Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-05-05
NTEROCEANIC CANAL
National House Considering a Bill
For Its Construction. -
OPPOSITION TO THE MEASURE.

Powerful Leaders of the Majority,
Though Favoring the Canal, Think
the Time Not Ripe For beginning
the Work.
Washington, May 2.-For the first
time during the 80 years OF agitation
OF the project for the construction OF
an interoceanic canal the house yes
terday entered upon the consideration
of measure to actually authorize the
building of the canal. Many times
propositions bearing upon the subject
have been before the house, but this
was the first time positive action can
be predicated. Today the bill will be
voted upon before adjournment. The
debate yesterday was memorable be-
cause Of the Unexpectedly powerful OPP
position 1t developed. Mr.. Burton, OF
Ohio, chairman OF the rivers and har-
bors committee; Mr.. Hit, OF Illinois.
chairman of the foreign affairs COM
mittee, and Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois,
chairman Of the appropriations COM
mittee, threw the weight Of their In
fuence against 1t, not because they are
opposed to the building of the canal.
but because they considered that the
time for authorizing its construction
was not ripe.
MIR. Burton and Mr.. Hit contended
that the bill would violate the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, which guarantees the
neutrality OF the canal, and Mr.. Cam
non quoted Admiral Walker, chairman
Of the Isthmain canal commission, as
saying that the commission was not
yet prepared to say which was the best
route. bfr. Cannon contended that the
authorization Of the construction of
the canal over the Nicaraguan route
at this time would delay its building
for years and cost the government $780,
100000.
The debate also developed other
lines Of opposition. Some Of the DEM
ocrats insist that the amendments
striking the words defend" and for
tiflcations' from the bill are designed
to make 1t harmonious with the Hay
Pauncefote treaty, and that 1t is there
fore Objectionable, and Mr.. Shackle-
ford, OF Missouri, desired the bill
amended so that IL the treaty Ia rati-
fed the bill will go into effect The
anomalous situation is therefore pre-
sented OF practically every member on
the floor processing his friendship for
the canal and yet Of powerful oppose
ton arrayed against It on various
grounds
Tuesday, May 4.
Illinois Populist convention, at Chi.
cago, instructed delegates for Bryan
The ball in honor of Admiral Dewey
In Chicago last night was a brilliant
success.
Because he brutality beat Plantation
Manager Skinner George Gordon (col-
ored) was lynched at Albin, Miss.
Shag Rock, long a menace to navi-
cation In the harbor Of San Francisco,
was destroyed by nine tons of nitro
glycerine yesterday.
Mrs. Buenavista Hunter, daughter OF
the late United States Senator Burns,
OF Missouri, committed suicide by
shooting at Platte City.
BY the giving way OF scaffold In
Albany yesterday Hugh McDade and
Newton Lovejoy, painters, were dashed
to the pavement, S5 feet below, and in
stantly killed.
Samuel c. Seely, sentenced In 1895
to eight years Imprisonment for rob-
ing the New York Shoe and Leather
bank OF 1854 900, has been released,
communication for good behavior reduc-
ing his term.
| "Wednesday, May ..
| NJ. Durly de LONE, the former Span
ish minister at Washington, has been
appointed ambassador to Italy.
The ecumenical conference held its
final meeting in New York last night.
, Ex-President Harrison presided.
The United States. supreme court
has recessed until the 14th inst, when
a decision is expected in the Ken
lucky contest.
The jury in the case of B. H. Rob-
erts, on trial in Salt Lake City for
unlawful cohabitation, disagreed and
was discharged.
At the close of business April so,
the public debt, less cash in the treas
ury, amounted to 81, 120, S02, 0S5, which
is an increase of $12,545, 727.
Gen. Won Steuben, who visited the
United States at the time of the York
town centennial celebration, when he
| represented the Steuben family, Is
dead in Berlin.
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