The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-19
Two Notable Addresses Mark the Last
Day of General Debate on the
Waterway Question.
VOTE WILL BE TAKEN TODAY
TRIBUTE BY THE WISCONSIN sENA-
TOR TO JOHN II. MORGAN,
whose Name VIII Pass Into History
as Father of the Canal"-Fea-
lures of the Discussion.

| WASHINGTON, June lS.-Interest in the
| isthmian canal question increases as the
time for a final vote in the Senate ap-
| proaches. Tomorrow at o'clock the
voting on the amendments TO the pending
Nicaraguan canal bill will begin. and a
/ final disposition Of the matter is expected
to be reached soon afterward. The Senate
to-day devoted practically its entire ses-
sion TO consideration Of the canal question
Extended speeches were delivered by Mr..
! Spooner of Wisconsin, and Mr. Hanna, OF
| Ohio. in advocacy Of the adoption OF the
Panama route. and Mr. Pettus, of Alabama.
advocated The selection Of the Nicaraguan
route. Mr.. Teller, of Colorado, briefly an
nounced his support Of the Panama prof.
ect, while Mr.. Jones, Of Arkansas. indi-
Gated his leanings toward the same route.
| When the Senate convened Mr.. Allison
called up the House resolution providing
that the conference committee on the sun
dry civil appropriation bill be authorized
TO consider and recommend the inclusion
of necessary appropriations TO carry out
the several objects authorized in the omni-
bus public buildings bill. and it was
| agreed TO.
The bill to restore to the active list Of
the navy Gen. John Walton Ross as med
! ical director was passed.
In the course OF his speech on the canal
bill Mr.. SpOoner paid a cordial tribute to
the energy, ability and earnestness with
which Mr.. Morgan had advocated an 18TH
milan canal, and added that Mr. Morgans
name would appear in history as the father
/ of the canal.
Mr.. Morgan said he bowed his acknowl-
edgmsnts for the beautiful compliment,
but he was not depending upon his judg-
ment in the matter
A NATTER OF IMPORTANCE
Mr. Spooner suggested that matter OF
infinite consequence to mis- mind was the
difference i'm the length OF the two routes
one forty-rine miles and the other 1S3 miles
long. The shorter canal-the Panama-he
thought was the better. He contended that
the Panama canal could be operated much
more cheapy than the Nicaragua and
that. in its operation, sailing ships not only
would not be barred, as had been suggest
ed. but could pass through the canal with
a rug in day.
In presenting mis- substitute. Mr. spooner
said IL was his purpose 10 place before the
Senate bill based upon the commissions
report First. that the Panama canal was
practicable; second, that the Nicaragua
canal feasible ana practicable. and.
third, that the Panama route was the bet
ter for the United States.
In response TO a suggestion OF Mr.. Nor
gan that the opening OF negotiations with
Colombia would render void the rights OF
Costa Rica, Mr.. Spooner pointed out the
constitutional inability OF Costa Rica 10
negotiate on the subject with the United
Mr.. Morgan offered a note he had Just re-
ceived from the minister of Costa Rica,
saying that he was authorized by his gov
eminent TO sign treaty for a canal SUBJ
| stantially as presented TO the Senate.
These diplomatic notes" replied Mr..
Spooner, ARE coming so fast that it is a
little difficult TO keep up with them" Pri-
vate notes, however, did not make treaties,
and he held that Costa Rica could not make
such a treaty with this country.
MIR Hanna, in the closing argument in
support of the adoption OF the Panama
route, said the members OF the isthmian
| canal commission had been appointed be-
cause of their ability. integrity and en-
cheering skill. and he presented answers
to questions he had propounded TO them.
the answers being particularly in favor OF
the Panama route. He maintained that
both the Panama and Nicaragua routes
were perfectly feasible and practicable. but
said the preponderance of the evidence in
hand was in favor OF Panama.
Mr.. Hanna expressed the belief that sail
ing vessels would not use any canal that
might be constructed on account or me
heavy price Of towing, but said N sailing
vessel did a canal it would prefer the
Panama canal, because IL was so much
shorter than the Nicaragua route.
HANNA ON MKINLEY'S ATTITUDE.
/ Mr.. Hanna. in answer to some arguments
of Mr. Morgan. then stated what he knew
personally of the attitude OF the late Pres
, ident Mckinley Mr.. Mckinley had favored
; an isthmian canal probably by the Mica
! ragua route, because at that time no other
/ route was thought practicable. He quoted
Mr. Mckinley as saying to him: I'VE must
not go so fast in this canal question now
! We do not know and cannot tell now what
. route Will be selected.
Mr. Hanna said Mr.. Mckinley keenly
appreciated the responsibilities Of his Sc
lection of "A canal commission, and mad
D said TO him, just before the Philadelphld
convention: ut will not be wise 10 declare
in favor Of the Nicaragua canal as we
have done before; because l am just now
appointing a commission Of ability and IN
tegrity 10 investigate all routes, ana IT'S
= report will be binding upon all OF us
While Mr.. Hanna discussing the nnd-
\ ing Of the commission ne mentioned the
IF YOU want sea level canal" inter
. jected Mr. Scott, "a canal that can De buiit
!: for one-thrd of the money any otner route :.
S will cost you must take the Darten route
q This statement precipitated colioquy aS
to the San Bias route. Mr.. Scott mace
e brief argument in support OF that route;
5 along the lines OF the resolution ne oIeIs e
several weeks ago. Mr.. Elkins agreed with
= him and asked how a vote could De had
Il will tell you how 10 get a vote on the
I Darien route" interjected Mr.. Mitchell,
e "and that is to vote down the Spooner sub
IN other words" put in Mr.. spooner.
facetiously. will you come into my par
! Tor, SaiG the SPIDER 10 the ny.
Mr. Hanna declared that II any conces-
{ sions FOR the San Bias route were obtained
they would have 10 be got from the Pan
ANA Canal Company, which controlled
[ | them.
In conclusion Mr.. Hanna said ne never
/ had intended that the name OF Mr. McAln-
ley should be brought into the debate 10 DC
. | conjured with 10 obtain votes With some
| heat he resented the suggestion thal ne
and those senator's who were advocating
!, ! the Panama route were actuated by any
= | other than proper and patriotic motives
! | They believed that the Panama route was
. | the most practicable route. and ne thoueht
= II a poor cause which inspired men Win the
v | motive 70 make such insinua lions Mr.
]. | Hawley read from document 20 show That
| the climate at Panama OF deadly ma
: ture and insisted that on that account the
: United States should not select that route.
= j. o. l.. A. VI. Onicers.
J MILWAUKEE. Wis. June ls-The Junior