New-York tribune., 1900-05-02
CANAL BILL IN THE HOUSE.
CONSIDERATION OF THE NICARAGUA
PROJECT AT LAST BEGUN.
ADVOCATES OF THE HEPBURN MEASURE
DETERMINED TO FORCE IT TO VOTE
WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY
IBY TELEGRAPH To ruE rRIpuxr.I

WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY
Try TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington May To-day. for the first time
and after nearly half a century Of popular dis
cussion Of the subject the House of Represen-
tatives hogan the serious consideration Of a
hin providing for the construction OF ship
canal to connect the waters of the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans. In that period no less than five
examinations and surveys OF the proposed Mica
ragua route. besides the in progress.
have been made resulting in more or less elab-
crate reports and estimates of the cost OF the
work. IN one form another the subject has
been pending before Congress for the last quar-
ter OF century, and the speeches delivered on 1t
would MI scores of volumes. The project has
been the subject of favorable mention in a
number Of political platforms. and the theme
of numberiess newspaper editorials.
DETERMINED TO FORCE VOTE
Whether or not it he wise or expedient to deal
with the question in the manner proposed and
a this time, a serious and earnest determina-
tion IS evident on the part of the trainers and
advocates Of the pending measure pass the
bill through the House of Representatives with
cut any unnecessary DELAY # they can muster
the votes 10 do They are in no mood 10
brook further delay out Of consideration for the
treaty pending in the Senate. the fact that the
Waller Commission has completed the in
vestGation and report required by the last
CONGRESS. Fra fact that the United States has
rot yet acquired a right of way through or over
which % build the proposed canal. or for any
o-hor reason There were some indica tions to-
Cay. however. that the members of the
Iliitteo which decided to report the bill by
no Taears agreed on the form and provisions of
the measure Three distinct lines Of sentiment
Were indicated:
First-That represented by Chairman Hep
burn. which favors the amendments agreed on
By the majority Of the Committee on Interstate
and Foreign Commerce.
Second-That which prefers the bill in its
original form with provisions for the fortii-
cation and defence Of the canal. when built by
the United States
Third-That represented by Mr. Fletcher OF
the committee, Mr.. Cannon and others which
while insisting that il favors the canal project
is opposed 20 the passage of any canal bill at
this session.
OF course, those who opposed TO the canal
project in toto prefer postponement and delay
10 any action whatever. How numerous they
are is not known. but they include some mem
bers from the Middle West and some from the
South who choose to hide their real sentiment
and purpose under the cloak Of a simple post
ponement Of the question. The advocates of
that policy also have the benefit Of whatever
aid and encouragement the Influences behind
the sO-Called Panama Canal Company NAV
be able 10 give them.
CHAIRMAN HEPBURN's ARGUMENT.
Chairman Hepburn, Of the Interstate Com
merce Committee, who opened the debate to-
day. did with a vigorous and interesting ar
sument in advocacy Of the bill as it was pro-
posed TO amend it. He evidently believed that
the changes recently made Of form rather
tnan OF substance, and he so expressed himself.
He also admitted that If the Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty should be ratified by the Senate such
action would be unfortunate for the provisions
Of the pending bill. Mr.. Hepburn is elo-
quent speaker as well a most earnest and
enthusiastic advocate Of the Nicaragua project
and he on his mettle to-day, as he thought
he could perceive the near fruition of his hopes.
Mr.. ShacklefOrd, Democratic member of the
committee, followed Mr.. Hepburn in a speech
IN which he declared against the building of any
fnteroceanic canal if the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
was to be ratified. or unless the United States
was to control and defend it. He thought the
uphoiding OF the Monroe Doctrine was more i'm
portant than the building of a canal that this
country could not absolutely control. Mr. Low
ering. of Massachusetts. who is also member
OF the committee. and others advocated the
amended bill in strong and earnest speeches.
STRONG OPPOSITION ENCOUNTERED.
The debate was notable because of the unex-
pectedly powerful opposition developed. Mr.
Burton. OF Ohio. chairman Of the River and
Barbor Committee: Mr. Hit, of Illinois, chair
man Of the Foreign Affairs Committee. and Mr..
Cannon of Illinois. chairman of the Appropri-
atoms Committee. threw the weight of their in
fiuence against al, not because they opposed
TO the building of the canal. but because they
considered that the time for authorizing its con-
struction had not arrived. Mr.. Burton and Mr..
Hit contended that the bill would violate the
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, which guarantees neu-
trality of the canal. Mr.. Hit used strong words
in his denunciation OF the attempt violate the
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. He styled IT "a cyni-
cal disregard Of the moral law and an attempt
10 commit the American people to open
perjury" Mr.. Cannon created something OF a
sensation by quoting Admiral Walker, chairman
of the Isthnlian Canal Commission. as saying:
We prepared say when the
canal across the is1hmus should be constructed
or which is the best route. and it will take the
remainder of the year to determine these two
the construction of the canal over the Nicaragua
route this time would delay the building
~ il for years, and cost the Government
$50 600 600
The debate also developed other lines of oppo-
siticn. Some Of the Democrats insist that the
amendments striking the words defend" and
fortiicatiOns' from the bill designed to
make il harmonic with the Hay -Pauncefote
Treaty. and that il is Objectionable that ac-
count. The anomalous situation is therefore
presented Of practically every member the
floor expressing his friendship for the canal. and
yet Of powerful opposition arrayed against it
on various grounds.
Ex-Secretary Sherman Of the inter
ested listeners the floor. and Admiral Walker
followed the proceedings from a seat in the re-
served galleries. The debate was continued q
night session.