The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-10
cannon and Hepburn CIashed
Over The Old Question
Of Delay
OPPOSITION DEFEATED
ON EVERY PROPOSITION
Final Vote stood 3os to 2, and Vir-
qlnla Democrat Cast One of the
Negative votes-Hepburn
Is Sarcastic,


Washington. January 9-The Hepburn
Nicaraguan canal bill passed the House
late this afternoon by practically
unanimous vote. Only two members out
of 310-Messrs. Fletcher of Minnesota, Re
publican. and Lasster of Virginia, Demo-
crat-voted against it. The opposition to
committing the government to the Mica
ragua route attempted to secure amend
ments to lodge with the President the
discretionary power to purchase and COM
plete the Panama canal if it could be
purchased for s4OOOo.O0O
The test came on the first vote, when
the advocates of an alternative route
polled 102 against 10 votes. At each sue
ceeding vote their strength dwindled un-
til Mr. Cannon of Illinois, under whose
leadership the fight was made, was un-
able to get the ayes and nays on mo-
ton to recommit. All other amendments
and the bill passed exactly as they came
from the committee.
Hepburn and Cannon Clash.
The debate which preceded the taking
a clash between Mr.. Hepburn, the author
of the bill, and Mr.. Cannon. chairman of
the appropriations committee. On several
previous occasions they have measured
swords over canal legislation Two years
ago a similar bill was passed by a vote
of 224 to &c.
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 por-
ton of the territory belonging to said
states as may be desirable and necessary
In which to excavate, construct and
prospect canal suitable to the wants Of
modern navigation and commerce, and
appropriates such sums as may be neces-
sary to secure control of said territory.
Section authorizes the President, after
securing control of the needed territory.
to direct the Secretary of War to con-
struct such canal from the Caribbean 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 harbors at the
termini CT said canal and to make neces-
saiy provisions for the defense Of the
canal ana nafDOrS.
To Make Survey.
Sections three and four authorize the
president to make such surveys as may
be necessary and to employ such persons
in constructing the canal as may to him
seem wise. and directs that in the con-
struetion of the canal the river San Juan
and Lake Nicaragua shall be used as
far as they are available.
6va fha fo
guarantee to the states of Costa Rica and
Nicaragua the use of the canal and har-
bors, upon terms to be agreed upon for
all vessels owned by said states and
by citizens thereof
The last section makes present appro-
priation of $40, 600, 900 to carry on this work
and authorizes the Secretary of War to
enter into proper contracts for material
and work as maybe deemed necessary
therefor, such work and material to be
paid for as appropriations may be made
from time to time. This section fixes the
aggregate cost at s1s0,O0O,0O0 to be drawn
from the treasury on warrants Of the
President
In anticipation of vote upon the Mic
aragua canal bill today there was large
attendance on the floor when the House
met. Under the order made yesterday
the general debate was to close at Q
o'clock. when the bill was to be read for
amendments under the five minute rule.
Mr.. Adamson cf Georgia the first speak,
or today urged the passing of the Hep
burn bill without amendment. He argued
that the time had come for action and
that equivocation now could only result
in delaying the commencement of the
canal
Plenty of Time.
II the Panama Company had an offer
70 make which we would accept, he said,
there would be time enough to take ad-
vantage of it when the bill was pend
ing in the Senate or later In conference.
Mr.. Wooten. of Texas. also argued that
the bill should be passed without
amendment If the Morris amendment
was adopted, he sad the canal would
become a conditional project surround
ed by doubts and difficulties which
might doom 1t to final failure owing to
international political complications. He
declared that 1t was rather q strange
to amend the bill had in the past op-
posed the passage of any bill. He re-
garded the Morris amendment as mod
ern Trojan horse.
Mr.. Weston said he did not favor an
amendment to fortify the canal. He be-
4, heved such an amendment savored more
Of spurious sentiment than sound and
salutary sense. He favored a neutral
canal.
At this time, upon request of Mr.. Da-
Wis, of Florida. the time for general de-
bate was extended until 2:30 p. m.
Mr.. Sparkman. of Florida, spoke in
favoro the Hepburn bill.
Cannon Takes Floor.
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois. chairman of the
appropriation committee. took the floor
His remarks We're given close attention.
The building of the canal he said, was a
business proposition and should be con-
Bidered from business standpoint Mr.
Hepburn. who is In charge Of the bill
Mr.. Cannon criticised the 1owaian for
Withholding his speech from the record
and Hepburn characterizing Mr. Cannons 8
criticism as "querulous and for improper
b.4xnose." stated that he only exercised 3