The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-02
IN THE HOUSE.
First Day Of Nicaragua Debate
strong Opposition to the bill
Being Manifested.

First Day Of Nicaragua Debate
strong Opposition to the Bill
Being MRntfestcd.
WASHINGTON, May 1.--For the FIRST
time during the fifty years of agitation of
the project for the construction Of in
terot eanic canal, the house OF representa-
tives today entered upon consideration of
a measure to actually authorize the build
ing of a canal Many time prior questions
bearing upon the subject have been before
the house. but this was the first time
positive action can be predicted. Tomor-
row the bill Will be voted upon before adj
tournament The debate today was MEM
orable because of the Unexpectedly pow
erful opposition II developed.
strong Opposition Develops.
Burton, chairman of the river and har-
Dor committee; Hit, chairman of the for
eign affairs committee and Cannon, chair
man Of the appropriations committee
threw the weight Of their influence against
building of the canal, but because they
considered that the time for authorizing
Its construction was not ripe Burton and
Hit commended that the BIN would violate
anteed the neutrality of the canal, and
Cannon quoted Admiral Walker, chairman
of the fsthmian commission. as saying the
commission was not yet prepared to say
which was the best route Cannon con-
tended that the authorization of the con-
struction of the canal over the Nicaraguan
route at this time would delay its building
900, 600
The debate also developed other lines of
opposition. Some OF the Democrats insist
ard n,.,a.,n,, Ina ..ss,ena,is ~ , aro
the bill are designed 10 make II harmonic
with the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, and that
forS ans,ra5 ,hs ts,i %ie 60 tha a.
t ny .ne , an @ ,es, ~ ,,la t ~
into effect.
~ ~ ~ .neieloie p re.
arr ~ "a ese.y I'M ~ ", sne
plo'esst.s .,,s - 3 nua'p ~. 'iv eaaia
ra oi a., en ra',nds XII
~. h, ~ ,s.,si, LIE 49,, ~ ~,
r.,,a,rsy I u ~ *, ,ntari,a ~
mere com m,ttaa. 'ovarjng Psns'Ie, ana
Oorliss.
Fletcher was the only member of the
commerce committee who opposed the
passage of any bill at this session.
During the debate today ex-Secretary of
State Sherman was one of the interested
listeners on the floor, and Admiral Walk
er followed the proceedings from a seat
In the reserved gallery
On assembling the speaker announced
the appointment of King TO succeed Shat
roth on the irrigation committee. TIE Me
aragl,sn tanal asll was then called nm and
Hepburn offered the amendments OF the
COMMITTEES substituting the word protect
for defend and the words ''provision for
defense, Instead OF "fortineations for ae.
un ouu. a.. n.a.
Hepburn. opening the debate, said II was
now almost exactly iity-four years since
the present object of an interoceanic canal
was first preached. but this was the first
day a bill 20 carry su' h project into eff
fect had received the attention of the
house OF representatives, There had al
ways been some way TO defeat action.
And now again today he continued
we see some gentlemen, notably the gem
tleman who has twice before defeated ac-
rns a1s nnse pD.sns '""' TINS Is
nj ~, ,t,. ~ no, his.or .,
~, pn rta", on. ny Ma DO rnSso-,s
.ns esnsi ssn, at,n,, g., ,avar ~
~ 49, -, psao.vS n,,ta u" t"''i VI
'ns Niefaasuuh 'uu.e'
Ciayton-b"iwer treaty.
Speaking OF the CLAYTON Bulwer treaty.
he declared, amid n general outburst OF ap-
piause that the Interest ~ tho Americans
In tho canal had become so great that they
would refuse To be sound with n barrier
Imposed by another generation half a cen-
fury ago. Regarding existing franchises.
nat AH ca i Rea wsfe
low these countries sold franchises In
an twenty.seven had been granted dur
ing me last fftv wears. This hIn recoc-
tba Panama canal. Hephurn EXPRESSED the
oninion that IL would never be feasihle Tor
the United States,
II want saId he. "and think the
r,ertca', panris want AZ, American canal
,stt tt o.,,css,r,. Iiscrin@i,sss a.,
$500 H. .. ,,,,i rt,.t,,s ,, 80
49, ths asysatsSc over the conpserss
,,s mar me cann,r,ss fAnpia,,ssN Ne az
~ is', 49,, .h ,l, is,,te,.a c,,,,.. a.
~, tteer - sin,s at ~ he a. tr,S,et, -
"" ~ 80 ~ ,S. ~ (,
SL me Sns ~, pS"p, ~ s.se. 49, snni'
law tsse'i ~ w 10 80 ~ W''fU Nu"A-
nv ~ ~ ',t ,,,,,. 49,,
Ma'is w 49,, -, - ~,
ger "ur confirm i ~ .et Naht our h"hos
iva pelofe we enter 'he contest
An Animated Coilouuy.
~ We y,asses this but ana the ssnota
shsp rotis@s inc Hsvspauncsfote trsaty
tho r,rnylstons ~ ygbfrh rnvai~, ,,-tth -"
A., .I-,,,,t.s sssark ~ ss,.,,,t =, - ~,