The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-03
Both Members I'm Had Temper and the
House in n Tempest of Ex-
citement.
MUCH I'LL FEELING EXHIBITED
OTHER REPRESENTATIVES, ALSO IN
voLvED IN wORDY DISPUTES.
Fate of the Bill I'm the senate Prob
lematical-Provisio of the
Measure as Adopted.
special to the Indlanapolls journal.


the Nicaragua canal bill in the House
came as an overwhelming triumph after
a day OF debate, which at times was very
squally. Mr.. Cannon and Mr.. Hepburn at
one time were on the point of personal col
ision, and the whole house was on the tip
toe of excitement. The lie was passed. and
both men were trembling with rage for a
moment. but they got cool before they
reached the firing line Shortly afterward
Representative Mann. of Illinois, and John
Wesley Gaines. Of Tennessee, came near
being embroiled, but the day finally passed
with nothing stronger than talk. The ma
Jority for the bill, 100, shows how strong
the canal sentiment Is. 1t remains to be
seen what the friends of canal legislation
In the Senate will be able to do. A minority
can do so much more to obstruct in that
body that the impression Is general here
that the bill cannot be got before the
Senate during this session, If indeed. it
can be during the Congress. Besides. the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty is pending in the
Senate, and it is believed that not a few
senators will oppose consideration until
ratification of the treaty is secured, which
at this time does not seem likely If the
carried out II will be impossible for the
Senate to consider the bill at this session.
All attempts to retain in the bill the Ian
guage of the original bill for the fortifica-
tion of the canal and to still further
strengthen the language on that line, were
baked. to-day. and the victory of Mr.. Hep
burn and the committee was complete. A
motion to recommft the bill with instruc-
tions TO report back another bill leaving
the selection of the route to the President
was buried under an adverse majority of
81 TO III. Mr.. Cannon, chairman of the ap-
propriations committee and Mr.. Burton, of
Ohio, chairman Of the river and harbor
committee made a game fight to stall off
action at this session, but their appeals
were in vain and the members rode rough
shod over all their arguments and protests.
The bill as it passed the House follows:
BE IL enacted. etc. that the President
OF the United States be and is hereby au-
ttorized to acquire from the States Of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua, for and in be-
half OF the United States. control of such
portion of territory now belonging to Costa
Rica and Nicaragua as may be desirable
and necessary on which to excavate, con-
struct and protect a canal of such depth
and capacity will be sufficient for the
movements of ships of the greatest tom
mage and draft now in use from a point
near .Greytown, on the Caribbean sea, via
Lake Nicaragua to Breto. on the Pacific
ocean; and such sum may be necessary
to secure such control is hereby appro-
priated out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated
Section 2 That when the President has
secured full control over the territory in
Section 1 referred TO he shall direct the
secretary Of war TO excavate and construct
canal and waterway from a point on the
shore of the Caribbean sea near Greytown
by way or Lake Nicaragua to a point near
Breto. on the Pacific ocean. Such canal
shall be of sufficient capacity and depth as
that II may be used by vessels of the larg-
est tonnage and greatest depth now in use,
and shall be supplied with all necessary
locks and other appliances to meet the
necessities or vessels passing from Grey
town TO Breto; and the secretary of war
shall also construct such safe and COM
modfous harbors at the termini OF said
canal and such provisions for defense as
may be necessary TO the safety and pro-
lection Of said canal and harbors.
Sec. 5. That the President shall cause
such surveys may be necessary for said
canal and harbors, and in the construc-
tion OF the same shall employ such persons
as he may deem necessary.
Sec 4. That in the excavation of said
canal Lake Nicaragua and such parts of
the same as may be advisable may be
sec. 5. That I'm any negotiations with
the States OF Costa Rica or Nicaragua the
President may have the President is au-
thorized to grant privileges 10 said states
or citizens thereof
Sec g. That the sum Of 500 600 is
hereby appropriated out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated,
toward the project herein contemplated
and tie secretary OF war is further hereby
authorized to enter into a contract or con-
tracts for materials and work that may be
deemed necessary for the proper excava-
tfon, construction. completion and control
OF said canal. TO be paid for as appropria-
tions may from time TO time be hereafter
made. not to exceed in the aggregate Sl4O.-