its climax
in a highly dramatic scene between Mr.
Hepburn and Mr.. Cannon, when the for-
mer used the word 'lie'' and liar as he
denounced the distinguished chairman oe
the Appropriations Committee for at
tempting to "dishonor him." The House.
was in riotous confusion during the quar-
rel MQmbara o1 ha aIq mi thes
situation at one time was so threatening
that Mr.. Wheeler of Kentucky, Democrat,
sought to pour oil on the waters by rais-
Ing point of order. But he was not up
held and the two irate members carried
their war tc the very nilt.
There was a show of peace at the close
of the incident, but the feeling between
the two men ran so high that the mutual
retractions with which such Incidents
generally end, were but the cloaks for the
keenest and most cutting sarcasm.
The Bill as 1t Passed.
The bill as 1t passed the House is as fol-
lows
BE II enacted. etc, That the President
of The United States be and is hereby
authorized TO acquire from the states of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua, for and In be-
half Of the United States, control of such
| portion of territory now belonging to Co.'S
ia Rica and Nicaragua as may be desira-
BILE and necessary on which to excavate,
| contruct and protect canal of such depth
| and capacity as will be sufficient for the
movements OF ships of the greatest tom
mage and draft now In use, from point
near Greytown. on The Caribbean sea, via
Lake Nicaragua to Breto, on the Pacific
ocean; and such sum as may be necessary
| to secure such control is hereby appro-
priated, out of any money In the treas
ury not otherwise appropriated.
Section 2. That when the President has
I fINIr trrwls IA H.
| section l Referrel to he shall direct the
Secretary of War to excavate and con-
struct q canal and waterway from a point
on the shore OF the Caribbean sea near
Greytown, by way of Lake Nicaragua, to-
a point near Breto on the Pacific ocean.
Such canal shall be of sufficient capacity
and depth as that 1t may be used by ves-
| sells of the largest tonnage and greatest
| depth now In use, and shall be supplied
with all necessary locks and other appli-
ances to meet the necessities of vessels
passing from Greytown to Breto; and tho
Secretary of War shall also construct such
| safe and cofnmodlous harbors at the term-
ini of said canal, and such provision for
defense, as may be necessary for the
safety and protection Of said canal and
harbors.
Sec 3. That the President shall cause
such surveys as may be necessary for
said canal and harbors, and In the con-
struction of the same shall employ such
persons as he may deem necessary.
Sec. 4. That in the excavation and
construction of said canal the San Juan
river and Lake Nicaragua, or such parts
OF each as may be made available, shall
be used.
Sec. 5. That in any negotiations with
the states of Costa Rica or Nicaragua
the President may have. the President Is
authorized 10 guarantee to said states
the use of said canal and harbors upon
such terms as may be agreed upon, for
all vessels owned by said states or by
citizens thereof
Sec 6. That the sum Of $40, 1000 900 is
hereby appropriated, out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appropriate
ed toward the project herein contemplate
ed and the Secretary of War is further
hereby authorized to enter into a con-
tract or contracts for materials and work.
that may be deemed necessary for the
proper excavation, construction, complies
tion and defense of said canal 10 be paid
for as appropriations may from time to
time be hereafter made. not to exceed In
the aggregate $l40000.000."
"PrOtect" Instead of ''Defend.o
At the opening general debate was closed
and the bill read for amendment under
the five-rninute rule.
Mr.. Hepburn offered the COMMITTEES
amendment to substitute the word pro-
tect' for defend" in the first section. 1t
was adopted
Mr.. Parker OF New Jersey, offered am
amendment TO strike out that portion of
the bill limiting the Presidents selection
10 the Nicaragua route This amendment
called forth protest from Mr.. Hepburn,
who declared that it was intended TO re-
vive interest in the Panama route, which
had caused one of the "foulest scandals
i'm the history of the modern world He
charged that the emissaEies OF this dis
credited corporation were seeking to un-
load the enterprise ON the American peo-
pie. He would not trust any chief execu-
tive with unlimited means at his disposal
TO make the choice of routes OF the canal
Mr.. Burton of Ohio declared very em-
phaticaly that he was not in favor of
the Panama canal route but plain busi-
ness sense demanded a proper investiga-
ton and examination Of both routes.
The Parker amendment was defeated.
81 TO 81.
Mr.. McCulloch Of Arkansas offered an
amendment 60 insert the words "fortifv