The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-05
OUTLOOK FOR TIE CANAL
Mr.. Morgan Believes the Bill Will
SO Through the Senate.
anticipates No Serious Opposition
by Member. of the Committee
Which viii Consider ft-A senti-
rncnt FayorinG the shackicford
Amendment-Mr. aIIisOn's Position

Senator Morgan yesterday reiterated TO
d Times reporter with great positiveness
:he belief that the Nicaragua Canal bill
will get through the Senate practically
without opposition and without material
modification.
Senator Morgan said the bill on Monday
would be considered by the Committee on
Inter-oceanic Canals of which he is chair
man, and he believed it would be reported
unanimously. The other members Of this
committee are Senators Harris, Turner.
Culberson, Hawley, sewell, Platt of New
FORK. Mcbride. and Hanna.
81 have not the least fear that my COM
mittee will try to kill the bill or in any
way attempt to weaken it," declared SEN
ator Morgan with enthusiasm. "If we
can get report on it next week 1 think
we shall be able to rush it through this
session
Further than this Senator Morgan could
not be induced to talk about the bill yes
terday.
A Times reporter talked with eight 9TH
er members of the Senate, about equally
divided between the parties, as TO the
probable fate of the bill. and only one OF
this number Senator Vest of Missouri.
spoke in the same optimistic vein as Sem
ator Morgan.
Il think the bill as it came from the
House will encounter no considerable OPP
position in the Senate" said Senator Vest.
In this connection IT is interesting TO
note that about one-fourth of the votes
cast against the bill in the House were
east by Missouri Democrats. Judge Shackle-
ford, the member of the Missouri delega-
ton who succeeded the late R. P. Bland,
offered an amendment to the bill in the
House which sought to completely Ameri-
canize the project before it was enacted
into law This amendment was voted
down.
"The effect of my amendment" said
Judge Shackleford yesterday, would have
been to contravene the purpose of the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty. and at the same time
formally abrogate the old Clayton Bulwer
Treaty. Until the bill is invested with that
character ] shall never favor it. ! pro-
posed The amendment because believe the
American people will never be in favor of
expending the enormous amount of money
involved in the enterprise unless ii is 10 be
a strictly American canal--ownei outright
by this Government and fortified as we
may see it to fortify it. without asking
The opinion of member of Senator Nor
gan's committee, who would not permit the
use of his name at this time was similar
10 Judge Shackleford's. Il shall not vote
fer the bill until it is amended along the
lines proposed by the Shackleford amend
rHent." said. this Senator.
But Senator Morgan declares that the
Bill Will be unanimously reported by the
committee on Inter Oceanic Canals" sug-
,sested The Times reporter
IF Senator Morgan believes that. then
he is reckoning without his host" eN
claimed the Senator
'.But suppose it should be shown indis-
putably that nothing short of the present
bill could get through Congress. Would
you then oppose it, the reporter asked.
That puts an entirely different phase
on the matter" was the reply. Il am
heartily in favor of an American inter-
oceanic canal, and. OF course II Senator
Morgan convinces me, when he submits
the Hepburn bill 10 our committee on Mon
day that it is this or nothing. I may then
vote with him to report it favorab,..
Another Democratic Senator, VINO a so
did net want his name used. said he hope
the bill would be favorably reported ty
the committee and that Senator Morgan
would push it so strong in the Senate as
10 force test vote on it at an early date
Il understand that when 1t gets before
the Senate Morgan will force the fighting
on the bill and make the Administration
show its hand" said this Democratic SEN
ator. Il am aware and SO is everyb-d dy
else who has given the subject close atten-
ton. that the Administration Is opposed
TO an American inter-oceanic canal, and IN
the hope of preventing the consummation
OF the enterprise the ayPauncefote
Treaty was framed. This cannot be shown
conciusively to the people until bill ig-
noring altogether Great Britain's claim TO
consideration in the matter is passed ty
Congress and sent TO the President for ap-
proval | am satisfied MIR. Mckinley would
have to veto it, much as he would fear
the result of such an act; but he and his
party could no longer claim that they were
not committed to a partnership with En-
gland in this canal proposition"
When the information yesterday was
borne TO Senator Allison by friend that
Senator Morgan was confident of forcing
the canal bill through at this session, Sen
ator Allison is quoted as saying:
Senator Morgan is very much in ear
nest in this matter but fear he is let
ting his enthusiasm run away with bis
Judgment. He is an able man and a fire
Senator. but he Is not running the United
States Senate at present. The Senate is
now in control OF the Republican party.
and We do not propose to allow our fxsr
purposes 10 be eltner snunted on on tan
gent or arrested in development We want
10 adjourn in six weeks or less time and we
cannot permit new legislation to be
brought forward and thus probably pro-
19ng the session beyond the time we have
determined upon bringing it to 4 close"
Senator Mason is outspoken in his oppo-
sition TO the canal bill in its present shape
Il shall do all l can 10 prevent its passage
in the Senate" declared MIR Mason. Il
an heartily in favor of an isthmian inter
oceanic canal, but if my voice and vote
ca1 prevent il Great Britain shall not be
taken into partnership In the enterprise"
The substance OF discourag ging remark
like the foregoing was communicated to
Senator Morgan, but did not shake his
confidence. Il tell you again" exclaimed
the Alabamian with renewed enthusiasm.
that the bill will be favorably reported
to the Senate at an early date. and | do
not believe it will encounter dangerous
opposition. l shall push it at every turn
and keep hammerinG away at 1t until |
get a vote"