The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-19
THE SIcARAGUAN CANAL BILL.
Favorable Report on 1t Ordered by the
House Committee on Commerce.

Washington, January 12.-The house
committee on Interstate and foreign
commerce today ordered a favorable
repor upon the Hepburn bill for the
construction OF the Nicaragua canal.
The bill is practically the same as the
one reported by this committee in the
last congress.
There was some discussion about the
advisabilIty of delaying action on the
bill Until the Isthmian cana commits
sion reported, but this was finally re-
garded as unnecessary, n all the
members except Senator Fletcher, OF
Minnesota, voted to report the bill ia
v0rably. The latter said his silence
should not be construed as opposition
to the measure, but merely as a reser-
v2tion of his right TO support or oppose
il after further consideration. The
committee made some changes in the
original bill, inserting a new section
8, and making verbal alterations. As
finally agreed to, the bill is rs follows:
ITO provide for the construction of
a canal connecting the waters Of the
Atlantic, and Pacific ceans
BE il enacted, etc.
Section /. That the president OF the
United States be n is hereby author
lied ito acquire from the states of Cos
TO Rica and Nicaragua, for and in be-
half of the UnF.ed States, control of
such portion of territory now belong
ing TO Costa Rica and Nicaragua as
may be desirable and necessary on
WHICH to eXcavate. construct and de-
fend a canal Of sue Cepth and capaci-
ty as will be suffic e. for h move
mert of ships of the greatest tonnage
and draught now in use, from a point
near Greytown, on the Caribbean sea,
via lake Nicaragua, to Breto, on the
Pacific ocean: and such sums as may
be necessary to secure such control are
hereby appropriated out of money in
the treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated.
Sec. ?. That when the president has
secured full control over the TERRITORY
in section 1 referred to, he shall direct
the secretary of wal to eXcavatA and
construct a canal and waterway from
a point on the shore of the Caribbean
sea, neal Greytown, by way of Lake
Nicaragua, to a point near Breto, on
THE Pacific ocean. Such canal shall be
of sufficient capacity and depth as that
it may be used by vessels of the larg-
est tonnage and greatest depth now
in use and shall be supplied with all
necessary locks and other appliances
ito meet the necessities of vessels pass
ing from GreyTtown to Breto; and the
secretary of war shall also construct
SuCn sale anu cOI1lInOOIOuS IdrDOIS dl
the itermini of said canal, and such for
tifications for defense, as will be re-
| quired for safety and protection of said
canal and harbors.
Sec. 8. That the president shall
cause such surveys as may be neces-
rsary for said canal and harbors and
in the constructing of the same.
Sec. 4. That in the excavation and
construction of said canal, the San
Juan river and Lake Nicaragua, or
such parts of each as may be made
available, shall be used.
Sec. 5. That in any negotiations
with the states of Costa Rica or Mic
aragua, the president nay have, the
president is authorized to guarantee to
said states the use of said canal and
harbors, upon such terms as may be
agreed upon, for all vessels owned by
| said states or by citizens thereof.
Sec. 6. That the sum of $40, 600, 000
or go much thereof as may be necessary
is hereby appropriated, out of any
none in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, for the completion of the
work herein authorized, said none
to be drawn from the treasury from
time to time, as the same shall be
needed, upon warrant of the president
based on estimates made n verified
by the chief engineer in charge Of the
work and approved by the secretary of
war"