The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-02
CANAL HAS OPPOSITION.
Chairmen Of Leading Committees Fighting
the Measure.
DEMOCRATS DO NOT LIKE AMENDMENTS
Chairman Hepburn Makes n strong
speech I'm Favor of His Blli.
Vote to tic Taken Today.

oceanic canal, the house OF representatives
today entered upon the consideration OF a
measure to actually authorize the building
OF canal, Many times propositions bear
ing upon this subject have been before
the house. but this was the first time
positive action can be predicted. 4 ses-
sion for debate will be held tonight and
tomorrow the bill will be voted upon be-
fore adjournment.
The debate today was memorable be-
cause of the unexpectedly strong opposi-
ton 1t developed. Mr.. Burton (Ohio),
chairman Of the rivers and harbors COM
mittee. MIR. Hit Qll). chairman of the
non (Ill) chairman OF the appropriation
committee, threw the weight Of their in
fuence against it because they considered
the time for authorizing its construction
was not ripe. Mr.. Burton and Mr.. Hit
contended that tho bill would violate the
Clayton- Bulwer treaty which guarantees
the neutrality OF the canal, and Mr.. Cam
non quoted Admiral Walker, chairman OF
the isthmian canal commission, as saying
that the commission was not yet prepared
W say Wncn is the pest route.
Mr. Cannon contendsd that the author
lSation OF the construction OF the canal
over the Nicaragua route at this time
would delay iss building for years and
cost the government $40, 1000, 900.
The debate also developed other lines OF
opposition. Some OF the democrats in
sist that the amendments striking out the
words defend" and Notifications" from
the bill are designed to make II harmonizo
with the Hay-pauncefote treaty and that
il is therefore objectionable, and MIR,
Shackleford tMo.) desired the bill amend
ed so that II the treaty is ratified the bill
will not go into effect.
The analogous situation therefore is
presented of practically every member on
the floor protesting his friendship for the
canal and vet OF powerful opposition ar
rayed against 1t on various grounds.
The bill was ably and vigorously cham
pioned by Chairman Hepburn of the in
terstate commerce commission. Mr. Lev
ering (Mass.). MIR. Randell C14a.) and Mr.
Corllss (Mich.)
Mr.. Fletcher (Minn) was tho only mem
her Of the commerce committee who OPP
posed the passage of any bill at this SEES
sion.
During the debate today ex-Secretary OF
State Sherman was one of the interested
listeners OH the floor and Admiral Walker
followed the proceedings from seat in
the reserved gallery.
When the bill was called up, Mr.. Hep
burn offered the amendments for the com
mittee substituting the word protect"
for ''defeud' and the words provisions
for defense" instead of "forti1cations for
defense.
Mr.. Hepburn, opening the debate, said
il was now almost exactly fifty years since
the project Of an interoceanic canal was
first preached, but this was the first day
a bin to carry such project into effect
had received the attention OF the house
of represe ntatives, There had always
been some way to defeat action.
and now again today" he continued
eve see gentlemen. notably the gentic-
man who has twice before defeated action.
standing here protesting that this is not
the suspicious moment
MI. Hepburn reviewed the whole history
of the canal project and said the reports
were practically unanimous in favor Of
the Nicaragua route.
Speaking Of the Clayton Bulwer treaty
he declared. amid a general outburst Of
applause that the interest of Americans
In the canal had become so great thar
they would refuse to be bound with bar
rier imposed by another generation, half
a century ago,
burn said whenever the treasures OF
Nicaragua and Costa RIGA were low, these
countries sold franchises. In all twer ty-
seven had been granted during the last
Atty years. This bill recognized and dealt
with none of them. As to the Panama
canal, Mr.. Hepburn expressed the opinion
that it would never be feasible for the
United States.
81 want" said he, land think the
American people want, an American canal,
which can. il necessary, discriminate in
favor Of our own people. giving our com :
merce the advantage over the commerce
of other countries. tApplause.) We are
entering upon the most intense contest III
the history Of time and ii is the intention
of the American people that they shall
have their full share of the worlds com
merce. (Renawed applause) ! want the
canal, when completed, under our control.
do not want our hands tied before We
enter the contest"
III we pass this bill, and the senate
then ratiies the Hay Pauncefote treaty.
the provisions of which conflict with IT,
interrupted Mr. Clark (Mo), (which
would take precedence"
Il do not know" relied Mr.. Hepburn.
"If they absolutely conflict The law would
be superior to that treaty"
NO cIltQ ReullSulSu nun NdAAouS
parts Of the hall.
IF we decided to protect the canal, the
Hay Pauncefote treaty would give the
same rights to England" persisted Mr..
Clark.
81 am afraid responded Mr.. Hepburn,
that such action would be unfortunate for
the provisions OF my bill. But il the
house of representatives By an over
whelming vote. declares the policy of The
American people TO be for an American
canal. untrammeled by changing al
llances, no one in the United States will
dare say nay (Applause.) | do rot thin
there is disposition by the administra-
tion to thwart the will Of the American
people,
III 1t f. not the intention to press the
Hay Pauncofote treaty, why is II MOI Win
drawn" asked Mr. Clark.
"We must stop now for fear Of some
thing in the future" replied Mr.. Hep
burn,
III Won will put that word fortify' back
| in the bill II will have the unanimous
vote nj this side" said Mr. Clark
II do not think the changes the com
mitteemen consented to make In the IN
teresta OF harmony. as we supposed, make
any radical difference in the bill" re-
sponded Mr.. Hepburn.
"Do you think the Clayton BulWer urea