Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-03
56TH CONGRESS.
House Passes Nicaraguan Ca
nal Bill, 225 to IS.
Treatment Of Volunteers in Spanish
War Comes Up in Senate.
indications that Clark Case will Be Fought TO
the Bitter End.

congress, passed the NlcardSuan canal
bill by the overwhelming vote Of 225
to 80. All attempts to retain in the bin
the language of the original bill for the
fertilization of the canal and to still
further strengthen the language on
that line We're baked and the victory
of Hepburn and the committee was
compete. a motion to rccommit the
bill with instructions to report back
another bill leaving the sci elton of the
route to the President was buried
under an adverse vote of 80 to Ill
Cannon. chairman of the appropIia-
tons committee, and Burton of Ohio.
chairman of the river and harbor COM
mittee, made game fight to prevent
action at this session but their appeals
We're in vain and the members rode
rough shod over all their arguments
and protests.
Much excitement reigned throughout
the day and several times bitter words
We're used. The excitement reached its
climax in a highly dramatic scene be
tween Hepburn and Cannon, when the
former used the word lie" and liar
as he denounced the chairman of the
appropriations committee for attempt
ing tn 'dshonor him"
The House was in riotous confusion
during the quarrel. Members crowded
the aisles and the situation at one time
was 50 threatening that Wheeler KY
Dem. sought to pour oil on the waters
by raising a point Of order. but he was
not upheld ana the two irata mem
bers carried their war to the Very hilt
There was a show Of peace at the close
pf ba ing Irrt ha ho+v
the two men ran SO high that the mutual
rctractions with which such incidents
generally end. were hut the cloaks for
the kcencst ana most cutting sarcasm.
Those who voted nay were: Acheson.
Adams. Burton. Cannon. Capron, Clark.
Mo. Cooney. Cowherd. Cox. Dalzcl
DcArmond, Denny. Dougherty. Fleming.
Fletcher. CASTOR. Gillett. Mass, Graham.
taucr I.ittleaold. Mccall. Neville. Rhe1.
Ky.. Rucker. shafroth. Spraeuc, Stewart
WIS. TIlbert Thayer Vandiyer-35.
Whom the House met. on motion Of
Hepburn. Iowa, 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
minute rule. Hepburn offered the
committee amendment to substitute
the word protect" for defend in the
first section. Mann. ILL.,. a member of
the interstate commerce committee.
said he favored a canal built. owned
ana fortified by the United States.
Underwood, Ala. said he earnestly
favored the building If the canal. NJ
gentleman could be found on the floor
who would come out openly, he said.
and declare his opposition to the pro
ject. Yet, he said, there was opposi-
ton. strenuous and dangerous. but
concealed and indirect. The amend
ment was then adOped.
Parker, y. j. offered an amendment
II strike out that portion Of the bill
limiting the Presidents selection to the
Nicaragua route. This amendment
called forth a protest from Hepburn.
who declared that it was intended to
revive interest in the Panama route.
which had caused one If the "fouest
scandals in the history Of the mod
ern world. He charged that the ennis
sares Of this discredited corporation
We're seeking To unload the enterprise
on the American people. Much as he
trusted the President he would not
trust any Chief Executive with unlim-
tied means at his disposal to make the
choice of routes of the canal Burton.
Ohio. declared very emphatically that
he was in favor of the Panama canal
route. but plain business sense de-
manded a proper investigation and eX-
animation of both routes. The Parker
amendment was defeated. 81 to s..
McColloch, Ark, offered an amend
mcnt to insert the words "fortify gar
rison" between the words construct
and "and defend" He said he desired
that the language Of the bill should |
make plain the purpose Of Congress to |
abroEate the Clayton Bulwer treaty. |
Shafroth, Col. supported the amend !
ment. Williams, Miss. said he would |
like to see the word "fortify" in the |
bill, but the main thing was to con-
struct the canal and wipe out 10000 |
miles Of ocean voyage and freight |
charges in proportion. The American
government. in the event of war,
would not hesitate to fortify and de-
fcnd the canal.
A dramatic and sensational scene |
then occurred between Cannon. chair
man Of the appropriation committee,
!, 81
qua canal bill Cannon resented some |
made. last night. by Hepburn
his (Carnon's) sincerity. |
Cannon spoke under excitement. say
ing he had just read Hepburns attack |
upon him. AS he proceeded he recalled /
an intimation that had come to him of |
which he had spoken. yesterday. that |
those who We're promoting this hill !
We're doing so to delay the canal Yet |
he said he had acquitted Hepburn Of
any such intention. Today. he frankly |
stated that Hepburn's name had been .
connected with the rumor.
The excitement grew as Cannon pro- \
ceeded. Hepburn's face was white and 4
his words came in a perfect torrent
when he replied. He thought it entire /
ly possible he said. that some one |
whose name could not be recalled was |
lying about the Capitol in the interest !
of their pet projects. In this Cannon's |
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