The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-20
OPENING GUN FIRED IN
 THE GREAT CANAL FIGHT
Senator Morgan Aims at the Panama Project and Defends the Nicaragua Route--MakeS
 Telling Speech.

washington, April, 1s.-tSpecial)-The. Senate has heard the opening gun of the great canal fight. Senator Morgan fired it. He aimed at the Panama project and defended the Nicaragua route. Thurs day morning, according to a. notice he gave on the previous afternoon. he called up the canal bill and spoke for an hour while the other Senators listened to ms argument with tine strictsst attention.
 This speech of Senator Morgan was not the great effort he has had stored up Tor months to meet the efforts of the Pan- anna crowd. It was simply clear con- oiee story of the advantages the Nicara- fua route has over the Panama route' and g. statement of the facts relating to the canal project generally. Senator MOT gan choose to make the speech at tHhs lime merely to get his side of the project before the country. The canal bill was not under consideration, and the fact that he spoke on the measure does not even argue that it will be called up soon by the committee on the order of business in the Senate.
 At the beginning of the speech, Senator Hanna, the leader of the Panama advo- cates, was not in the Senate, but senator Morgan had been speaking but momem or so when some one informed the ono member, and he immediately returned to his seat. where he remained throughout his opponents argument. He was per haps the most attentive member on the floor. while Morgan spoke.
 The Senator from Alabama, wnose am hition. now is to hammer canal bill through Congress during this session, took the floor shortly after noon. For several minutes before he began to speak he stood at his desk to wait for silence. Calmly, as q marble statue might stand, he paused in the center aisle before the President's desk and looked over the as- sembly of his colleagues. He saw men there who, like himself, had fought Tor years in the interest of a canal proJect. Men from the South. actuated by the high motives of national welfare. were grouped about him to hear what he might say. On the other side of the green ana gold hall sat men of the North and West; some of whom were eager to join with the men of the South In their task to connect tho waters of the Atlantic and tho Pacific for the benefit of American commerce while others were ready to Heat: down in debate, for the benefit or the railroad corporations. every hand raised to help the canal. Morgan looked them over one and all, while fighting expression assumed shape on his stern old countenance.
 Then with the deliberation of one long used to the language of legislative halls. the gray old warrior began his fight. His voice is not strong. He makes no gestures. He even relies on his manu- script for nearly every sentence he ut- ters, yet there Is in what he says that interest which abounds in the address or the strongsYoiced, stalwart-armed ora tor who speaks without reference to notes.
 Senator Morgan said:
 MT. President, there is but one class of enterprises projected in the United States that is free from the control of private interests and is intended only to promote the general welfare. It is the class of enterprises that in some form, increase and facilitate ocean navigation. Such works are Government property and are guarded by every form of legal judicial. and executive power against the lntru- sion of private interests.
 All rivers, harbors. bays. and canals that aid the commerce of the country are free from private ownership and are open to the use of the people, upon equal terms.
 sThis policy can not he>reversed as to a ship canal to be constructed and owned by the Uniteea States to connect the great oceans with9kt NbEeach of public faith.
 Assuming that Congress is ready to un- dertske secAAya work Tn this spir' it of sincere devotion to the well fare of the people and to real ize the anxious hopes of all. except those who would profit. by further delays. wiIl address myself on this occasion to the question of the choice of routes for an isthmian canal. It is 3 question of the greatest moment. and should be consid- cred carefully. dispassionately. and with impartial sincerity.
 A mistake made in the selection of a canal route which will or may involve the failure of the effort to construct a. sale canal will be fatal
 A route that is safe for tho construction and maintenance of ship canal Is the supreme consideration that should con trol the selection now to be made by Con- gress. The interest at stake and the ex- penditures involved are too great to jus tify the abandonment of a safe route fol the sake of the possible saving of money in a less costly route that is of doubtful safety.
 I wish to present the facts that beal directly upon this subject, Not in full de- tail, but in just outline. for the considera ton of the Senate, and will make quota tons from the proofs, rather than state ments of their substance, in what l now ] have to say on this subject.
 In bringing the subject of an isthmar canal to the attention of the Senate il advance of the consideration of the sub 4ect bv the vote cf this body it is not my Intention to discuss the merits of thu measure passed by the House of Repre- sentatives and reported. without amend ,&ent. by th Committee on Interoceant Esnals. as national or commercial ques ton.
 I will assGmc that tno Senate. withou material division Of opinion IS convinced nat 4 canal is an indispensable. nationa necessity. and that the people. with al
 most complete accord. are demanding | Gss lAAt reason and for the addltIona