The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-03

earnestly favored the building of the canal.
No gentleman could be found OF the floor
who would come out openly, he said, and
declare his opposition to the project. Yet.
ne said, there was opposition, strenuous
and dangerous, but concealed and indirect.
The amendment was then adopted.
Mr.. Parker. of New Jersey. offered an
amendment to strike out that portion of
the bill limiting the Presidents selection to
the Nicaraguan route. This amendment
called forth a protest from Mr.. Hepburn.
VINO declared that IL was intended to re-
vive interest in the Panama route, which
has caused the 'foulest scandals" in the
history of the modern world. He charged
that the emissaries of this discredited cor
, poration were seeking to unload the enter
| prise on the American people. Much as he
| trusted the President, he would not trust
any chief executive with unlimited means
| at his disposal to make the choice Of routes
4 of the canal
| Mr.. Burton. of Ohio. declared very en-
| phatically that he was not in favor of the
Panama canal route, but plain business
sense demanded proper investigation and
examination of both routes.
The Parker amendment was defeated-31
4 to 81.
| Mr.. Mccullough, OF Arkansas, offered an
amendment to insert the words "fortify.
garrison between the words construct
and ''and defend" He said he desired that
the language of the bill should be unequiv-
| ocal and should make plain the purpose OF
Congress to abrogate the Clayton -Bulwer
| treaty.
| Mr.. Shafroth, of Colorado. supported the
amendment. We should have a fortified
canal or no canal. he said.
| Mr.. Williams, of Mississippi, said he
| should like to see the word "fortify'' In
| the bill. but the main thing was to con-
/ struct the canal and wipe out 10000 miles
of ocean voyage and freight charges in
proportion. War would abrogate all
/ treaties, and the American government in
| the event of war would not hesitate to
/ fortify the canal
SENSATIONAL SCENE.
/ A dramatic and sensational scene was
| then precipitated. Mr.. Cannon resented
some remarks made last night by Mr.. Hep
burn, impunging his (Cannon's) sincerity.
| Mr.. Cannon spoke under excitement, say
| ing he had just read Mr.. Hepburn's attack
| upon him. AS he proceeded he recalled an
L
| he had spoken yesterday that those who
were promoting this bill were doing so to
delay the canal. Yet he said he had ac-
Quilted Mr.. Hepburn of any such intention.
To-day he frankly stated that Mr.. Hep
burns name had been connected with the
rumor.
'Who was the author of that rumor?'
asked Mr.. Hepburn, jumping to his feet.
"A newspaper man." replied Mr.. Cannon.
ll"I do not know his name.''
Continuing, and speaking with great de-
| liberation, Mr.. Cannon said he would have
| been satisfied with the acquittal he gave
Mr.. Hepburn yesterday had not his doubts
| been aroused" MY observation said he,
sis that when man is willing to challenge
the sincerity of another. IT is because he is
turning the glass inward upon himself.
don't rise to justify my own reputation for
sincerity. Upon my record of twenty years
in public life will stand or fall
The excitement grew Mr.. Cannon pro-
| ceeded Mr.. Hepburn's face was white and
his words came in perfect torrent when
| he replied He thought it entirely possible,
he said. that some one, whose name could
not be recalled, was lying about the Capitol
in the interest of their pet projects. Inter-
| ests in Mr.. Cannon's own city of Chicago,
he declared, were trying to sell things to
the government apd he thought it alto
| gether likely that the Panama Canal Com
pany might be trying to defeat this bill
"I know man connected with the
Panama Company" cried Mr.. Cannon,
fercely. "Can the gentleman say as
| much?"
"Yes, except as they have appeared be-
fore my committee" replied Mr.. Hepburn,
who continuing, appealed to the Record
for confirmation of what he had said about
| Mr.. Cannon. Then pausing for moment
and looking sqdarely at Mr.. Cannon, he
proceeded. II say this to him: If he fathers
the rumor that have any other purposes
to serve. say he has lied
Quick as fash, Mr.. Cannon asked Mr..
/ Hepburn to repeat his statement. By this
time the House was in wild state of
excitement and confusion. and Mr..
| Wheeler, of Kentucky, attempted to call
the gentlemen to order, but the chair said
he had heard nothing unparliamentary and
Mr.. Hepburn proceeded: II say if the gen.
tleman attempted to give currency to the
statement he did gross injustice by
making such an underhanded imputation."
LIKE A CUTTLEFISH
Mr.. Cannon with flushed face declared
that Mr.. Hepburn was adopting the tactics
of the cuttlefish. He seeks to muddy the
| waters and swim away
Il am not seeking to muddy the waters, -
retorted Mr.. Hepburn passionately Il am
responsible for what said to the gentle
man here and elsewhere. The gentleman
tried to dishonor me and / resent it."
Mr.. Cannon protested that he had done
nothing of the kind; that he had treated
| the gentleman from Iowa with great re-
speot and had himself been assailed with
out provocation. He would dismiss the
| whole subject. believing Mr.. Hepburn's vio-
| lent remarks were due to his temper and
not his calm judgment. Here the matter
| rested.
But soon after another scene occurred.
| when MIR. Gaines. of Tennessee, took ex-
| ception TO personal allusion made to him
by Mr.. Mann. of Illinois. After reading
from the Record Mr.. Mann's statement Mr..
| Gaines with great vehemence declared that
| the man who had uttered the words was
devoid of common decency and gentility.'
| The Illinois member had told him, Mr.
| Gaines said, that he had come from the
| South and was a Southern man, and he
thanked God that he was one 500 miles
removed from contact with the South Mr..
Mann came down the aisle as Mr.. Gaines