Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-18
SAID TO BE ABSURD
Mr.. Morgan on Offer of the New
Panama Company.
RESOLUTION FOR an INVESTIGATION
Mr. TiIlman Says South Regrets
Result of War.
100000 FOR CoNFEDERATEs

Soon after the Senate convened today Mr..
MORGAN chairman of the committee on IN
teroceanic canals. introduced a resolution
directing the committee on lnteroceahlc
canals TO investigate the report that COM
hination has been formed having for Its
purpose the monopoly control of any
ship canal or railway across the lsthmus
Of parien. at Panama, or in the states of
Nicaragua and Costa Rica.' The commits
zoe is directed to ascertain whether the
continuation or agreement is obstructive OF
he policy of the United States to own and
control /; ship canal across the lsthmus of
Dar:en or whether it is designed or con-
templated by such agreement TO interfere
with or to hinder obstruct the United
states government in its diplomatic or
other intercourse with any foreign govern
.nent on the subject of a ship canal across
such isihmus whether such action on the
part of such persons would have such ef-
.ect if it is or shall hereafter be carried
into execution"
The committee is also instructed to in
oIire whether the combination has the
sanction of the laws of the state of New
Jersey or any other state of this Union.
and whether under such laws such cor
poration or other association of persons
claims the authority To interfere with the
laws. or to control the rights of the people
of France any other foreign country in
respect Of any isthmain canal. or to exer-
else any corporate or other powers, right
fully or otherwise, in every such country,
and whether the liberation of such pre-
tensions and efforts by the government of
the United States is calculated to embar
rass the friendly intercourse of the United
States with France or any other foreign
country
Another point upon which the committee
is directed 10 make inquiry is as TO whether
the furtherance Of this scheme is being pro-
NOTED by the use Of money or stock. The
committee. is authorized to sit during the
recess ot-Congress.
Denounced as Absurd.
Discussing the resolution. Mr.. Morgan
said the old Panama Canal Company was
chartered under the laws of France. 1t
continued in operation until about four
years ago. and then taken into court.
syndicate purchased the assets of the
OLD company and reorganized under the
of the New Panama Canal Com
pany. This syndicate, Mr. Morgan pointed
out, had offered To permit the United States
to share in its work so far as it was able
without violating its concessions which
would nave 10 be scruDulously observed.
This proposition was made when 1t was
realized that the new Panama Canal Com
pany was approaching bankruptcy. 1t
could not be considered by the United
States. he said. without involving the
Hited States in serious trouble with
France. as the 500 or more French share
holders in the old company would also
snare in the new company, and the United
States could not. anyhow, identify itself
with a corporation organized as had been
suggested, under the laws of New Jersey or
some other state.
The proposition" declared Mr. Morgan
Is 80 absurd that it would not receive a
minutes consideration were ii not that it
is being pressed at every possible point and
al every possible moment of time
Mr.. Morgan said that late as April 80
l!Nt' this foreign corporation. bankrupt and
discredited. had addressed a letter 10 the
President Of the United States in relation to
bill pending in the House of Representa-
tves. This queer conduct the part of
the new Panama Company had led him
tMorgan) to make investigation of this
and two other companies organized under
the laws of New Jerscy-one with a capital
of S21.tr@,opo and the other with a capital
of Slb.'gu,'Nt-to take over canal conces-
sions and rights. He invited the attention
Of the Senate to the charters of the cor
pOrations which he submitted, as he be-
leved it the duty of Congress to make
rigid investigation of the subject and break
down and check the greatest and most
comprehensive monopoly ever organized I'M
Gcr>the laws of New Jersey.
1t is most startling proposition adj
vanced by these marauders," continued
Senator Morgan. He said he did not pro-
pose to delay action upon the pending
Nicaragua canal bill until this investigation
was concluded THE object of the inquiry
proposed. he said. lis to enable the Presi-
dent of the United States to check escape
from and destroy the cOnspracy-founded
In fraud and corruption and arrogance
against the highest rights and privileges OF
the people and government of the United
States"
The resolution was referred
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Morgan's re-
marks Mr.. Spooner tWis) called up and
had passed bill to provide for the holding
of term of the circuit and district courts
Of the United States at Superior. Wis.
Mr. McCumber on Philippines.
Mr.. McCumber On. d. then addressed the
Senate the Philippine question. He said
II to our commercial. financial and
naval interests to retain the islands. To
throw aside the wonderful opportunity
offered was. he thought. to surrender all
claim to far-see;ng craftsmanship
In the course of his remarks, Mr.. Nc
Cumber referred. incidentally. to the civil
war and what he believed to be the present
position and feeling Of the southern people
toward the Union. He believed that all
the people of the Union We're happy now to
be under one flag and in one government.
Soufhrons Regret Defeat.
In taking exception to Mr.. McCumbers
statement Mr. Tillman IS. c. declared that
not 10 per cent of the white people OF the
south were today glad that the confederacy
had been defeated or what they fought for
had been rejected
in fact. he thought % per cent OF the
southern people We're sorry they had been
Does the senator from South Carolina
mean 10 say" interjected Mr.. Wolcott,
that % per cent of the southern white
peop.e regret that they were defeated and
that this Union was not divided?"
We'll" replied Mr.. Tillman. perhaps 95
par cent is too high
Continuing, Mr. McCumber expressed the
opinion that 30 per cent Of the people of
ths United States We're proud today that
they are American citizens and are living
under the stars and stripes.
TgrrfTa Of h linn int r ted
To say that he could not corroborate the
statement of Mr.. Tillman.
A minute later, when Mr.. Cafery LA }
rose to make an inquiry Mr.. Wolcott asked
him il he shared in the opinion that 95 per
cent of the southern white people regretted
now that the rebellion had failed and that
the Union remained undivided.
81 do not" replied Mr. Caffery.
Mr.. McCumber. in concluding his re-
marks. expressed his faith In the American
people and in their ability wisely and pa
triotically and justly to meet the new prob
lens presented to them. and he said he was
ready 20 go before the people in the ap-
preaching campaign on that proposition.
Post Omce Bill.
The post office appropriation bill was