The age-herald., 1900-05-02
Vigorous Opposition by Cannon,
 Burton and Hit.
HEPBURN MAKING HARD FIGHT
All Members Favor Connecting the Two Oceans But Difference of Opinion as to the Best Method
 Causes Opposition

Washington, May Flor the first time during the fifty years of agitation of the project for the construction of an inter- oceanic canal, the house today entered up- on the consideration of a measure to act ually authorize the building of canal. Many times preparations bearing upon the subject have been before the house, but this was the first time positive action can be predicted. A session for debate will be held tonight, and tomorrow the bill will be voted upon before adjournment
 The debate today was memorable be- cause of the unexpectedly powerful oppo- sition it developed. MT. Burton of Ohio, chairman of the rivers and harbors com- :. mittee; MT. Hit of Illinois, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, and MT. Cannon of Illinois, chairman of the ap- 2 propriations committee, threw the weight of their influence against it, because they considered that the time for authorizing its construction was not ripe. MT. Burton and MT. Hit contended that the bill would violate the C1ayton-Bulwer treaty, which guarantees the neutrality of the canal, and MT. Cannon quoted Admiral Walker, chair man of the Isthmian canal commission, as saying that the commission was not yet prepared to say which is the best route. MT. Cannon contended that the au- thorization of the construction of the canal over the Nicaraguan route at this time would delay Its building for years and cost the government $5OOOO,OOO.
 Lines of Opposition
 The debate also developed other lines of opposition. Some of the democrats insist not fha tril ont words defend" and "fortifcations' from the bill are designed to make it harmonize with the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, and that 1t is therefore objectional; and MT. Shack leford of Missouri desired the bill amend ed so that if the treaty Is ratified the bill will not go into effect The anomalous condition is therefore presented of practi- cally every member on the floor protesting his friendship for the canal, and yet of powerful opposition arrayed against it on various grounds.
 The bill was ably and vigorously cham pioned by Chairman Hepburn of the inter- state commerce commission, MT. Lowering of Massachusetts, MT. Ransdell of Louisi- ana, and MT. Corliss of Michigan MT. Fletcher of Minnesota was the only mem- Der of the commerce commission who op- posed the passage of any bill at this ses- sion.
 During the debate today ex-Secretary of State Sherman was one of the interested listeners on the floor, and Admiral Walker followed the proceedings from a seat in the reserved gallery. When the bill was called up MT. Hepburn offered the amend ments for the committee substituting the word protest for defend, and the words provision for defense'' instead of for for tifcations for defense"
 Hepburn Opened Debate
 Mr. Hepburn, opening the debate, said 1t was now almost exactly ffty-four years since the project of an inter-oceanic canal was first preached, but this was the first day bill to carry such a project into ef- feet had received the attention of the house of representatives. There had al- ways been some way to defeat action. And now again today" he continued, i've see gentlemen, notably the gentleman who has twice before defeated action standing here protesting that this Is not the au- spicous moment"
 Mir Hepburn reviewed the whole history of the canal project and said the reports were practically unanimous in favor of the Nicaraguan route.
 Speaking of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty today he declared amid general outburst of applause that the interests of the Amer jeans in the canal had become so great that they would refuse to be bound with a barrier, imposed by another generation, half century ago. HeSdruliiS eAiStihS franchises MT. Hepburn said whenever the treasuries of Nicaragua and Costa Rica were low these countries sold franchises. In all twenty-seven had been granted dur ing the last fifty years. This bill recognized and dealt with none of them. As to the Panama canal, MT. Hepburn expressed the opinion that it would never be feasible for the United States.
 '.I want" said he, "and I think the American people want an American canal which can, if necessary, discriminate in favor of our own people. giving our com merce the advantage over the commerce of other countries (Applause.)
 An Intense Contest
 'We are entering upon the most intense contest In the history of time, and it is the intention of the American people that they shall have their full share of the worlds commerce. (Renewed applause.) I want the canal, when completed, under our control. do not want our hands tied before we enter the contest"
 ..If we pass this bill and the senate then reafirms the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, the provisions of which conflict with It," in corrupted MT. Clark of Missouri, which would take precedence"
 II do not know" replied MT. Hepburn. ''If they absolutely conflict the law would be superior to that treaty."
 ''No," cried gentlemen from various parts of the hall. eff we decide to protect the Do fv