Evening star., 1900-05-02
A DRAMATIC SCENE
Bitter Words Exchanged in the
House of Representatives.
CANNON RESENfS HEPBURN'SREMARKS
Excitement During Canal Bill De-
bate.
MR.. GALLINGER ON PENSIONS

When the House met today. on motion of
Mr. Hepburn Gowa), in charge of the Mica
ragua canal bill, general debate upon that
bill was closed and the bill was read for
amendment under the five-miBute rule.
Mr. Hepburn offered the committee
amendment TO substitute the word pro
tect" for defend in the first section
Mr. Mann Gll), a member of the inter-
state commerce committee, said he favored
a canal built owned and fortified by the
United States
Mr. Underwood (Ala) said he earnestly
favored the building of the canal. No gem
tleman could be found on the floor who
would come out openly, he said, and de-
clare his opposition to the project. Yet, he
said, there was opposition strenuous anu
dangerous. but concealed and indirect
The amendment was then adopted
Mr.. Parker (N.JD offered an amendment
TO strike out that portion OF the Dill unit
ing the Presidents selection to the Mic
dragUa route.
This amendment called forth protest
from Mr.. Hepburn, who declared that IL
intended to revive interest in the Pan
anna route which had caused one of the
"foulest scandals in the history of the
modern world. He charged that the ennis
saries of this discredited corporation were
seeking to Unload the enterprise on the
American people. Much he trusted the
President. he would not trust any chief ex-
ecutive with unlimited means at his dis
pOsal to make the choice of routes of the
canal.
Mr.. Burton (Ohio) declared very emphat-
ically that he was not in favor of the Pam
anna canal route, but plain business sense
demanded a proper investigation and eX-
animation of both routes.
The Parker amendment was defeated-3i
TO 81
Mr.. McCuIIoch (Ark.) offered an amend
ment to insert the words ''fortify, garri-
SON between the words construct and
and Defend He said he desired that the
language of the bill should be unequivocal,
and should make plain the purpose of Con-
gress to abrogate the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty.
Mr. Shafroth tCol) heartily supported the
amendment
canal he said He did not think the peo-
pie wanted the government to construct
simply a commercial canal The canal for
war purposes would double the strength of
the American navy.
An Exciting Scene.
One of the most exciting scenes of the
present session Of Congress occurred late
In the afternoon, when Mr.. Cannon of Illi-
nois and MIR. Hepburn Of Iowa clashed over
the canal bill. For few minutes the ex-
Ghange Of compliments between the two
distinguished republicans was very lively
anu some bitter words We're passed. At one
time the situation looked so threatening
that a Kentucky member Mr. Wheeler
rose To point of order, but the chairman
of the committee of the whole, Mr. Cooper
Of Wisconsin. decided that nothing unpar-
Lamentary had been said, and the dispute
was permitted TO continue.
W men Mr. Wheeler attempted to inter
rupt the disputants there were cries
throughout the House of oh no. let them
alone. Let them go it
The members of the House crowded the
aisles around the republican side and came
trooping in from the cloak rooms and COM
mittee rooms. where the news of the bitter
quarrel That was proceeding upon the floor
quickly spread.
The quarrel was an echo of the warm ex-
change Of words which passed between the
same gentlemen yesterday. Mr.. Hepburn
referring 10 yesterdays statements, said OF
Mr. Cannon:
Il believe there are interests in his own
city OF Chicago. men who went down to
Nicaragua last year for the purpose of
securing franchises for the purpose of SELL
ing 10 the government, and that they said
before the committee of which 1 a
member they were ready to sell. l think
those people are ready TO attack my SIN
certty about this matter. | think it alto
gether likely that the Panama Company
who are trying now TO unload or to delay
this measure. might do that, and 1 would
ask the gentleman now if he has been re-
ferrins 10 others that have seen fit to
speak evil of me. if he has not had inter-
views with some of these men"
Mr. Cannon said he knew no man con-
hected with the Panama canal, officially
or unofficially. and had never known one
Of Nh fnem; Hepburn said that was sufficient ,or
him.
Mr.. Cannon sprang to his feet and point
Ing his fingers at Mr. Hepburn. said: Can
the gentleman say much?"
Yes, sir replied Mr.. Hepburn, except
as they have appeared before me in COM
mittee, | can say that"
Appeal to the Record.
Now. Mr. Chairman" continued Mr..
Hepburn. for what I said OF the gentle
man. 1 appeal to the Record, and / say
that on all occasions that he has had the
opportunity by insolent interference he
has attempted to stop the progress of this
great work Twice in the last five years
his committee that never gave a word of
attention or study to the subject have in
terVened and have secured a divergence
have stopped the project under the pre-
tence OF more Information, the same plea
made then that was made here yesterday
j appeal to the Record, nothing more than
that 1care nothing about what inter
views the gentleman may have had"
say this to him." continued Mr.. Hep
burn IF he means to father II. that the
man who said | was not acting in good
faith. that | had any other purpose than of
securing at the earliest moment the canal
@hCh would most benefit US. | say that he
He'd. and. If II was parliamentary to do IL,
4 would say the man who attempted to
give currency to it by repetition here was a
IL.
In the impressive silence which followed
Mr. Hepburn's vigorous statement uttered
IN a loud voice, ringing with anger and re-
sentiment, Mr.. Cannon rose 10 his feet
Mr. Chairman he said slowly Il would
ask the gentleman before he sits down TO
whom he referred in the last clause"
L say taiS, responded Mr.. Hepburn .if
You Intended by anything you said to i'm
pute 10 me talSehood or bad faith
Al this point Mr.. Wheeler rose to a point
of order. but the chair overruled him
Il Will say continued Mr. Hepburn
that IL was gross and violent Injustice
to me, and the gentleman from Illinois was
the only one that l could assume, by that
underhand manner. tried TO make such an
imputatiOn upon me-"
As Mr.. Hepburn took his seat Mr. Cam
non again resumed the floor.
Now, Mr.. Chairman" said Mr.. Cannon
II may be recognized a moment | have
seen In my time other men and members
Trying TO play the cuttletish act and muddy
the waters and swim away
Let me interrupt the gentleman" said
MT Hepburn, springing to his feet ito
say 10 the gentleman that L propose no
cuttIensh movement here. l do not propose
10 muddy the waters and get away am
responsible for what l have said to the
gentleman and to this House 1 have
weighed my words. and while thew are
earnest, / know what they mean r.