New-York tribune., 1900-05-03
FOR NICARAGUA CANAL.
Tue HEPBURN BILL PASSED
BY THE HOUSE.
AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY RE.
CORDED FOR THE MEASURE AFTER
ONE OF THE HOTTEST FIGHTS
EVER KNOWN IN CONGRESS-.
RE-
lHY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE. ]


22' to 81 All attempts to retain in the bill the
provision of the original bill for the fortiaca-
ton of the canal and still further to strengthen
the language on that line were baked and
the victory of Mir Hepburn and the committee
was complete \ motion to reccmmit the bill
with instructions to report back another bill
leaving the selection of the route to the Pres-
dent was buried under an adverse majority Of
- to III.
Mr.. Cannon, chairman OF the Appropriations
Committee. and Mr.. Burton of Ohio chairman
of the River and Harbor Committee made a
game fight to stall off action at this session.
but their appeals were n vain and the men,
bers rode roughshod over all their arguments
and protests Much excitement prevailed
throughout the day. and several times bitter
words were used.
LEADERS IN y BITTER wRANGLE.
Naturalization fortifcation and all the other
political and technical problems raised by the
Canal bill dropped out of sight while rival pairs
of statesmen questioned each others sincerity OF
motive and impugned each others parliamentary
manners. Much of the debate was a running
fire of personal controversy. in which the frfc-
tons of the fight for canal legislation in the last
Congress took new life and bitterness Mr.
Hepburn, the chairman of the Interstate and
Foreign Commerce Committee and Mr. Cannon,
have been at swords points over the Canal bin
for several sessions Yesterday they exchanged
some vigorous thrusts, and, still snartng with
the wounds inflicted then, they were drawn again
this afternoon into even more personal and
heated conflict. Each seemed anxious to at
tribute the others attitude toward the Canal bill
to hidden ulterior motives. while equally anx-
iOus to repeI his opponents fnsinuatiOn of ind-
rection and insincerity maIiciousIy untrue
troversialists as Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Hepburn
get into a shirt sleeves argument some par
liamentary conventionalitfes are pretty certain
to be shocked and the members of the House
who crowded in to listen and clanOr to have
the fray go undisturbed by points of order
were rewarded by Witnessing the hottest en-
counter which has enIivened the records OF this
unusually belligerent and cOmbattve Congress
Mr. Cannon and Mr. Hepburn. however. are
old hands at rough and tumble oratory to
carry their differences beyond the immediate
contest in which they have been provoked In
deed. it may be doubted whether they meant to
give more than a Pickwickian turn some of
their fercer exchanges. Certainly the indie
cisive state in which the issue OF motive
left points to a realization on the part of each
contrOversaIist that his view of his rivals pur-
poses might possibly have suffered uncon-
scious though none the less unfair and in
furious distortion.
THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE
Mr.. Cannon resented some remarks made last
night by Mr.. Hepburn impugning his sincerity.
Mr. Cannon spoke under excitement. saying
he had just read Mr. Hepburn'S attack on him.
AS he proceeded he recalled intimation that
had come TO him of which he had spoken yes
terday that those who were promoting this bill
were doing to delay the canal Yet he said
he had acquitted Mr.. Hepburn of any such in
tention. To-day he frankly said that Mr.. Hep
burns name had been connected with the rumor.
Who was the author of the rUmor?' asked
Mr. Hepburn jumping to his feet.
"A newspaper man." replied Mr.. Cannon. 'T
do not know his name"
Continuing and speaking with great delibera-
tiOn, Mr. Cannon said he would have been salts
fed with the acquittaI ne gave Mr.. Hepburn
yesterday had not his doubts been aroused
My observation" said he, lis that when a man
is willing TO challenge the sincerity Of another
it is because he is turning the glass inward
upon himself 1 do not rise to justify my own
reputation for sincerity. Upon my record of
twenty-five years in public life I will stand
fall"
The excitement grew as Mr. Cannon pro-
ceeded. Mr.. Hepburn's face was white. and his
words came in perfect torrent when he
piled. He thought it entirely possible. he said,
that some one whose name could not be recalled
was lying about the Capitol IN the interest OF
their pet projects Interests in Mr. Cannon's
own city Of Chicago. he declared, were trying
20 sell things TO the Government. and he thought
it altogether likely that the Panama Canal Com
pany might be trying defeat this bill
Il know no man connected with the Panama
Canal Company" cried Mr.. Cannon fercely.
can the gentleman say as much?.'
Yes, except as they have appeared before my
committee" replied Mr.. Hepburn. who appealed
to the record for confirmation of what he had
said about Mr.. Cannon. Then. pausing for
a moment and looking squarely at Mr.. Cannon.
he proceeded: Il say this to hlm-if he fathers
the rumor that I have any other purpose to
serve 1 say he has liedr'
WILD EXCITEMENT AND DISORDER.
Quick as a flash. Mr.. Cannon asked Mr., Hep
burn to repeat his statement BY this time the
House was in a wild state of excitement and
confusion and Mr.. Wheeler. OF Kentucky at
tempted to call the disputants 10 order. but the
Chair said he had heard nothing unpariia-
mentary and Mr.. Hepburn proceeded:
Il say if the gentleman attempted to give cur
rency to the statement he did me gross injus-
tice by making such an underhanded imputa-
ton
Mr.. Cannon with flushed face. declared that
Mr. Hepburn was adopting the tactics OF the
cuttlehsh He seeks TO muddy the waters and
swim away
II am not seeking TO muddy the watersr' re-
torted Mr. Hepburn, passionately. Il am
sponsible for what l said 10 the gentleman here
and elsewhere. The gentleman tried TO dshonor
me- and resent it
Mr. Cannon protested that he had done
nothing of the kind; that he had treated the
gentleman from Iowa with great respect and
IYa1,