The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-01-16
At WashingtOn

AL aSnIDELOn.
The Hepburn Nearaguan Canal bill
passed the House, late Thursday, by
practically a unanimous vote. Only two
members out of 80 voted against it.
Fletcher, Rep, Mimi, and Lassiter,
Dem, Va, were the two voting in the
negative.
The opposition to committing the
government to the Nicaraguan route,
attempted to secure amendments to
lodge with the President the discretion
airy power to purchase and complete the
Panama canal, if it could be purchased
for $40, 600, 900. The test came on the
first vote when the advocates of an al
Tentative route polled 1902 against ITO
votes.
The bill as passed, authorizes the
President to secure from the states of
Costa RIGA and Nicaragua, in behalf of
the United States, control of such por
ton of the territory belonging to said
states as may be desirable and necessary
to secure the control of said territory.
Section authorizes the President,
after securing control of the needed
territory, to direct the secretary of war
to construct such canal from the tarib-
bean sea at point near Greytown, in
Nicaragua, by way of Lake Nicaragua,
to point ON the Pacific ocean near
Brito, and also to construct proper har-
bors at the termini of said canal, and to
make necessary provisions for the de
Tense of the canal and harbors.
Sections and authorize the Presi
dent to take such surveys as may be
necessary and to employ such persons to
construct the canal as may to him seem
wise and direct in the construction of
the canal the river San Juan and Lake
Nicaragua shall be used as far as they
are available.
Section 8 authorizes the President to
guarantee to the governments of Costa
RIGA and Nicaragua the use of the canal
and harbors, upon terms to be agreed
upon, for all vessels owned by said
states and by citizens thereof.
The last section makes present ap-
preparation of $10,000,000 to carry on
the work and authorizes the secretary
of war to enter into proper contracts for
material and work as may be deemed
necessary, such work and material 10 be
paid for as appropriations may be made
from time to time, and the aggregate
cost at $l80,000,000. to be drawn from
the treasury on warrants of the Presi-
dent.
The Senate committee on census,
Thursday, unanimously agreed to rec
ommend the passage of the bill intro
duced by senator Hale to create per-
manent census bureau.
Secretary Gage has received tele-
gram from Governor Shaw stating that
he cannot arrange his affairs 30 as to
take charge of the Treasury Department
on the date set, and asking Mr.. Gage to
remain until Feb. /. Secretary Gage
has consented to do SO.
cablegram received at the State
Department from United States Consul
General Bingham at Cape Town, an.
nounces the acquittal and release of DR..
Richard s. Anthony, who has been on
trial there on charge of high treason
and aiding the enemy. Anthony is an
American citizen but has lived for some
time in South Africa, where he married
Boer woman. Mrs Anthony is at
present in san Francisco
The really important work of the
House of Representatives aside from the
Nicaragua anal bill, is still in the COM
mittee stage, so that there is little of
importance TO be considered during the
coming week Monday was given to
bills affecting the District of Columbia.
Gov. Burleigh will be at the head of
the subcommittee of the House that
considers the public building bills this
year from New England. The bill for
public building at Bar Harbor to cost
500, 900 was introduced by Mr.. Burleigh
last week. Ii has been referred to the
committee ON public buildings and
grounds.
Hon Joseph H. Manley is in Wash
ington for few days.
The House has fixed the day of hold
ing a memorial meeting in honor of
President Mckinley, February 27.
senator Hale introduced a bill We'd
nesday providing for organization of a
naval reserve of 10000 men and 600
officers.