Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-05-11
Nicaragua cana Bill
Passed By The House

day, at the conclusion of the most
Stony debate Of the present session
Ct Congress, passed the Nicaragua bill
by the whClming vote of 225 to 30.
Attempts to retain in the bill the Lam
guage Of the original bill for the furti-
iication Of the canal and to still further
strengthen the language on that line
were baked and the victory of Hep
burn and the committee was complete.
A molten to recommit the bill with in
structions to report back another bill
leaving the selection of the route to the
President, was buried under an adverse
majority of SO to III.
Cannon, chairman of the Appropria-
tions Committee, and Burton of Ohio.
chairman of the River and Harbor
Committee, made a game fight to stall
off action at this session, but their APP
peals were in vain and the members
rode roughshod over all their argu
ments and protests. Much excitement
rcigned throughout the day and several
times bitter words were used. The eX
element reached its climax in a high
ly dramatic scene between Hepburn
and Cannon, when the former used the
word 'lie" and liar" as he denounced
the distinguished chairman of the APP
preparations Committee for attempt
ing ito dishonor him." The House
was in riotous confusion during the
quarrel. Members crowded the aisles
and the situation at one time was so
threatening that Mr.. Wheeler of Ken
lucky (D) sought to pour oil on the
troubled waters by raising a point of
order. But he was not upheld and the
two irate members carried their war
to tn every hilt. There was n show of
peace at the close of the incident, but
the feeling between the two men ran so
high that the mutual retractions with
which such incidents generally end
were but the cloaks for the keenest and
most cutting sarcasm.
The bill as it passed the House Is dS
follows:
BE II enacted, etc, that the Presi-
dent Of the United States be, and he is
hereby authorized to acquire from the
states Of Costa RIGA and Nicaragua, for
and in behalf of the United States. con-
troll of such portion of territory now
belonging to Costa Rica and Nicaragua
as may be desirable and necessary on
which to eXcavate, construct and pro-
tect canal Of such depth and capacity
as will be sufficient for the movement
OF ships OF the greatest tonnage and
draught now In use, from n point near
Greytown on the Caribbean sea, via
Lake Nicaragua to Breto, on the Pa
cific ocean, and such sum as may be
necessary to secure such control is
hereby appropriated out of any money
in the treasury not otherwise appro-
priated
Section 2. That when the President
has secured full control over the terri
tory in Section | referred to, he shall
direct the Secretary of War to exca-
vate and construct the canal and water
way from point on the shore OF the
Caribbean sea near Greytown, by way
Of Lake Nicaragua. to point near
Breto, on the Pacific ocean. Such canal
shall be of sufficient capacity and
derth as that may be used by vessels
Of the largest tonnage and greatest
depth now in use. and shall be supplied
with all necessary locks and other ap-
planes to meet the necessities of YES
sells passing from Greytown TO Breto;
and the Secretary of War shall also
construct such safe and commodious
harbors at the termini Of said canal,
and such provisions for defense as may
be necessary for the safety and protec-
ton OF said canal and harbors.
Section g. That the President shall
cause such surveys as may be neces-
sary for said canal and harbors, and in
the construction of the same shall en-
ploy such persons as he may deem ne
cessary.
Section 4. That in the excavation
and the construction Of said canal the
San Juan river and Lake Nicaragua.
or such parts Of each rs may be made
available shall be used.
Section 5. That in any negotiations
with the states Of Costa Plea or Mic
araPua the President may have, the
President Is authorized to guarantee 20
said states the use Of said canal and
harbors upon such terms as may BIZ
agreed upon for all vessels owned by
said states or citizens thereof.
Section 6. That the sum Of SO 000,-
900 is hereby appropriated out Of anv
money In the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated toward the project herein
contemplated, and the Secretary of
War Is further authorized to enter in
% n contract or contracts for materials
md work that may be deemed neces-
snry for the prorer excavation. con-
7trnction. comrlcticn and defense OF
7oid canal. to be maid for rs a,nronria-
ions NAV from tire 70 TINE hereafter
""de not ~ exceed in the aggregate