New-York tribune., 1900-04-14
THE HEPBURN CANAL BILL.
OBJECTION RAISED TO ITS CONSIDERATION
IN THE HOUSE.

Washington. April 1s.-In the House to-day Mr
Henburn of Iowa asked unanimous consent to set
aside May l for consideration Of the Nicaragua
Canal bill.
phatcally.
The House then proceeded with the regular order.
Following Mr. Burtons objection. Mr.. Hepburn
took steps TO overcome this opposition petition
to the Committee Rules was prepared, request
ing that body TO fix a time for taking up the
Canal bill. Mr.. Hepburn circulated the petition
on the Republican side, and up to the time OF ad-
journment had secured sixty-one signatures. He
said he considered this good showing consid-
ering the small attendance.
Mr. Adamson, who circulated the petition on the
Democratic side, said:
There is no opposition whatever on this side and
every present to-day has signed the petition.
If the attendance had been larger We would have
had many more signatures, but as It is the number
exceeds sixty and many more will be added as
fast as members can be seen.
Notwithstanding these efforts 1t intimated
pretty strongly in we'll informed quarters that the
Committee Rules not likely to bring in
special rule. The members of the committee de-
cned however, TO make any definite statement
the subject.
Mr. Burton whose objection attracted much at
tenion explained his in the following state
wish it dstiney unders9od the objeotion To- is is
consideration of the pending bill was made be-
"A
and now in full force: While its abrogation could
be accomplished by the passage OF this bill. such
foreign Powers 1t is also unnecessary because
the result could be obtained by the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty a measure which, though much
misunderstood. is nevertheless. a triumph OF
diplomacy.
second-It commits US to fortified canal. in
stead of a neutral canal. neutral canal is not
only In accordance with the general of
policy. but would best subserve own interests.
Thrd-There also serious objections TO the
alto 9f this bill which might M not
ent Commission. the first which has given COM
prehensiye and complete consideration to the SUBJ
Ject Of the construction of an nteroceanic canal.
should complete its work before route is
lected In the same line, 1t is desirable that pro-
vsional treaties be made with the countries con-
trolling each of the proposed routes namely Costa
Rica and Nicaragua on the hand. and Colom-
ba on the other hand To pass a bill committing
prevent us from obtaining as favorable terms for
right of way and control could readily be OBJ
tanned in case the question of the route should be
postponed
No loss could result from a postponement until
the next session, because extended examination will
be REQUIRED before a definite route can be safely
and judiCiOuSly selected. even If the general
should be chosen. Some five hundred men
at work making examination and exploration. This
work which is absolutely essential before the canal
is begun will require considerable time.
There is no desire on the part of those who
oppose the construction of canal. The Admin
istration and both political parties are committed
sirable that all necessary preliminaries in the way
of examination and engineering features, settle
ments of diplomati tic questions and securing the
most favorable privileges shall be thoroughly at
tended to- 1t has been proposed that early date
in the next session be xed consideration of the
bill To this do rot believe any objection would
be made
A programme for House business in the near
future was arranged to-day. by which the Naval
Appropriation bill will be taken up Monday