The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-13
All Members But One Voted to Re-
port the Bill Favorably.
Mr.. FLETCHER DID NOT VOTE.
His Silence Should Nos be Construed
rs Opposition, but Merely as Rcs-
scrration Of His Right. to Sup
port or Oppose After Fur
IS ther Considcratioir-Ihe
Provisfons.

WASHINGTON. d. c.. Jan. 1.-THE
House Committee IN Interstate aud For-
eign Commerce to-day ordered a fayora-
bic report, upon the Hepburn sill for the
coGEruction OF the Nicaragua Canal.
5 the ntll IS practically ,h.. ss..I.e as .l;.t
reported by. this committee in the last
Congress.
There was some discussion about the
advlsability OF delaying action on the bill
until the lsthmtan Canal Commission re-
ported. bur this was finally regarded as
Unnecessary and alf the members ex-s
lcept Mr.. Fletcher, of Minnesota, voted
to report the bill favorably. The lat
ter said his silence should not be con-S
strued as OPPOSITION TO the measure. nut
merely as preservation Of his right to
support or oECose IL after pltrther con-
sIderat!on.
7 he committee made some changes in
the original bill, inserting new section
and making verbal alterations. AS
finally agreed to, the bill is as follows:
To Erovlde for the construction or a
canal connecting the waters OF the Allan
tic and Pacific oceans.
THE ROUTE
Be 1t enacted. etc.-1hat the President
j OF the United States be, and Is hereby au-
thorized, to acquire from the States of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua, for and in be-
half of the United States, control OF such
portion of territory now belonging to
Costa Rica and Nicaragua as may be-.
desirable and necessary on which to ex-
Scayate. construct and defend a canal OF
such depth and capacity as viii be sutii-
cient for the movements of ships of the
greatest tonnage and draft now in use.
from q point near Greytown on the Car
ribean Sea, via Lake Nicaragua to Breto,
/. on the Pacific Ocean, and such sums as
may be racessary to secure such control
are hereby appropriated out OF any money
in the Treasury not otherwise appro9ri-
ated.
II Section THAT when the President has
secured full control over the territory IN
section referred to. he shall direct the
Secretary of War to excavate and CON-
Struct q canal and waterway from a point
on the shore OF the Caribbean Sea near
Greytown. by way OF Lake Nicaragua tc
p1int near Breto, on the Pacific Ocean
Such canal shall be of sufficient character
and depth as that it may be used by yes-
sells of the largest tonnage and greatest
depth now in use, and shall be supplied
with all necessary locks and other aoDii-
ances to meet the necessities OF vessels
passing from Greytowu to Ereto. and the
Secretary OF War shall also construct
such safe and commodious harbors at the
teImini of said canal, and such facilities
To- usleHCe as Will De requlFett IoE Sd1Sty
and protection OF said canal and harbors.
SHALL CAUSE SURVEYS.
Section 3-That the President shall cause
such surveys as may be necessary for said
canal and harbors and in the construction
of the same.
Section THAT in the excavation and
construction of the said canal. the San
Juan river and Lake Nicaragua or such
parts OF each. as may te made available.
shall be used.
Section 5-That in any negotiations with
the States OF Costa Riea or Nicaragua
the President may have. the President fs
authorized to suars neee to said States the
use of said canal and harbors, upon such
terms as may be agreed upon, for ali
vessels owned by said States or By citi-.
zens thereof
Section THE sum Of slfaHeo SEQ. or Sc
much thereof as may te necessary. Il
hereby appropriated out of any money III
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated
for the completion OF the work herein au-
thorized, said money to be drawn from
the Treasury from time to time as ths
same shall be needed. upon warrants OF
the President based on estIma ties made aud
verified by the Chief Engineer In charge
of the work and approved by the Seere-
| it:,rv.' n r iSy'ar