The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15
The Canal bill.


Except as he occupies on the floor of
the House the official position of the Ad-
minis'ration obiector to canal legislation.
Mr.. Burton OF Ohio need not be taken
seriously. But the reasons he has given
for his action in preventing considera ton
of the Hepburn Nicaragua Canal bill have
so obviously been furnished him by EX-
ecutive order that they are worth at least
a passing consideration. since they ex-
pose the heavy hand which is being played
against the will of the American people
in the matter Mr. Burton is quoted as
saying:
Il wish it distinctly understood the objection
made upon my own responsibility. Objection
to she consideration OF the pending bill was
made because:
''First-It ahrogates a treaty solemnly entered
into and now in full force. While its abroga-
ton could be accomplished by the passage OF
this bill, such action is without precedent in our
relations with foreign powers; IL Is also unneees
sary, because the same result could be obtained
by the Hay-Pauncefcte Treaty. measure which,
though much misunderstood, is nevertheless a
triumph Of diplomacy.
'Second-lt commits 10 a fortified canal
Instead Of neutral canal 4 neutral canal Is
not only in accordance with the general tenor
Of our own policy, but would best suhserye our
own interests.
the next session, because extended examination
would be required before definite route can be
safely and judicously selected, if the general
route should be chosen. Some five hundred men
at work making examinations and
plorstons This work. which is absolutely essen
tsl before the canal is commenced, viii require
considerable time
In respect of his first point, the official
objector should have made pilgrimage
to Judge Magoon and secured an opinion"
before venturing on the sweeping and
totally inaccurate statement he ventures
1t is true that the Hepburn bill would alb
rogate tae Clayton Bulwer Treaty-assum-
ing that instrument ever to have been in
force. which. legally. it never was 1t is
not true that such action"-that is. the
abrogation of "a treaty solemnly enacted
and in full foree"-would be without pre-
cedent in our relations with foreign pow
ers." We need only refer to the Chinese
Exclusion act, which with open and ac-
knowledged bal faith, violated our sol
EMMY enacted" treaty with China, and alb
rogated it.
When Mr.. Burton, continuing. says that
the Hepburn bill is unnecessary, because
the Hay Pauncefote Treaty would accom-
plish the same objects, he is, OF course.
conscious of talking nonsense; since, in the
next paragraph of his statement, he shows
that he does not consider the two measures
at all alike. He objects TO the former be-
cause it would allow the United States to
fortify and defend its own property, and
what would become practically and strate-
gically part of its own coast line. What
ever the Administration may want the
American public demand a canal TO be de-
Tended. and, if necessary. fortified by our
Government
The Burton idea that mo loss could re-
suit from a postponemeEt until the next
session is true or false according to the
point OF view. Certainly no loss would
result to the official directors political
proprietoTs. On the contrary, theirs
would be a distinct gain. equivalent to the
sum which the enemies of an American,
or perhaps any, canal have agreed to con-
tribute to the Republican corruption fund,
in consideration of -'postponement until
the next session" But, if we regard the |
matter in the light of public policy, a
great loss will be sustained. We should 1
scarcely again find a time as convenient /
or free from international complications |
OF obstructive nature. as the present. 1
considerable measure of prosperity, due /
TO the war with Spain and the activity of /
foreign markets which absorb our food
stuffs and manufacturers, is prevalent in
the land Our national Treasury has a
large and growing surplus. Every consid-
GRAFTON OF statecraft and commercial pol
icy demands that we should get at the 1
work without any delay whatever, and /
push it. The Hepburn bill in the House,
and the Morgan bill in the Senate. repre-
sent exactly the legislation the American
people desire and are determined to have
II is waste of words TO talk about the
alleged Clayton BuIwer Treaty or the
proposed Pauncefote Treaty. The
country has been sufficiently sounded as
TO both and denounces and rejects the
one as long exploded fraud. and the
other as an intoiersble disgrace.
IL is more than probable that the same
power which has fastened the Porto Rican
infamy upon US, may be able TO throttle
the proposition for an American canal
at this session. II so. it will be done by
main auckland gag force, and no: on any
such vaeuous reasoning as that offered by
Mr. Burton.