The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-03

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! ing to play the cuttlefsh act, and muddy
! the waters and swim away.
Mr.. Hepburn-Let me interrupt the gen
| ueman to say that l propose 10 cuitlefish
movement here. do not propose to mud
| dy the waters and get away. I am re
sp0nsible for what I have said to the gen
tlemau aud TO this House I have weighed
my words. and while they are earnest, |
know what they mean. believe that he
tried TO dishonor me here. and | resent it.
want him to understand it.
Mr.. Caunon-Very we'll; will read what
the gentleman refers to again. HE then
read what was contained in the Record"
on he subjectl
when he had finished Mr. Barham OF
California interjected: VIII the gentleman
pardon me-"
Mr. Cannon (humorouslyl-The gentle
man is not in this at this moment
Mr. Barham-I wanted TO get in
Mr. Cannon-Just let me complete it.
Now. then. it is an open secret that in
many papers Of this country statements
have been made touching the intentions of
the gentleman from Iowa. Now
Mr. Hepburn-Mr. Chairman. l am not
willing that the gentleman should make
that statement ! say it is untrue
Mr.. Cannon DO not yield
Mr.. HepbUTn-The is a paper in Chi
cago that has e. PAPER represent
ing certain { in this con-
nection.
Mr.. Cannon-Now. then. In view OF that
statement that the gentleman refers to,
and IN view Of the statements which l
referred to here l felt that | was doing
a generous and praiserorthy act in re-
ferring 10 it. and that statement came
from my heart, inspired with respect for
the gentleman from Iowa, rather than
from disrespect or hatred. Judge Of my
surprise animated as | was. to read in the
Record" a few moments ago the as
Sault that he committed upon me. in my
absence. and then he says. "and if the
gentleman says" while / did not say he
did, he says. he says" he referred 20 me
at this point. in promoting this bill he
seeks to delay the construction OF the
canal then the gentleman lied" Yes: and
II the Lord was the devil then the Lord
would be the devil, and so forth. / dis
miss this whole matter because I think
the sober second judgment Of the gentle
man from Iowa. when his partisanship for
this bill has had time TO cool. will cause
him TO take account OF stock. and see that
il was his temper rather than his calm
judgment that inspired the attack upon me
yesterday and today. IAppausel
Mr.. Hepburn-Mr. Chairman, in COM
mencement Of that laudable enterprise to
please the gentleman. if it is parliament
tary 70 do il. l will withdraw the and If,
and IL and IT," TApplausel
Mr.. Cannon-Well. the gentleman hav-
ing Withdrawn. can keep them withdrawn
il he chooses. and pursue that course that
his own sense Of honor and his own self (
Respect shall dictate.
Ar, Gibson and many mem5ers-Regular /
order
With this the incident closed. but the |
air Of the hall was charged with the cleo |
tricity Of combat for some time after /
ward
"A few moments later Mr.. Gaines re- |
ierred 70 his attempt earlier in the day
70 get in a question while Mr. Mann was 1
talking. After reading from the Record"
MT. Manns uncOmplimentary statement,
Mr.. Gaines. with great vehemence. de-
,laTed that the man who had uttered the !
" Ords was devoid OF common decency, |
courtesy, and gentilty."
The Iliinos member had told him. Mr.
Gaines said. that he had come from the
south. and was a Southern man. and he |
banked God that he was now 500 miles
emoved from contact with the South.
Mr.. Mann, coming down the aisle from
he cloak room. was greeted with ap- !
llause. as be remarked that from any |
sther gentleman the remarks just made
would require sCme attention, but from
lr Gaines they demanded no attention.
This refusal 10 take him seriously an
sered Mr. Gaines. and amid shouts Of
aughter that nearly drowned his voice,
he declared: Il do not withdraw a state
ncnt ] made. and / lpOuuding the deskl
am responsible here and elsewhere for
what ! say"
In Committee of the Whole.
when the House had disposed OF the rou-
inc morning business and had resolved it,
elf into Committee Of the Whole, Mr
IepbUrn moved that general debate be
losed and that the bill be read for amend
nent under the hve-miuute rule. This was
greed 10. Mr.. Hepburn offered the com
aittee amendment. substituting the word
protect for defend. 20 in the first section.
lr. Mann opposed the amendment. He be-
ieved that the canal should be owned. con-
rolled. and fortified by the United States. I
IT. Underwood OF Alabama said he wanted
he canal built, though he recognized the
ower OF the opposition TO the bill. The
rst committee amendment was adopted.
The committee amendment 10 section ..
triking out the word "fortifcations" and /
Inserting the word provisions was
greed to by a vote of 90 10 81.
Mr. Neville offered an amendment that
u contracts for the construction Of tie ,
anal be based upon the rate OF wages paid
q ire United States. and that so far as
0ssible all labor employed be from the
uiied States II was lost by a vote Of 10
D 65.
Section OF the bill, reported by the
lmmittee as an amendment was adopted
ithout division.
Mr. Parker offered an amendment 10
rike out the clause limiting the Presi-
euts selection 70 the Nicaragua route.
lr. Hepburn opposed this amendment. Mr. !
urtOn then spoke against the bill. The {
uestion on the pending amendment was
at and 1t was defeated by a vote OF 81
D 81
meudment to insert the words "f0rtfy, I ]
arrisOn." between the words construct
nd and defend" He said he desired I !
hat the language OF The bill should be un-
Quivocal, and should make plain the pur- I
ose Of Congress TO abrogate the Clayton
,ulwer Treaty.
Mr Shafroth OF Colorado supported this
mendment He did not believe the people
anted the Government 10 construct sim
ly a commercial canal. Il would double
he strength OF the American Navy.
Mr Gillett opposed the amendment,
rguing that the Bulwer- Clayton Treaty
las still in operation.
II was during the pendency OF the Nc
ullcch amendment that the scenes be-
aeen Mr. Cannon and Mr. Hepburn and
'r Gaines and Mr.. Mann occurred. Mr..
.cCullOch's amendment was defeated by
vote 0f ia 10 Sc.
Mr Burton moved an amendment giving
be- President specific authority to negoti-
.c for the cession Of a strip Of land ten
iles wide for right Of way. Mr.. Hep y
lru advised the committee that the Ian I