The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-05-02
Unexpected Opposition in the
House Of Representatives.
FIRST CHANCE IN FIFTY YEARS
Republican Leaders Object 10 The Proposed
Measure and Democrats Demand ImpOs.
sIble Amendments. y.PsuneeiOte
Treaty Parity to Blanc.

WASHINGTON, May l.-For the
first time during the 80 years Of agi-
tation Of the project for the construc-
tlon Of an inter-ocean canal. the house
Of representatives today entered up
on the consideration OF a measure to
actually authorize the building Of such
canal.
Many times prior questions, bearing
upon the subject. have been before the
house. but this is :he first time hat
positive action can be predicted. To-
morrow the bill win be voted upon be-
fore adjournment. The debate today
was memorable because OF the unex-
pectedly powerful opposition IL devel-
oped.
Burton. OF Ohio, chairman OF the
rivers and harbo-s committee; Hit
(rep), Of Illinois. chairman OF the for
eign affairs committee. and Cannon
(rep). Of Illinois. chairman Of the APP
preparation committee. threw the
weight Of their influence against II.
not because they are opposed to the
building OF the canal, but because they
considered that the time for authoriz-
lEg its construction was not ripe.
Burton and Hit contended that the
bill would violate the Clayton Bulwer
treaty. which guaranteed the neutral
ity Of the canal. and Cannon quoted
Admiral Walker. chairipan of the 18th
mian commission, as saying the COM
mission was not yet prepared to say
which was the best route. Cannon
contended that the authorization OF the
construction Of the canal over the
Nlcaraguan route at this time, would
delay its building for years and cost
the government S5O,OOO,OOO.
The debate also developed other lines
Of opposition. Some of the democrats
insist that the amendments striking
out the words defend" and "fortifca-
tions" from the bill. are designed to
make it harmonize with the Hay
Pauncefote treaty and that it is. there
fore, Objectionable, and shackleford,
of Missouri. desired the bill amended
so that IL the treaty is ratified the
bill will not go into effect.
An anamolous situation is, therefore,
presented Of practically every mem
Der on the floor protesting his friend
ship for the canal and yet of a power
full opposition arrayed against it on
various grounds. The bill was ably
and vigorously championed by Chair
man Hepburn, Of the Interstate COM
merce committee. Lowering, Of Massa-
chusetts. Ransdel, of Louisiana, and
Corliss. Of Michigan.
Fletcher Of Minnesota was the only
member of the commerce committee
who opposed the passage Of any bill
at this session.
After having under consideration for
more than two months, the Alaskan
civil code bill was passed by the SEN
ate today.
Army appropriations, carrying sup
plies for military establishment of more
than sll4.OOO,OO0. was then taken up.
The feature of the discussion of the
measure was the debate on trusts.
precipitated by an amendment offered
by Berry (dem), OF Arkansas, provid-
ing that the quartermaster's depart
ment should not purchase supplies from
any recognized trust. The amendment
was defeated. is to 20, as follows.
Yeas-Bacon, Bate, Berry, Butler,
Clay. Davis, Harris, Heitfield. Jones
(Ark.), Kenny, McEnnery. Money, Pet
tigrew. Pettus. Taliaferro Teller Turn
er Wellington-1S.
Noes-Aldrich. Bard, Carter, Chan
dler. Elkius, Fairbanks, Foraker. Frye,
Gallinger Hawley, Hoar, Jones (Nev),
Kean, Lodge. Mcbride, McComas, Pen
rose, Perkins, Plat (Conn,), Proctor
Ross, Scott, Sewell, Shoup, Simon,
Stewart Warren. Wetmore, Wolcott
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