The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-02


The House in Committee Of the Whole
devoted yesterday to the discussion Of
House bill 253S TO provide for the con-
struction of canal connecting the waters
Of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts" The
consideration Of the bill was begun at 1915
O'Clock At 500 the House took a recess
till and remained in session until 1880.
The bill will be taken up today directly
after the morning business.
The House. before going into Committee
OF the Whole for the consideration Of the
bill, INDUCED in a brief discussion over
the division of time between the friends
and opponents of the measure. The con-
diticns were somewhat complicated b. the
fact that Representative Shackleford Of
Missouri, who made the minority report
and who would naturally control the time
for the minority favored immediate con-
struction Of the canal, just as do the ma
jority, but differed from the majority only
as to the phraseOlogy Of the bill
Messrs. Cannon Of Illinois and Fletcher
Of Minnesota, who oppose the passage Of
position Of the time allotted the minority,
but the Speaker ruled that under the cir
cumstances it would be subject TO the
control Of the Chair.
Nr. Hepburn's Position.
The proposition which Mr.. Hepburn ad-
vanced was that the time should be divided
between those making the majority and
minority reports. Mr.. Cannon maintained
that time should be allowed to those who
are opposed to canal legislation in any
form at this session. Mr.. Shackleford said
he believed that no member could be
found who opposed a trans-oceauic canal
Before this question was determined. Mr.
Hepburn obtained unanimous consent that
from s to 10:30 2. m. should be given 10
debate on the bill. II was finally agreed
that the Chairman Of the Committee Of the
Whole should determine the questions OF
time as they should arise The House
then went into Committee OF the Whole
with Mr.. Cooper OF Wisconsin in the chair.
and the Clerk reported the bill
Mr.. Hepburn then sent 10 the Clerks
desk committee amendment changing
the phrases defend a canal" to protect a
canal" and such fertilization for defence
as will be required" to such provisions
for defence as may be necessary"
Mr.. Hepburn then addressed the House
He said that the subject OF a canal con-
Meeting the waters OF the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans is one that for more than
half century has engaged the attention
OF the American people. Yet there was
always some person or some party who
would oppose and sidetrack the PROPOSE
tion.
Il was now one-haif a century since the
project OF an interoceanic canal was first
broached. Since then volumes had been
written and thousands Of speeches had
been made. but this was the frs, day bin
to carry such a project into effect had re-
ceived the attention Of the House OF Rep
resentatives. There had always been some
way to defeat action. always some party
in interest that did not want the particular
project proposed or at that particular time.
lie recalled how. five years ago. petition.
signed by 597 members. for the considera-
iion OF a canal bill had been sidetracked.
and how twice since then the AppropTia-
1ions Committee had shunted of The main
proposition with Appropriations for investi-
cations
And now again today" be said. we
see some OF these gentlemen. notably the
gentleman who has twice before defeated
action. standing here protesting that this
is not the auspici0us moment"
MIR. Hepburn, in reviewing the history
Of the canal movement told Of the various
routes located by engineers He referred
TO surveys made by Col o. W Chflds in
1850; by A. G. Menocal. under the direc-
tion OF the Maritime Canal Company: by
Lieutenant Colonel (now Brigadier GeneraD
Ludlow and a commission in 1895. and the
one undertaken By Admiral Walker Colonel
Hams, and Prof Haupt two years ago.
Speaking OF the report Of the Walker com
mission. Mr. Hepburn said
Their report in all Of its ample details
has just been laid before US. together with
the reports Of a large number Of scientists
and skilled engineers called to their I'd I
All agree that the canal can be construct
ed with all OF its appurtenances within l
reasonable limits Of cost. These reports /
above referred to. the opinions Of the en- I
gineers and scientists believed to Pc en-
tirely competent for their work. Justify 4
your committee in recommending the un- /
dertaking OF the enterprise as one that is
entirely practicable. and thar can be com
pleted for a sum Of money the expendi-
ture Of which will be wise" "
Mr.. Hepburn attacked the operative
force OF the Clayton Bulwer Treaty No
effort had been made by either Of the con-
tracing parties to carry out its proyis-
Ions He quoted Secretary Marcy Presi-
dent Pierce, Secretary Frelinghuysan. Sec
retary Blaine. and others to sustain rhis
position.
Mr.. Hepburn told the story OF the vari- |
nus concessions to the old Atlas COMPANY
the Maritime Canal Company and others
He assailed the feasibility OF the Panama 4
Canal. He said that this route presented |
problems that had not been /
solved. Besides there was no assurance /
that the United States could control the ca /
nal. There were s25e.O00. .000 Of stock in the |
canal scattered all over France i had been |
a favored investment with the people Of |
France.
II represented the savings OF the poor |
and their only hope OF a future c0mpe- /
tency, and they would not let it go. The l
United States. ne said. were now entering 1
on the most intense struggle the nations /
OF the world had ever seen for the com |
merce OF the world. and he thought the 4
construction Of the canal would be the 4
greatest step America could take toward 4
the control Of the trade OF the world /
especially If the American ship merchant /
could pass his ships through the canal I
free. The Liverpool merchant sending a 4
six thousand ton ship through the Suaz 4
Canal paid SIS. 600 tolls. and If a merchant /
did not pay any toll through the Nicara- /
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