The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1902-01-17
WOULD DIG THR DITCH
Nicaragua Canal Bill Passed the
House, 3OS to ..
A Republican from Minnesota and
Democrat from Virginia
Voted Against It.

Washington. Jan. 9.-The Hepburr
Nicaragua canal bill passed the house
late this afternoon by practically 3
unanimous vote. Only two members
out OF 80 voted against it. Messrs
Fletcher, republican, OF Minnesota, and
Lassiter, democrat, OF Virginia were the
only two voting in the negative.
| Inc opposition to committing the
| government to the Nicaraguan route at.
tempted TO secure amendments TO lodge
with the president the discretionary
power to purchase and complete the
Panama canal, if it could be purchased
| for $4O,OOO,O00. The test came on the
first vote, when the advocates Of an al
tentative route polled 102 against 10
votes. At each succeeding vote their
strength dwlndled, until Mr.. Cannon of
Illinois, under whose leadership the fight
was made, was unable to get the yea
and nay vote on motion to recOmmit.
All other amendments failed and the bill
was passed exactly as it came from the
committee. None of the votes exrent
that on the final passage of the bill was
a record vote.
The debate which preceded the taking
or the final vote was made memorable
by clash between Mr.. Hepburn. the
author OF the bill, and Mr.. Cannon chair
man OF the appropriations committee.
On several previous occasions they have
measured swords over canal legislation
Two years ago a similar bill was passed
by vote of 224 to Sc.
The bill as passed today authorizes
the president to secure from the states
OF Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in behalf
OF the United States, control of such a
portion of territory belonging to said
states as may be desirable and neces
sary, on which to excavate, construct
and conduct canal suitable to the
wants OF modern navigation and COM
merce, and appropriate such a sum as
may be necessary to secure the control
OF the said territory.
Section 2 authorizes the president,
after securing control of the needed
territory, to direct the secretary of war
to construct such canal from the
Caribbean sea at point near GreytOwn
In Nicaragua by way of Lake Nicaragua,
to point on the Pacific ocean near
BrltO, and also to construct proper
harbors 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 make such surveys as may be
necessary and to employ such persons
IN constructing the canal as NAV to him
seem wise, and directs that in the con
etruction of the canal the river San
Juan and Lake Nicaragua shall be used
as far as they are available.
Section 5 authorizes the president to
guarantee to the states of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua the use of the canal and
harbOrs, upon terms to be agreed upon,
Tor vessels owned by citizens thereof.
The last section makes a present ap-
preparation OF $1O,OOO,OOO to carry on
this work, and authorizes the secretary
OF war to enter into proper contracts
for material and work as may be deemed
necessary therefor, such work and ma
terial to be paid for as appropriations
may be made from time to time The
section fixes the aggregate cost at
$3.50, 100000, to be drawn from the
treasury on warrants OF the president.