Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-13
CANAL BILL PASSED;
TWO IN NEGATIVE
HEPsURN's NICARAGUA ROUTE Is
ADOPTED BY VOTE OF
sos TO p


WASHINGTON. Jan. 10.-Ths Mica
raguan canal bin. introduced BY Mr.. Hep
burn, providing for the construction Of a
waterway from ocean 10 ocean. passed
the house yesterday afternoon late by an
overwhelming vote only two negative
ballots being cast
The two negative votes cast were by
CONGRESSMAN LaSsiter. Of Virginia. and
FletchRr.@nf -MtnDes0Ga-@- -.-s--aassa- 1871
The bin As passed authorizes the pres
idAnt 70 secure from the states OF Costa
RIGA and Nicaragua. in behalf Of the
United States, control Of such a portion
OF the territory belonging TO said states
as may be desirable and necessary on
which TO excavate, construct and protect
navigation and commerce. and appropH-
ates such a sum as may be necessary 10
secure the control OF said territory.
Section authorizes the president. after
securing control Of the needed territory.
10 direct the secretary OF war TO con-
struct such canal from the Caribbean
sea. at a point near GreyrOwn. in Mica
ragua. By way OF Lake Nicaragua. 20 a
point on the Pacific ocean near Brtto.
and also 20 construct proper harbOrs at
the termini Of said canal. and TO make
necessary provisions for the defense nf
the canal and harbors.
Sections and 4 authorize the president
70 make such surveys as may be neces-
sary and to employ such persons in con-
structing the canal as may 10 him seem
wise. and directs that in the construction
OF the canal the river San Juan and Lake
Nicaragua shall be used as far as they
are avaHabls-
Section ) authorizes the president TO
guarantee TO the states OF Costa Rica
ard 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 an appropriation
Of 100000 70 carry on this 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 to be paid for as ap-
preparations may be made from time to
time. The section hxes the aggregate
cost at sls0,0o0.0la 70 be drawn from the
treasury on warrants OF the president
At the conclusion OF 1Tr. Hephurn's re-
marks the bin was read for amendment
under the fve-minute rule.
Mr.. Shackieford. Of Missouri immedi-
ately offered the amendment 10 authorize
the president to determine the choice Of
routes as between Nicaragua and Pana-
ma. II the property and franchises OF the
Panama company could be procured for
s40.oa6o00. He explained thar the amend
neut offered BY him had been agreed upon
Mr. Norris and Mr.. Parker. Of New Jer-
ser. who had given notice that they would
offer similar amendments
Mr.. Underwood. OF Alabama. opposed
the amendment. saying the Democratic
platform had declared for the Nicaragua
canal
Mr. Morris. Of Minnesota. supported ii.
stating that the amendment had been
drawn BY him.
There was a lively running fight for
some time over the amendment. particle
pated In by Messrs- Cooper OF Wisconsin.
Williams Of Mississippi. Sims Of Tsnnes-
see. Mann Of Illinois, MorreIl Of Penn
syivania. and Fleming Of Georgia
The vote was then taken upon the
Shacklef0rd amendment.
Il was defeated upon a rising vote-I02
70 10. Nr. Parker. OF New Jersey De-
Almond and Mr.. Burgess offered various
amendments. which were voted down.
The committee then rose and reported
the bill to the house. whereupon Mr.. Can
non moved 20 TecOmmit the bin with in
structi0ns 20 report II hack within thirty
days. q substitute TO enable the president
20 acquire the necessary rights for a ca
nal from Nicaragua or Colombia and 20
authorize him 70 select the route within 81
days.
Hfr. Cannon tried to secure a record
vote upon his motion. but unavaiIingly.
The amendment was defeated without di-
vision and the vote was then taken unou
the passage OF the bin by the ayes and
nays
The vote stood: Ayes DIS. nays ?. The
announcement was greeted with applause.