Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-01-09
TIE ISTANIAN CANAL
The Subject Brought Up in Con.
grsss Yesterday.
4 LIVELY DEBATE IN The HOUSE.


ho8Ol0t1O0-1bu ZOE EokWou0Db
Census Bureau.
Washington, Jan. 8.-The first
notes of the contest between the
Nicaragua and Panama routes for
the isthmian canal were heard in the
senate yesterday. Senator Morgan
offered and secured the adoption OF .
resolution which indicated his pur-
pose to have the committee on inter-
oceanic canals inquire into the rela-
tons alleged to exist between the
transcontinental railroad companies
Of the United States and Canada and
the Panama Canal company. In ex-
PLANTATION Of the resolution Senator
Morgan declared that the alleged re-
lations were a wicked monopoly"
which already had cost the people OF
the Pacific coast millions OF dollars.
The relations involve the control by
the Panama Canal company of the
Panama Railroad company and the
agreement existing between certain
railroads OF the United States and
the Pacific Mail Steamship company.
Over 300 bills and joint resolutions
were introduced yesterday in the
senate.
At the conclusion OF business yes
terday the senate paid graceful
compliment to Senator Foraker, OF
Ohio, adjourning until two o'clock to-
day, in order that senators might at
Ssnd the marriage Of Miss Foraker
At noon, without interfering with
their Legislative duties.
The debate on the Nicaraguan ca
nal bill in the house was opened in
lively fashion yesterday by Mr.. Hep
burn, chairman Of the interstate and
foreign commerce commission, which
reported tho bill. For two hours he
held the floor, replying to volley Of
questions concerning the recent offer
Of the Panama Canal company TO sell
its property md franchises to the
, United States for $l0,OO0,OOO. The in
terest in the debate centered almost
entirely in this new phase Of the sub
ject. Mr.. Hepburn maintained that
the alleged new offer OF the Panama
company was part Of the plan of de-
lay, All his utterances along that
line were literally npplauded. He
pointed ont what he claimed was the
suspicious circumstances that the
Panama company held out for Sl09,-
0O0. 1000 until it was DECIDED before the
holiday recess to consider the Near
aqua bill and then suddenly dropped
the price to Sin0oO.OOO Mr. Morris,
of Minnesota. gave notice that at the
proper time he would offer an amend
mcnt TO authorize the president. II
he could procure the property and
rights of the Panama company for
$4O.OOO.OoO, II concessions could he
procured from Colombia and " the
Walker commission so recommended
to purchase and proceed to complete
the Panama canal. The other speak
ers were Messrs Davis, OF Florida;
Richardson. Of Alabama; Mann, OF
Illinois, and Adams. OF pennsylva'
nia.
Mr.. Cooper, Of Wisconsin, chair
man Of the house committee on In
sular affairs. introduced bill giving
a complete form of civil government
Tor me fhil'phnes 10 peg'h '"n""r,
], 1904, with governor appointed
ny the president, a legislature 81 'wo
houses and with two fhilipplne com
mlssioncrs to represent 'he'fl''p'ho'
at Washington
A bill OF much interest TO cxNoh,
federate soldiers WAS favorabiy aeteo
upon by the house committee on wal
claims. 1t provides for paying former
confederate soldiers for horses
brides. saddles and side arms taker
from them in violation OF tho term'
OF surrender made by Gems Lee anf
Johnston with Gems. Grant and Sher
man. The bill was introduced by Mr.
Padgett, OF Tennessee.
Mr.. Hooker, OF Mississippi, intro