The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-03
THE VOTE STOOD 225 TO s5.
lIysIy Personal TIT Between Representatives
Cannon and Hepburn.
MOTION TO RECOMMIT VOTED DOWN.
Il Was 0fIersi By Nj. fuTion and Was ReIestsd,
the Voc Standing So Ia FHI to III
Against The lna Result.


Washington, May 3--The House yes
terday, at the conclusion Of the most
stormy debate OF the present session of
Congress. passed the Nicaraguan Carsl
bill by the overwhelming vote of 225 to
IS. All attempts to retain in the bill the
language OF the original bill for the
fort fication OF the canal and TO still
further strengthen the language on that
line were baked and the victory OF Mr..
Hepburn and the committee were COM
plete. A motion to recommit the bill
other bill leaving the selection of the
route to the president was buried under
an adverse vote OF 81 TO III.
Mr.. Cannon. chairman or the appro-
priation committee. and Mr.. Burton of
Ohio. chairman or the river and harbor
committee. made game fight 10 pre-
vent action at this session, but their
appeals were in vain and the members
roue rough h-shod over all their argu-
ments and protests. Much excitement
reigned throughout the uay, and several
times bitter words were used. The ex-
element reached its climax in a highly
dramatic scene between Mr.. Hepburn
&nd Mr.. Cannon, when the former used
the word "lie" and liar" as he de-
nounced the chairman OF the appropri-
alton committee for attempting TO dis
honor him. The House was in rotous
confusion during the quarrel Members
crowded the aisles and the situation at
one time was so threatening that Mr..
Wheeler OF Kentucky (Dem.) sought to
pour oil on the waters by rails ng point
OF order. but he was not upheld and the
two irate members carried their war to
the very hilt. There was show OF
peace at the close OF the incident, but
the feeling between the two men ran
80 high that the mutual retractions
which generally follow such incidents
were but the cloaks for the keenest and
most cutting sarcasm.
PROCEEDINGS.
When the House met, on motion of
Mr.. Hepburn Ua.) in charge of the
Nicaraguan Canal bill, general debate
upon that bill was closed and the bill
was read for amendment under the five
minute rule.
Mr.. Hepburn offered the committee
amendment tosubstitute the word pro
tect" for defend" in the first section.
Mr.. Mann (Ill.), a member OF the
Interstate commerce committee. said
he favored a canal built. owned and
fortified by the United States.
Mr.. Underwood (Ala.) said he favored
the building Of the canal. No gentle
man could be found on the floor who
would come out openly. he said, and
declare his opposition TO the project.
Yet, he said there was opposition, stren-
uous and dangerous but concealed and
indirect.
The amendment was then adopted. Mr..
Parker IN. J.) offered an amendment
to strike out that portion OF the bill
limiting the presidents selection to the
Nicaraguan route.
Mr.. HEPBURN'S AMENDMENT.
This amendment called forth a pro-
test from Mr.. Hepburn, who declared
that II was intended to revive interest
IN the Panama route which had caused
one OF the "foulest scandals" In the
history Of the modern world. He
charged that the emissaries OF this dis
credited corporation were seeking to
unload the enterprise on the American
people. Much as he trusted the presi-
/. dent, he would not trust any chief ex-
ecutive with unlimited means at his
disposal to make the choice Of routes
of the canal.
Mr.. Bhrton to) declared very EN-
phatically that he was not In favor OF
the Panama canal route, but in plain
bussneHs sense demanded a proper in
vesfisati0n and examination of both
routes.
Mr.. McCulloch (Ark.) offered an
amendment to insert the words, for
fify, garrison between the words
construct and and defend" He said
he desiredfthat the language OF the
bill should make plain the purpose OF
congress TO abrogate the Clayton-Bul-
Mr.. shafroth (col) supported the
amendment.
THE MAIN THING.
Mr.. williams (Miss) said he would
like TO see the word "fortify" in the
etruct the canal and wipe out 10000
miles OF ocean voyage and freight
charges In proportion The American
government In the event OF war would
not hesitate to fortify and defend the
canal
A dramatic and sensational scene
then occurred between Mr.. Cannon.
chairman OF the appropriation COM
mittee, and Mr.. Hepburn. In charge Of
the Nicaragua canal bill. Mr. Cannon
resented some remarks made Tuesday
night by Mr.. Hepburn. impugnng his
(cannof,'s) sincerity. Mr.. Cannon spoke
under excitement, saying he had just
read Mr.. Hepburn's attack upon him.
As he proceeded. he recalled an intima-
tion that had come TO him OF which he
had spoken previously that those who
were promoting this bill were doing
20 TO delay the canal. Yet. he said. he
had acquitted Mr.. Hepburn OF any such
Intention He then frankly stated that
Mr.. Hepburns name had been con-
nccted with the rumor.
The excitement grew as Mr. Cannon
proceeded. Mr.. Hepburn's face was
white and his words came IN a perfect