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


Senator Morgan yesterday reiterated tC
Times reporter with great positiveness
.he belief that The Nicaragua Canal bill
viii get through the Senate practically
without opposition and without material
modification
Senator Morgan said the bill on Monday
would be considered by the Committee on
Inter-Oceanic Canals. Of which he is chair
man, and he believed it would be reported
unanimously. The other members Of this
committee are Senators Harris, Turner
culberson. Hawley, Sewell Platt Of New
York, Mcbride. and Hanna.
Il have not the least fear that my COM
mittee will try to kill the bill or in any
way attempt to weaken it," declared Sen
ator Morgan with enthusiasm. III we
can get report on it next week I think
we shall be able to rush it through this
session"
Further than this Senator Morgan could
not be induced to talk about the bill yes
terday.
A Times reporter talked with eight 9TH
er members Of the Senate about equally
divided between the parties, as TO the
probable fate OF the bill. and only one OF
this number, Senator Vest Of Missouri
spoke in the same optimistic vein as Sem
ator Morgan.
Il think the bill as il came from the
House will encounter no considerable op-
position in the Senate" said Senator Vest.
In this connection it is interesting to
note that about one-fourth Of the votes
cast against the bill in the House were
cast by Missouri Democrats. Judge ShackIe-
ford, the member OF the Missouri delega-
ton who succeeded the late R. p. Bland.
offered an amendment to the bill in the
House which sought to completely Ameri-
canize the project before it was enacted
into law. This amendment was voted
down
The effect OF my amendment" said
Judge Shacklef0rd yesterday. would have
been to eontravene the purpose Of the Hay
Fauncefote Treaty, and al the same time
formally abrogate the old Clayton -Bulwer
Treaty. Until the bill is invested with that
character shall never favor IT, I pro-
posed The amendment because believe the
American people viii never be in favor OF
expending the enormous amount Of money
involved in the enterprise unless il is 10 be
a strictly American c3ral-owncl outright
by this Government and fortified as we
may see ht to fortify it. without asking
Great Britain a single word about it,"
The opinion Of a member Of Senator Nor
gan's committee. who would not permit the
use Of his name a this time was similar
to Judge Shacklefords. Il shall uot vote
for the bin until il is amended along the
lines proposed by the Shackleford amend
ment." said. this Senator
But Senator Morgan declares that the
bill VIII Be unanimously reported by the
Committee on Inter Oceanic Canals" sug-
gested The Times reporter
II Senator Morgan believes that then
he is reckoning without his host, eN-
claimed the Senator
But suppose il should be shown in5is-
1utably that nothing short Of the present
oill could get through Congress Would
-ou then oppose it2" The reporter asked.
That puts an entirely different phase /
N the matter" was the reply I am
leartily in favor Of an American inter 4
'ceanic canal. and. OF course. e Senator
dorgan conyinoas me. when he submits
he Hepburn bill 10 our committee on Mon
ay that il is this or nothing. I may then
ote with him to report e. favorably."
Another Democratic Senator. Eno a'so
id net want his name used. said he hopeI .
he bill would be fsvorably reported ty
he committee and that Senator Morgan
'Ould push it so strong in the Senate as
o force test vote on IL at an early date
Il understand that when It gets before
he Senate Morgan viii force the fighting
n the bill and make the Administration
how its hand, said this Democratic sen
tor. I am aware, and so is every -dy +
lse who has given the subject close atten-
ion. that the Administration IS opposed
an ar4s.a =. f~aHy
ne hope OF preventing the cOnsummatio1 .
Z the enterprise the Hay Pauucefate
'reaty was framed. This cannot be shown
onclusively to the people until d bin ig-
oring altogether Great Britsin's claim 10
Onsideration in the matter is passed Is
congress and sent 70 the President FOR an
rovaL | am satisfied Mr.. Mckinley would
ave 70 veto It, much as he would fear
he result OF such an act: but be and his
srty could no longer claim that they we're
ot committed to partnership with Ell
land in this canal proposition"
When the information yesterday was
orne to Senator Allison by a friend that
enaior Morgan WAS confident OF forcing
he canal bill through at this session. sen
tor Allison is quoted as saying.
Senator Morgan is very much in car
est in this matter. but ] fear he is let
ing his enthusiasm run away with bis
He is az able man and a fire
euator but he Is not running the United
tates Senate at present The Senate is
ow in control Of the Republican party.
nd We do not propose 10 allow our fxer
urposes 10 be either shunted of on a tan
ent or arrested in development We want
, adjourn in six weeks or less time.and we
annot permit new legislation 10 be
rought forward and thus probably pro-
ing the session beyond the time we have
etermined upon bringing il 10 q close"
Senator Mason IS outspOken in his opuo-
tion TO the canal bill in its present shane
shall do all l can TO prevent its passage
the Senate" declared Mr. Mason. Il
n heartily in favor Of an isthmian inter
oesnie canal but II my voice and vote
an prevent il Great Britain shall moi be-
ken into partnership ia the c1Icrprisz.' 90
The substance OF discoura -ing remark +
ke the foregoing was communicated TO
enator Morgan, but did not shake his ,
)nhdence. 7 tell you again" exclaimed
he Alabamlan with renewed enthusiasm
that the bin will be favorably reported
the Senate al an early date and I do I
ot believe IL will encounter dangerous
position. / shall push it al every turn I
nd keep hammering away at It untu Z
q vote"