Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-02
(By telegraph to virginian-pilot,

tSy Telegraph to Virginian- Pilot)
Washington. April 1,-For the first
time during the 90 years of agitation
OF the project for the construction OF
an inter-oceanic canal, the House OF
Representatives to-day entered upon
the consideration OF q measure to
actually authorize the building OF q
canal. Many times propositions bear
ing upon the subject have been before
the House. but this was the first time
positive action can be predicted To-
morrow the bin will be voted ,itsen- be-
fore adjournment. The debate to-day
was memorable because of tho unex-
pectedly powerful opposition 1t Develop
ed Mr.. Burton. of Ohio. chairman of
the Rivers aid Harbors Committees;
MIR. HIT, of Illinois, chairman of the
Foreign Affairs Committee. and Mr..
Cannon. of Illinois, chairman OF the
Appropriations Committee threw the
weight of th2ir influence against 1t, not
because they are opposed TO the build
Ing OF the canal but because they con-
sidered that the time for authorizing
ITS construction was not ripe. Mr. Bur
ton and MIR. Hit conteuded that the
bill would violate the Clayton Bulwer
treaty, which guarantees the neutral
ity of the canal. and Mr.. Cannon quoted
Admiral Walker, chairman of the 18TH
milan Canal Commission, as saying that
the commission was not yet prepared
to say which was the best route.
Mr.. Cannon contended that the au-
thoriGation of the construction OF the
canal over tho NicaraEuan route Mt this
time would delay it's building for years
and cost the Government $4,000, oe0
The debate also developed other lines
of opposition. Some of the Demo-
| Gratis insist that the amendments strik-
ing the words defend" and "fortihca-
tons" from the bin are designed to
make tt harmoniGe 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 that treaty is rat
flied the bin Will not go into effect.
Tho anomalous situation is therefore
presented OF practically every member
on the floor protesting his friendship
for the canal, and yet of powerful op-
position arrayed against 1t on various
grounds. The bill was ably and Wig
orously championed by Chairman Hep
burn, of the Inter- State Commerce
Commission: Mr. lowering, OF MasSsa-
chusetts; Mr.. Ransdeil. of Louisiana.
and Mr. Corliss, of Michigan.
Mr.. Fletcher. of Minnesota, WAS the
Only member OF the Commerce Com-
mittee, who opposed the passage of any
bill at this session. During the debate
to-day ex-Secetary of state Sherman
! was one of the Interested listeners on
the floor and Admiral Walker followed
| the proceedings from a seat ia the re-
| served galleries
Mr.. Hepburn sought to reach an
agreement as to the length of general
| debate and the division of time, but as
some temper was displayed by MIR, Can
non and Mr.. Hepburn the House finally
| went into committee OF the whole to
consider the bill (Air. Cooper of Wis
| consin. in the chair) without any
agreement. but with the understanding
that night session for debate should
| be held tonight. The bill was then
read.
MIR. Hepburn then offered the amend
ments of the committee. substituting
| the word protect for defend" and
the words provision for Defense" in
stead Of "fortifcatlons for Defense"
Mr.. Hepburn opened the argument in
support of the bill. He pointed out that
the subject had been agitated generally
for fifty-four years and there always
had been some party in interest that
did not want the particular project
at that time, and now again I'VE see,"
he said. some OF these gentlemen Who
have before defeated action, protesting
that this Is not the suspicious moment.
All the reports," he said. were prac-
tically unanimous in favor OF the Mic
araugan route"
CIAYTON-BULwER TREATY.
Speaking Of the Clayton Bulwer
treaty ana the objection raised to the
project on the ground 1t was still In
force. Mr.. Hepburn declared amid a
general outburst of applause that the
Continued on Page s.