The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-12

On the other hand. the Nicaragua route
traverses an almost continually volcanic
tract, which has been during the last
three-quarters OF a century probably the
most violently eruptive in the western
hemisphere. The active volcanoes, Ia
patera and Ometepe rise actually from ;he
waters of Lake Nicaragua.
''12. At Panama earthquakes are few and
unimportant, while the Nicaragua route
passes over a lire of well-known crustal
weakness. Only five disturbances OF any
sort were recorded at Panama during 1901,
all very slight. while similar official rec
ords at San Jose de Costa Rica, near the
route of the Nicaragua canal, show, for
the same period. fifty shocks, number OF
which were severe.
''13 As practical matter the masters OF
vessels prefer the Panama route for safety,
convenience and shortness of transit for
its less curvature and risks, and Tor the
lower insurance rate by that route
EXTRAORDINARY ADMISSION
.I have said that the reports of the COM
mission were unanimous. They were, in
fact. signed by each member, but since
their submission one of the commissioners
appeared before the committee and dissent
ed from the conclusions of the commission.
L quote from his testimony:
"rMr Haunt As the question
before this committee is largely one of the
selection of two routes, / beg leave to say
that while conceding to the wishes or the
majority and signing report in order TO
secure legislation at this session. L still feel
and did then that there were certain eco
nomic, physical, engineering. sanitary and
commercial advantages inherent TO the
Nicaragua route which gave il a decided
preference over the Panama route.
This extraordinary admission should
eliminate Mr.. Haupht from further consid-
Grafton in connection with the subject OF
the canal. The Congress wished for the
frank and unbiased opinion of the commits
sioners but by the admission of this officer
he deliberately signed a report stating es-
sential facts and conclusions to be true
which, according to his present testimony,
were not true and we'll founded. By his adj
mission he is a discredited witness. Which
shall we accept? The opinion he solemnly
expressed in the report of the commission,
or the opposite conclusion which he SUD-
mitted to the committee on interoceanic
canals? We shall not pause TO consider
whether he was right when acting with the
commission or when he testified before the
committee. We have not time to reconcile
his conflicting views. His opinions and tes-
timony should be dismissed as unworthy or
credence.
''The honorable senator from Oregon
(Mr. MitchelD in a speech OF rare power
adverts to the colossal frauds which have
been perpetuated in connection with the
Panama canal enterprise and is of the
opinion that ii is not good natlonal policy
10 take up the work where 1t Is left OH by
the canal company. The distinguished SEN
ator is not too severe in cOndemning the
frauds which have heretofore surrounded
the Panama enterprise. They are perhaps
concern us nor should they deter us from
the use of a valuable route which nature
has partially prepared for the purpose OF
commerce.
I'VE have nothing but words of censure
for those who have hitherto betrayed their
trust and brought noble undertaking into
worldwide disfavor. But we take the prop
erty free from any taint. The title OF the
United States will be derived in an entirely
legal and proper way It will not come from
those upon whom rests any stain or blem-
ish. Because those who initiated the Pana-
ma enterprise brought IL into dlsrepute,
shall the way to the construction OF a canal
at Panama be forever closed?
During the course of his interesting
speech the honorable senator from Oregon
(Mr. MitchelD criticised some American
gentlemen for representing the Panama
Canal Company in the United States in
cuding among the number ex-Secretary of
the Navy Colonel Richard w. Thompson,
of Indiana. ! cannot believe that the sena-
tor would attribute 10 the late Colonel
Thompson the willful commission of any act
which was in derogation or the nigh ONCE
he held, or which a gentleman OF sensitive
honor might not properly do. Colonel
Thompson left the Cabinet of President
Hayes to become managing agent of the
Company. At that time the company had
not fallen into disfavor. What act Colonel
Thompson did while connected with the
company which would fairly subject him TO
criticism / have never heard mentioned. If
there was such act ii has not been. so far
as l am advised, made public
son was a distinguished and honorable
citizen of the State of Indiana. He was
man of the utmost rectitude of character;
he possessed in an eminent degree the re-
spect and admiration of all parties and of
all classes There was man within the
limits of the State more beloved than he.
When he died, but few years ago, at the
advanced age of nearly ninety-two years,
he bequeathed nothing but the rich herit-
age of an honorable name. No stain what
rested upon 1T. believe that the most
critical search OF the records of the Ameri-
can branch of the canal company during
the few years he was associated with IL
will disclose no act of his which could
Justly be made the basis of a charge that
he had in the remotest possible degree
betrayed his trust.
TITLE OF CANAL.
'It is asserted, with much apparent con-
fidence, that it is impossible for the United
States to secure an absolute, clear title
to the property of the new Panama Canal
Company, and that If We acquired the
property we would take it subject to in
numera bic demands of stockholders and
creditors. and that we would find ourselves
involved in vast and inextricable confusion
and legal difficulties.
From such examination as / have been
able to make, | do not think that the con-
tention is well founded and believe that
the United States will take the property, If
it shall purchase ii. free and clear of all
demands OF StOCknOluerS ana creditors, ana
that il will not rest under any legal, equi-
table. or moral obligation 10 pay one dollar
beyond the S40000.0O0. the price asked by
the Canal Company.
1T will profit little to go into the long.
legal history and all the details OF the
original Panama Canal Company, and OF
the company now owning the property.
Reference to a few salient features will
suffice The Compaignie Universelle du
Canal Interoceanique, known as the "Old
Company" was incorporated under the
l1v nd md ha
struction OF the Panama canal. IL obtained
and held proper concessions from the gov
ernment OF Colombia. The company was
organized and the work of construction
was begun by Ferdinand de Lesseps. who
was then et the zenith of his power and
the civilized world looked forward with
confidence TO the successful consumma-
ton of the great and long-delayed under
taking. But the enterprise was fated, the
corporation became insolvent. and by the
close of 1888 proceedings were taken in a
French court having jurisdiction for it's
dissolution. The court. upon proper hear
ing. by a decree passed Feb. 4. 1889 found