The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-01-10
NlCARAGUAN BILL PASSED
HOUSE OVENWHELMINGL IN FA-
TOR or THIS ROUTE.
But Two Votes Against the Hepburn
Bill for Canal Through Nicaragua
Supporters of tho Panama Scheme
Badly Routed-Their Amendments All
Voted Down of the Hep
burn Bill.
burn Bill.

Washington Jan 9.-The Hepburn
Nicaraguan canal bNl passed the house
late this afternoon by nearly unani-
nous vote. Only two members out of
312 voted against it, ndessrs. Fletcher,
rep, of Minnesota, and Iassiter, dem,
OF Virginia were the two voting in the
negative The opposition to commit
ting the government to the Nicaraguan
route attempted to secure amendments
to lodge with the president the discre-
tionary power to purchase and COM
plete the Panama canal IL it could be
purchased for S40000,000. The test came
on the first vote when the advocates of
an alternative route polled 102 against
170 votes. At each succeeding vote
their strength dwlndled until MI, Cam
non of Illinois, under whose leadership
the fight was made, was unable to get
the ayes and noes on a motion to re-
commit. All other amendments failed
and the bill passed exactly avs it came
from the committee. None of the
votes, except that on the final passage
of the bill. was record vote
The debate which preceded tho taking
OI Tile IlIld1 NOle Was llldOe liGAipl q VIC
by clash between Mr. Hepburn, the
author of the bill, and Mr.. Cannon,
chairman of the appropriation commit
tee. On several previous occasions
they have measured swords over canal
legislation. Two years ago similar
bill was passed by vote of 224 TO 36.
The bill as passed to-day authorizes
the president to secure from the states
Of Costa Rica and Nicaragua in behalf
Of the United States control Of such a
portion of the territory belonging to
said states as may be desirable and
necessary on which to excavate, COLL
struct and protect canal suitable 40
the wants of modern navigation and
commerce, and appropriates such SUM
as may be necessary to secure the con-
troll of said territory.
Section authorizes the president af
ter securing control of the needed ter
1itory to direct the secretary of war to
construct such canal from the Caribbean
sea at point near Greytown, in Mica
ragua, by way of Lake Nicaragua, to
a point on the Pacific ocean near Brito
and also to construct proper harbors
at the ternjnii of said canal and to
make necessary provisions for the de-
fense of the canal and harbors.
Sections 8 and 4 authorize the pres-
dent to make such surveys as may be
necessary and to employ such persons
in constructing the canal as may to
him seem wise and direct that in the
construction of the canal the river San
Juan and Lake Nicaragua shall be used
as far as they are available.
Section authorizes rne president to
guarantee to the governments of Costa
Rica and Nicaragua the use of the
canal and harbors, upon terms to be
agreed upon, for all vessels owned by
eaid states and by citizens thereof
The last section makes a present |
Appropriation of $10,0O00OO to carry on
this work, and authorizes the secretary
of war to enter into proper contracts !
for material and work as may be deem
ed necessary therefore, such work and |
material to be paid for as appropria-
tions may be made from time to time. |
The section fixes the aggregate cost at |
$780, 900 to be drawn form the treas |
ury on warrants of the president.