The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-20
CANAL BILL UP JAN. I.
NICARAGUA WATERWAY MEASURE
is TO BE A SPECIAL ORDER
ON THAT DATE
Is NOT A PARTISAN QUESTION
Mr.. DearmOnd, of Missouri, ON a
Question of Privilege, Accuses
the Postoffice Department
of Unfairness.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. - Before the
house adjourned today over the holiday
recess until Jan 6, a special order was
made for the consideration of the Mica
ragua canal bill, beginning on Tuesday,
Jan. Z, and to continue until the bill is
disposed of-the order not, however, TO
interfere with revenue or appropriation
bills. The session of the house was brief,
the major portion of the time being &C.
cupied by Mr.. Dearmond, of Missouri. in
making personal explanation regarding
reports circulated in his district concern
ing his course In the matter OF the extern
sion of the rural free delivery.
Representative Hepburn, of Iowa, chair
man of the house committee on COM
merce, made the report of the committe.
in favor OF the Nicaragua canal bill. At
ter stating the terms of the bill, the re-
port says in part:
1.-The purpose of this bill Is to concen-
trate authority and responsibility for the
construction of this great work in the
hands of the president. 1t has been be-
lieyed by your COMMITTEES that this course
would be safer one to be pursued Ill
carrying out the purposes OF the Dill IN
volving the expenditures OF so large a
sum of money, all the work and all the
expenditure to be made at a distance so
method that could be devised"
The report refers to the exhaustive re-
mort made by the isthmian commission,
of which Admiral Walker is the head, In
which every feature of this enterprise is
fully and at length discussed" and ADDS:
mo doubt is expressed by the COM
mission as to the practicability OF the
ENTERPRISE On the contrary, they JOIN
with the score of predecessors III ex-
pressing their belief that the Work caA
be carried to a successful termination
Within the limits Of reasonable cost ana
reasonable time All of the great polit-
icaI narties are committed to the policy
Of the construction Of this canal
Dearmond's Complaint.
Mr., Dearmond sent to the clerks desk
ard had read a letter sent by him 10 the
first assistant postmaster general asking
that official what his status was to- be
in regard to appointments IN the rural
free delivery service in his district. Mr..
Payne IN. W made the point of order
that, the letter did not constitute a queS-
ton of personal privilege.
Speaker Henderson ruled that no ques-
ton of personal privilege had been pre-
scented, whereupon Mr.. Dearmond OBJ
tained unanimous consent to make a
private statement He explained that
rumors were circulated in his distric.
that he had caused action on free de-
livery routes to be held up during his
absence in the Philippines. Those re-
ports, he said, were circulated by those
who lied, and knew they lied. He read
letters to prove his contention. In con-
clusion he declared that the postoffice de-
partment had not treated him frankly,
fairly or in manly way" 1t had not
answered the pertinent question regard
ing the division of carriers between the
parties. He charged that the conduct
of the department was in the interest
of certain Republican bosses in Missouri.
one of whom hoped to get into the Unit
ed States senate.
Uncle Joe Is Particular.
When Mr.. Hepburn asked unanimous
consent that the Nicaraguan canal bill
be made a special order for Jan. l. sr.
Cannon asked whether the passage OF
the bill would embarrass the executive
in securing the right Of way through
Nicaragua or Costa RIGA.
Mr. Hepburn said he knew of no ne
gotiation that would be interfered with
by this legislation. On the contrary,
he said legislation must precede acquisi-
ton, the bill itself providing means for
the requirement of the right of way.
Mr.. Richardson, the minority leader
said this was in no sense a political
question, and there was no objection to
the proposition on his side of the house,
Mr.. Cannon said he was in favor of the
building of the canal, but he thought
there should be a place to put the canal
before it was authorized. AS this was
a request for consideration, however. he
would not object, and the order for con-
sderation of the bill was made.