The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-08
SAVANNAH

been and never will be a day when
some gentleman viii not be able TO
urge some reason for postponement. ="
(Applause.)
I'VE have been suffering from that
for years. I am assured by those who
know that the protocol with Nicaragua
has reached such stage that we are
certain to get what we want" CAP
plause)
Replying to Mr.. Cannon's inquiries
as to the conditions of the protocol
with Nicaragua. Mr.. Hepburn stated
that his understanding was $5000,0o
and $10O0.OOO were about the figures
allowed Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Mr. Cannon closed the colloquy with
Mr.. Hepburn by stating that while
he had always favored the canal, he
was satisfied the precipitate passage
of this bill sacrificed advantages which
the United States now possessed and
meant heavy increase in cost which
would have to come out of the treasury
Davis Pleads for Canal.
Mr. Davis of Florida, a member of
the committee which reported the bill
followed Mr.. Hepburn with an earnest
plea for it's passage. He advocated the
Nicaragua canal route rather than the
Panama route and insisted that the
time had now arrived when talk should
cease and work begin. I'VE need this
canal" said Mr.. Davis, "for the con-
venience and the expansion of our COM
merce; we need it for the proper hand
ling of our navy, for bringing nearer
together our eastern and western
shores for the prot ction OF our isfand
possessions and fof easy access to
them. The American farmer needs il,
that foreign markets may be opened
UP for the products of his toll, the
merchant and manufacturer, that they
may compete with rivals in other
lands"
Mr. Richardson of Alabama also sup
ported the bill arguing that the Mica
rasuan route was preferable in many
ways to the Panama route.
No Two Commissions Agreed
Mr.. Mann, Illinois, declared that the
experts who had examined the routes
had differed widely. No two commits
sions ever had agreed either upon the
cost or route and it was therefore with
some hesitancy that he accepted I'M
reservedly the report of the last COM
mission. Mr.. Mann pointed out that
the estimates of the various commits
sions appointed to examine the Mica
ragua route ran from $31, 100000 to
$1S9,00000 600. He said that the contrac-
tors who built the Chicago drainage
tciidi Ol tHt pdSlS Oh estimates, Ildue
fortunes in profits.
Mr.. Adams, Pennsylvania, who OPP
posed a similar bill at the last session
on account of the then existence of the
Clayton Bulwer treaty. thought that
the offer of the Panama Company
should receive careful consideration.
If the cost of the two routes were sub
stantia1ly equal. he contended that the
Panama route was preferable With
the conclusion of Mr.. Adams remarks,
Mr.. Morris of Minnesota gave notice
that at the proper time he would offer
the following amendment:
To Give President Option.
Provided. however that if the PAN
anna canal SO far as constructed and
the property, rights, privileges and
franchises, of all The corporations or
persons interested therein can be ac-
quired by the United States, free and
clear of all membranes, for a sum
not exceeding $4,000, 900, and in addi-
ton thereto equally desirable political
and territorial rights and privileges
as in case of the Nicaragua route and
at no greater expense, within six
months from the passage of this act.
then the president of the United States,
if the 1sthman Canal Commission or
majority thereof shall so recommend
is hereby authorized to purchase the
same, and to complete the construction
of said Panama canal, subject to all
the conditions and limitations afore-
said. And the sum of $50,000,000 Is
hereby appropriated out of any money
priated toward the project herein con-
terminated