New-York tribune., 1902-01-10
THE CANAL BILL PASSED
FINAL VOTE IN THE HOTSE
WAS SO8 TO g.
ALL AMENDMENTS REJECTED = THE
SENATE TO CONSIDER THE WHOLE
QUESTION WITH GREAT CARE
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1R1-SE. /,

Washington. Jan. 9.-As predicted bv The
Tribune from the opening of the With Con-
eress, the House this afternoon passed the Hep
burn Nicaragua Canal bill without amendment
The overwhelming majority of 3OS TO shows
as repeatedly stated in these dispatches. that the
House in this case, as in nearly every other mat
ter OF importance, eagerly shifts responsibility
70 the Senate whenever the least opportunity
10 do so is presented. AS shown by the speeches
made by such leaders of both sides of the House
as Mr.. Cannon. of Illinois, and Mr.. De Almond,
of Missouri TO say nothing of the expressions
of lesser lights, the House plainly is in favor
Of the construction of an isthmian waterway
on the terms prescribed by the Hepburn BILL
but ii is notorious in Washington that the
House dare not do anything in these days which
is suspected of unpopularity. The rules which
govern the body, of course, are largely response
Bile for results, though it is submitted that under
vigorous and courageous leadership
great a handicap as is contained in these rules
would be overcome in so extraordinary case
as this one.
1t is stating the matter mildly TO say that
there is no thought among the majority Of the
House, irrespective OF political affiliations that
the Senate viii pass the Hepburn bill without
close and prolonged struggle with the amend
ments that may eliminate the Nicaragua route
from all consideration. With the understanding
that the Senate will straighten out whatever
tangle there may be in the canal question before
passing it finally, the members Of the House
have given their votes 10 a measure which few
of them believe will ever become a law in its
present shape. What influence except that OF
fear is responsible for this remarkable situation
nobody here pretends 10 know. 1t has become
an axiom among House members that it is easier
to vote as actual or supposed public clamor de-
r17aTa hn
paign for reelection comes around, and trust TO
the Senate to keep legislation within the bounds
best suited to the promotion os the national in
terest.
INVESTIGATION BY THE SENATE.
This diagnosis of the matter does not mean
necessarily that the Senate eventually will not
adopt the Nicaragua route as the best and most
feasible It does mean, however. that the entire
responsibility for the selection OF the route has
been imposed on the upper chamber Of Congress
According to the best information obtainable. it
is the present intention Of the Senate to go into
the whole question thoroughly and sift it as
though the House had never dealt with il, and
even TO call TO its aid in special capacity the
members of the Isthmian Canal Commission and
other persons who have had occasion or oppor-
ruuity TO acquaint themselves with the merits
of every route across the isthmus that has been
considered or investigated.
How much time will be consumed by the Sen
ate in such investigation this cannot now
be told, although the chances at present de-
cidedly against anything like the precipitate
haste that has characterized the treatment of
the subject by the House. 1t is possible. of
course. that the Senate can rush its work
through TO completion this session. but few well
informed persons in Washington expect this.
The proba bilities seem to favor delay in final
on 10 RI 0f he Sen ia TTrrf1 he
ing session Of this Congress. which. of course,
would carry the whole matter over for at least
year.
HEPBURN AND CANNON IN CONFLICT.
To-day's debate in the House was notable for
the sharp conflict it provoked between Messrs.
Hepburn and Cannon. who at best never on
terms Of cordiality. Mr.. Hepburn covertly
charged Mr.. Cannon and everybody else who
had questioned the wisdom Of the Hepburn bill
with secret hostility to all canal legislation. Mr.
Cannon repudiated this charge as vigorously
as il had bsen made. and for little while the
House had all the excitement it could reason
ably desire while these two gladiators stood
facing each other with swords drawn. 1t was
not strange. therefore, that the House broke into
loud laughter when. the final rollcall. Mr.
Cannon voted for the Hepburn bill.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, chairman Of the
Committee on Interoceanic Canals, continues to
VIEW the outlook Tor definite ana hnal leglsId-
ton this session with confidence, in spite of
al the signs TO the contrary. He declares that
ne is going TO push with vigor immediate con-
sioeration Of his resolution calling for rigid
Investigation of the alleged relations bets
the transcontinental railroads and the French
Panama Canal Company. Whatever Senator
MoTgan's belief may be, II is evident that one
OF his chief objects in pursuing these tactics is
10 produce IN the Senate, if possible, the same
panicky feeling that was created in the House
by Mr.. Hepburn and thus force the Nicaragua
bill through. 1t is not regarded as at all likely,
however that the Senate be frightened as
the House was Hence it is not probable that
Senator Morgan will have easy sailing as
Mr.. Hepburn mad