The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-19
Interest Increases as Time for Vote Draws Close
 at Hand.
SPOONER MAKES 4 LONG
 PLEA FOR PANAMA ROUTE
Pays Tribute to Morgan, in Which He Says History Will Record the Aabamian as the Father of
 lne Isthmian Canal.

Washington, June ls.-Interest in tho isthmian canal question increases as tho time for final vote in the Senate ap- breaches. Tomorrow at ? o'clock the vot- ing on the amendments to the pending Nicaragua bill will begin and a final dis position of the matter is expected to be reached soon afterwaId.
 The Senate today devoted practically Its entire session to the consideration of the canal question Extended speeches were delivered by MT. Suooner of Wis | ocnsin and Mir. Hanna of Ohio in advo- oacy of the adoption of the Panama route, and Mir. Pottus of Alabama advo- | oated the selection Of the Nicaragua route. MT. Teller of Colorado briefly an- nounced his support of the Panama pro- ject while MT. Jones of Arkansas indi- cated his leanings toward the same | loute.
 A resolution offered several days ago by Mir. CarmaCk directing the civil serv- ice commission to inquire into the dis | charge from the War Department of Miss Rebecca J. Taylor flor the ublica- tion of articles in the newspapers crlti- ing the President" was called up. and Mir. Carmack addressed the Senate in support of the resolution He intimated that she was discharged because she took the wrong side of the Philippine | question from the administration point of view"
 Canal Debate.
 At the conclusion of MT. Carmacks remarks the isthmian canal question was laid before the Senate.
 MT. Jones of Arkansas believed it to be the duty of every Senator to vote for the canal bill at the best location. He fa- vored the Panama route but would not vote for it if there was any doubt of good faith of the offer.
 He desired MT. Spooner. who was | about to address the Senate, to explain away the charge that the purpose of l adopting the Panama route was to have no canal at all.
 In beginning his speech in support of his own proposition MT. Spooner said the construction of an isthmian canal was colossal enterprise and one In which ne believed the American people with nota- | bly, little distinction of sentiment de- sired should be lnaugurated and carried forward. No higher or more solemn duty l ever rested upon men in public life than | to determine this question rightly. MT Spooner eulogzed the isthmian canal commission
 Panama Route Cheaper.
 MT. Spooner contended that the Pana- ma canal could be operated much more cheaply than the Nicaragua canal, and that in its operations sailing ships not only would not be barred ds had been suggested, but could pass through the caral with a tug in one day. l While the Wisconsin Senator was pointing out some of the advantages or the Panama route as indicated by the | commission. MT. Morgan interjected the remark that he was prepared to contro- | vert them.
 T have no doubt" retorted Mir Spoon- CT. that the Senator Is prepared to con- trovert anything that may be said In | favor of the Panama route.
 Referring to the action of the commits sion in commenting the Panama route, MT. Spooner declared that the commits sion dealt with the subject the second time in view of the lowering of the price of the Panama property from $109O00,OoO to $40,oo0o00.
 Mir, Spooner paid a cordial tribute to the energy, ability and earnestness with wbich MT. Morgan had advocated an isthmian canal. and added that MT. Mor- gan's name would stard in history as the father of the canal.
 Hanna Begins His Speech.
 MT Hanna began his closing argument | ma route maintaining that both tho Pan- ana and Nicaragua routes were perfectly feasible and practicable, but said thu prepondei arce Of the evidence ir hand was In favor of Panama
 MT Hanna expre ssed the belief that | sailing vessels would not use any canal that might be constructed on account of | the heavy price of towing, but said if sa,ing vtssel did use a canal 1t would Fl efer the Parama osnal because It was | so much shorter than the Nicaragua l route MT. Hanna stated that MT. Mo Kirley had favored en isthmiar canal probably by the Nicaragua route, because | at that time other route was thought l practicable. He quoted Mir. Mckinley as saving to him we must not go so fast in this cana; question now. We do not krow and cannot tell now what route | will be selected
 MT. Hanna said Mr. Mckinley keenly appreciated he responsibilities of his se- 1 lection Of a canal commission. ard had said to him, just before the Philadelphia convention: Tt will not be wise to de- clere m favor of the Nicaragua canal as we have done before as I am just now appointing a commission Of ability and integrity to investigate all routes. and Its report will be binding upon all of us.'
 While Mir Hanna was discussing the findings of the commission. he mentioned the Darten or Sen Bias route.
 If you want a sea-level canal" inter. jected MT. Scott "a canal that can bt built for oDe-third of the money any other route will cost, you must take tht | Darien route"
 Mir Hanna declared that if any conces- | sicps for the San Bias route were ob. tainsd they would have to be gotten from the Panama Company. which controlled | them.
 In conclusion MT. Hanna said he never had intended that the name of Mckin. ley should be brought into the debate tt be conjured with to obtain votes With some heat hc resented the suggestion that he and those Senators who were advocat.