Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-05-03
LIE WAS PASSED
EXCITING SCENES AND STORMY
DEBATE OVER NICARAGUA
BILL.
CANNON'S ATTACK ON HEPBURN
Personalities Exchanged by Gaines
and Mann-Bill Passed 225 to
IS Amid Wild Applause.

at the conclusion of the most stormy
debate of present session of congress
passed the Nicaragua bill by the over
whelming vote of 225 to So. All at
tempts to retain in the bill the language
of the original bill for the f~ortification
of the canal and to still farther
strengthen the language on that line
We're baked and the victory of Mr..
Hepburn and the committee was COM
plete. A motion to recommit the bill
with instructions to report back an
other bill leaving the selection of the
route to the president was buried under
AN adverse majority of 50 to III.
A dramatic and sensational scene oc-
Cured in the house between Mr.. Can
non chairman Of the appropriations
committee, and Mr.. Hepburn, in charge
of the Nicaraguan bill. Mr.. Cannon re-
sented some remarks made last night
by MIR. Hepburn i~mpugning his (Can-
non's) sincerity. Cannon spoke under
excitement saying he had Just read
Mr.. Hepburn's attack upon him.. As
he proceeded he recalled an intimation
that had come to him, of which he had
spoken yesterday. that those who were
promoting this bill We're doing SO to
delay the canal. Yet, he said. he had
acquitted Mr.. Hepburn, of any such
intention. To-day he frankly stated
that Mr.. Hepburn's name had been
connected With the rumor.
WHO was the author of the rumor?'
asked Mr.. Hepburn jumping to his feet.
"A newspaper man." replied Mr.. Can
non. Il do not know his name Con-
tinuing and speaking with great DELHI
Grafton Mr.. Cannon said he would have
been satisfied with the acquittal he
gave Mr.. Hepburn yesterday had not
his doubts been aroused"
.sNfx, ON - sold he sic thnf
when a man is willing to challenge the
sincerity of another it is because he
is turning the glass inward upon HIM
self. I do not rise to justify my own
reputation for sincerity. Upon my
record of % years in public life 1 will
stand or fall"
The excitement grew as Mr.. Cannon
proceeded. Mr.. Hepburn's face was
white and his words came in a perfect
torrent when he replied. He thought it
entirely possible he said, that some n
whose name could not be recalled, was
lying about the capital in the inter-
est of their pet projects. An interest in
Nj. Cannon's own city of Chicago. he
declared, was trying to sell things to
the government. and he thought it al
together likely that the Panama Canal
company might be trying to defeat this
bill.
II know no man connected with the
Panama Canal company" cried Mr..
Cannon fiercely. Can the gentleman
say as lnuch?'
Yes. except as they have appeared
before my committee" replied Mr..
Hepburn. who. continuing, appealed
to the record of confirmation OF what
he had said about Mr.. Cannon. Then,
sauarely at Mr.. Cannon he proceeded.
Il say this to him: If he fathers the
rumor that I have any other purpose to
servo 1 say he has lied
Quick as a flash Mr.. Cannon asked
Mr.. Hepburn to repeat his statement
By this time the house was in a Wild
state Of excitement and confusion and
Mr.. Wheeler (Ky.) attempted to call
the gentlemen to order. but the chair
said he had heard nothing unparlia-
mentary and Mr.. Hepburn proceeded.
II say if the gentleman ATTEMPTED
to give currency to the statement he
did me a great injustice by giving me
such ~underhanded imputation."
Mr.. Cannon with flushed face, de-
clared that Mr.. Hepburn was adopting
the tactics of the cuttlefish. H seeks
to muddy the waters and swim away
"I am not seeking to muddy the
waters" said Mr.. Hepburn, passionate
~. II am responsible for what I said
to the gentleman here and elsewhere.
The gentleman tried to dishoner me and
I resent it,
Mr.. Cannon protested that he had lone
nothing of the kind: that he treated the
gentleman from Iowa with great respect
and he himself had been assailed with
out provocation. He would dismiss the
whole subject. Mr.. Hepburn's violent re-
marks We're due to his emper and not
his calm judgment.
Here the matter rested.
Another scene occurred between Mr..
Gaines (Tenn.) and Mr.. Mann tIll.).
The former took exceptions to Some re-
marks of the latter, saying they We're
devoid of common decency, courtesy
and gentiiity."
Mr.. Mann retorted that if the remark
came from any one but Mr.. Gaines it
would merit a reply.
Mr.. Gaines declared his responsibility
for anything he said and the incident
closed.
The excitement increased as the time
for a vote approached.
Mr.. Grosvenor n Mr. Cannon ex-
changed ~broadsides and Mr.. Burton Of
fered his final amendment providing that
no money should be expended under the
terms of the bill until the sthmian canal
COMMISSION made it's report. The amend
ment was defeated without division.
Mr.. cannon made a final protest
against the bill, pointing out that its
author, Mr.. Hepburn, and Mr.. Dolliver
conceded that the bill was defective.
There We're calls of "Vote!' .'Vote." as
MIR. Cannon concluded.
substitute ny MI. S~naCkelfOrd that
the bill should not go into effect if the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty was ratified, was
defeated.
The bill was then reported to the
house. "
Mr.. Adamson (Ga.) demanded a sepa
rate vote upon the committe amend
ment, substituting the words .provisions
fr Defense in place of 'fortifcation
Ell defense"
The committee amendment was adopt.
ed-154 to 1914.
Mr.. Burton then moved to recommit
the Dill to the interstate com
m1ttee with instructions to report back
forthwith a substitute authorizing the