The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-01-10
CANAL Bill IS PASSED

Only Two Members of House
Oppose Nicaragua Ditch.
HEPBURN AND CANNON CLASH. |
Amendment Providing for Considera-
tion OF Rival Route Is Voted Down.
Aggregate Cost of Canal Is Fixed at
$19o,ooo,ooo.
Washington, Jan. 10.-The Hepburn
Nicaraguan canal bill passed the
house late yesterday afternoon by
practically a. unanimous vote. Only
two members out of $40 voted against
1t. Fletcher (Rep., Minn.) and Lassi-
ter (Dem., Va.) We're the two voting
in the negative. The opposition to
committing the government to the
Nicaraguan route attempted to secure
amendments to lodge with the presi-
dent the discretionary power to pur-
chase and complete the Panama canal,
If it could be purchased for $40,O00,-
600. The test came on the first vote.
when the advocates of an alternative
route polled 102, against ITO votes.
At each succeeding vote their
strength dwindled until Cannon Qlls),
under whose leadership the fight was
made, was unable to get the yeas and
nays on a motion to recommit. All
other amendments failed and the bill
frnY n q
committee. None of the votes except
that on the final passage of the bill
was a record vote.
The debate which preceded the TAX
ing of final vote was made memorable
by clash between Hepburn, the au-
thor of the bill, and Cannon, chair
man of the appropriations committee.
On several previous occasions they
have measured swords over canal leg
1slation.
Two years ago a similar bill was
passed by vote of 224 to 36. The
bill as passed yesterday authorized
the president to secure from the
states of Costa Rica and Nicaragua
In behalf of the United States, such
q portion of the territory belonging
to said states as may be desirable and
necessary to excavate, construct and
protect canal suitable to the wants
of modern navigation and commerce
and appropriates such sum as Is
made necessary to secure the contro
of said territory.
Section 2 authorizes the president
after securing control of the needed
territory to authorize the secretar.
of war to construct such canal from
the Caribbean sea at point nea
Greytown, in Nicaragua, by way o
Lake Nicaragua, to point on the Pa
cific ocean, near Brito, and also to con
struct proper harbors at the termin
of said canal and to make necessar
provisions for the defense of the cana
and harbors.
Sections and authorize the pres
dent to make such surveys and en-
ploy such persons in constructing tn
canal as to him may seem necessar
and directs that in the constructio
of the canal the river San Juan an
Lake Nicaragua shall be used as ia
rs they are available.
Section authorizes the presider
to guarantee to the states of Cost
Rica and Nicaragua the use of tn
canal and harbors upon terms to b
agreed upon for all vessels owned b
said states and by citizens thereof.
The last section makes a prese1
appropriation of $1O,000,00O to carry Q
this work and authorizes the secretar
of war to enter into proper contract
for material and work as may
deemed necessary therefor. such wor
and material to be paid for as appr
priations may be made from time
time. The section fixes the aggr
gate cost at $1S0000,0o0, to be draw
from the treasury on warrants of tt
nrasident