The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-07
BILL WILL SURELY PASS.
MAJORITY IN 10Th HOUSES IN IA
vOR OF NICARAGUA CANAL.
Roll of the Two Houses shows That
the BIZ VIII BE Successful
President VIII He Instructed to
secure the Necessary Territory.

| NEW YORK. Feb. IA special 10 the
| Herald from Washington says:
Senator Morgan. chairman Of the senate
| committee on the Nicaragua canal says
| he expects the canal bill TO pass the senate
| this month. Representative Hepburn,
| chairman OF the house committee, says he
expects it to pass the house during this
month.
A poll OF both houses shows that when
! 1t comes 70 a vote the bill xin pass both
houses by overwhelming majorities
Both bills. while differing in language
somewhat, authorize the president 20 Sc
cure from Nicaragua and Costa Riea the
control Of such territory as may be neces-
sary TO construct and defend the proposed
canal and make indefinite appropria-
ton 20 be used in securing such control
Citizens Of Nicaragua and Costa Riea are
to have the same advantages in the use
| Of the canal citizens of the United
States. An appropriation Of $10,0oo,00 Is
made for the commencement of the work,
and the secretary OF war Is authorized to
enter into contracts for its completion TO
the amount OF sl4aoot.ooo. the money TO be
provided in the regular annual appropri-
alton bills as IL shall be needed.
There is no reason TO expect any serious
efforts to delay the bill In either house of
congress. Its opponents are so few to
make such efforts hopeless. aud the pres
ent prospects are that vote viii be
reached in both. houses after short de-
hates. When Mr.. Reed was speaker he
was able to prevent consideration ot the
bill in the house. but Speaker Henderson
is heartily in favor of 1t and VIII aid in
expediting action.
Chairman Hepburn's Plan.
Chairman Hepburn's present plan is 10
try TO secure consideration OF the bil by
unanimous consent Speaker Henderson
has minated to him that this can prob
ably be secured. II there is objection TO
consideration by any of the opponents OF
the measure, Mr.. Hepburn win then apr+y-
20 the committee on rules for a special
order. and he has no doubt of its being
granted as all the members OF that COM
mittee are in favor Of the bill
In the senate the financial bill will have
the right-of-way until February is. but
after that has been acted upon Senator
Morgan intends to call up the canal bill
and push IL TO a speedy vote. There will
be some oppositioH-=4%em senator's who
think II would be wise to wait for the re-
port of the Walker commission, but few
members win oppose the bin in it's pres
ent form.
Senator Morgan is confident the canal
bill will pass congress at the present ses-
sion. He has assurances that a large
majority of Republicans favor the pass
age OF the bill without further delay. In
the senate some OF the friends OF the bill
are impatient to have il taken up and
passed some morning during the morn
ing hour. The only substantial opposition
comes from Senator Caffery of Louisiana,
who will probably insist on debating the
subject at length,
Friends of the bill." Senator Morgan
said, ARE satisfied the American people
fully understand the provisions of the
measure and recognized the Importance
Of prompt action Under the circum-
stances It's advocates will not waste time
in discussion. So strong is the sentiment
in the senate favorable to the bin that II
might be taken up tomorrow and passed
with not more than i've or six votes
against Il. There Is "a general under
standing, however. that IL shall not an
tagonize the financial bin now pending.
and therefore ] probably shall not call
up the canal bill until the financial bin
IS disposed of, The latter measure Is TO
be voted on one week from next Thurs
day.
II do not believe Senator Gallery pro-
poses TO filihuster against the bill when
Il Is taken up. He desires TO present his
objections to the proposed bill and un-
derstand he VIII content himself by ex-
planning his position to the senate after
which vote win be taken | have no
fear as to the result. as the senate has
twice passed a similar bin and the sub
ieet is perfectly well understood by all
Of the intelligent people 10 the United
states"
Aldrich sure OF success.
Senator Aldrich, chairman Of the finance
committee. says there Is no doubt "a 10
the passage OF the canal bill.
More than two-thirds OF the senate
favor the bill" he said. and II is not
likely that the small opposition will in
terposp any unnecessary delay TO prevent
the passage OF the htl The very small
f4fusrffe la pur.gait4art tsutr rDatttra F.u-
days 10 present their Views and friends
of the bill will give them every reason
able opportunity 10 be heard. Unless some
unforeseen obstacles arise the bill should
he passed soon after the financial measure
IL out NJ the way.
senator Harris. one Of the most enef.
Ecuc friends Of the canal hilI on the
Democratic side of the chamber. las had
several conferences recently with Repre-
sentative Hepburn, OF Iowa, who aavn-
Gates smaller appropriation than Il car
ricd In the pending bill, and the prospects
are that satisfactory agreement Will be-
reached Tor a limited appropriation hy the
present congress.
''it viii b. difficult to stay the passage
10 the bin nqw, said Senator Harris. as
the AmerieaH people are thoroughty arous-
ga ;0 the Importance of building the canal
without further delay While there IL
no intontion on the part o. the friends
0f the hlll " The senate 10 take precipifate
action we feel that too much time has
already been allowed to pass without ge,.
inns down 10 actual work on the canal
s-rhc time is ripe for beginning the con,
structtOu % the canal and the whole couu-
trv without regard 90 politics or section.
demands action by congress this session
~>s~ fI->L