Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-01-16
FEDERALLAW MAKERS.


notes of the contest between the
Nicaragua and Panama routes were
heard in the senate. Senator Morgan
offered and secured the adoption OF a
resolution which indicated his pur-
pose to have the committee on inter-
oceanic canals inquire into the rela-
lions alleged to exist between the
trans-continental railroad companies
Of the United States and Canada. ard
the Panama canal company. In ex-
PLANTATION he declared that the alleged
relations we're a wicked monopoly"
which already had cost the people OF
the Pacific coast millions of dollars.
The relation involves the control by
the Panama canal company of the
Panama railroad. company and an
agreement existing between certain
railroads of the United States and the
Pacific Mail Steamship company.
Owe 300 bills and joint resolutions
were introduced. Among these was
one for a postoffice building in New
York. appropriatiEg s2,500,0O0; one
for a memorial arch in honor of the
late President Mckinley, and one APP
propriating $4,000, 900 for buildings for
the Departments of state and justice.
At the conclusion of business the
senate paid graceful compliment to
Senator Foraker of Ohio, by adjourn
ing in order that the senators might
attend the marriage of Miss Foraker.
The debate on the Nicaragua bill
III the house opened in lively fashion
by Mr.. Hepburn. chairman of the
interstate and foreign commerce COM
mission, which reported the bill. For
over two hours he Neld the floor, re-
plying to a volley of questions con-
corning the recent offer of the Panama
canal company to sell its property and
franchises to the United States for
$40 ,00G, 900 Interest in the debate
conferred almost entirely in this new
phase of the subject Mr.. Hepburn
maintained that tie alleged new Of
fer of the Panam. company was part
of plan of delay. All his utterances
along that line were literally ap-
plauded. He pointed out what he
claimed was a suspicious circumstance
that the Panama company held out for
S109 900 900 until it was decided before
the holiday recess TO consider the
Nicaragua bill and then suddenly
dropped the price to $40,000,000. Mr..
Hepburn pointed out the advantages
of the Nicaragua route for sailing yes
sells on account of the better winds
prevailing. contending that it was
mistake to suppose the sailing ship
was destined to disappear from the
, ocean. Where the Panama route
was located sailing ships sometimes
lay five months in the doldrums. When
Mr.. Hepburn said he had hoped that
the proposed waterway would be free
of charge to American ships there was
an outburst of applause on the repub-
lican side. If that might be done, he
said, it would give great impetus to
American shipping. Concluding, Mr..
Hepburn said there might be some
interests in the United States which
believed they would be harmed by the
rivalry of this canal and there were
gentlemen of honest purpose who
thought the time was net ripe for the
building of canal or that an enter
prise of such magnitude should not be
undertaken. They we're, perhaps, ter
rified by spectre of scandal. But"
he continued, 81 insist that the Ameri-
can people have made their decree
that the canal shall be built and now
is the time to build it." Mr.. Davis
(Fla.), member of the committee
which reported the bill, followed Mr..
Hepburn with an earnest plea for it's
passage. Mr.. Richardson (Ala) sup
ported the bill, arguing that the
Nicaraguan was preferable in many
ways to the Panama route. Mr.. Mann
Clll.) declared the experts who had
examined the routes had differed
widely, but he did not believe a mis-
take could be made in passing the
pending bill. M Adams (Pa)
thought that the Panama cUmpany's
offer should receive careful considera-
ton. Mr.. Morris (Minn.) gave
notice that at proper time he would
offer an amendment providing that if
the Panama company's property, etc.
can be had for S4O,000.OOO the presi-
dent be authorized to purchase and
complete the canal. and appropriate
ing s50,OOO,0O0 toward the project.