The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-01-19
GEORGE F. BURGESS FIRST SPEECH.
Criticism of One Section of the Canal Bill,
but He Does Not Oppose Canal.

Washington, January t6.-Foliowing Is
the speech delivered by Representative
Burgess OF the Tenth Texas district on tue
Hepburn canal bill yesterday. This was
Mr.. Burgess first speech In congress-
Mr.. Chairman, regret. especially as
new member, that my sense OF duty inpels
me to criticlse q section OF this DILL anu
lest some carpIng critic, by reason OF what
I shall say. shall hereafter accuse me OIL
joiping with any real or Imagined toHes
10 defeat this measure. l desire 10 say tnal
/ am in thorough sympathy with the uis
tiuguished chairman who reported this Dill
when he says that the time for delay Is
past and that the American people demand
that waterway shall be constructed now
linking together the two great oceans that
bathe the shores Of the greatest Republic
IN the world. But fear of adverse criticism
ought not 10 deter even new member
from doing here what he must do every
wnere II ne would succeed; tnat Is, stahd
upon what his Judgment tells MIN is rlGhl
and wise.
nos cd and discussed here l shall for two
reasons support the bill without amend
ment as to route. First defer TO the Wis
dom Of the great committee before whom
this whole matter, | am sure, was fuzzy
considered; and, second, | defer to the Wis
dom OF n great party 10 which II is an
honor to belong and which declared IN its
last National platform in favor Of the
Nicaragua route. That declaration, as wei
as the wisdom Of the committee who have
fixed 1t in the bin, binds me to the support
OF that route.
Now, this great project presents Itself
naturally 10 the reasonable nina III TWO
yiews--hrst, as commercial aid; second,
rs military work With reference to the
first proposition, perhaps no state In the
American Union feels n deeper Interest in
this work or has more profound hope OF
seeing it undertaken and successfully ac-
compliShed than that state which in part
j have the honor to represent, nor does any
district in any State feel, Ia my Judgment,
quite deep an interest in this great
canal as the seaport city lying In the dis
trict which have the honor to represent
GalVeSton--stricken By q great storm, hut
10 the ocean and worlds commerce.
The commercial importance of this
project can scarcely be Oyerestimated eX-
cept III point OF time OF accomplishment
Given Its completion and the run of years
and Imagination can scarcely conceive what
effect upon this country and Its commerce
such a magnificent waterway would have
Thoughtful men recognize the factor OF
transportation as one of the controlling
elements in commercial growth, develop
ment, and supremacy and In the shorten
Ing OF the ronte from our ports 10 the
trade OF the Orient and the development OF
our commercial world Supremacy which
IS ours II we but grasp the opportunity anC
use 1t for all 1t Is worth, thoughtful mel
recognize that this canal increases all tn,
powers and opportunities that lie befor,
us.
But this IS equally true OF the 1nllltar!
feature OF this canal While II ShOtten
the route to the markets of the Orient, 1
shortens the route by which the Pacih
may aid the Atlantic and the Atlantic ail
the Pacific in the event of war with an,
foreign foe. The famous run OF the ore
gon around South America furnishes u
with a vivid picture of what II might b
worth to us In the event of war to hav
this canal so fortified and controlled q
that Immediately upon declaration Of wa
II could be seized by America, who own
It, whose money built It, and whose pres
dent negotiated the treaty permitting tn
nation of the project. and protect her cit
gems by all the military advantages that tn
canal when fortified would give us In tn
event of war.
In pressing this / am not urging upo
this house any delay about this matter
NIL. Practically am In favor OF no amen'
ment with reference TO this bill except
simple provision cutting out the Analogue,
language that closes section OF the hl
and fixing 1t beyond all question aud dl
pute so that without reference TO treat
without reference TO divers opinions Of di
tinguished senators, without reference
the discretion OF any secretary OF war, hov
ever able and honest now or hereaftc
the American people shall declare here an
now, through their elected representative
that they desire this cannl fortified so
20 he controlled against any forei/l powt
In the event OF war; and utilized for or
advantage. 1t is useless to argue that tn
language commands that, although II ma
be asserted. perhaps, that II permits Il.
The distinguished gentleman from low
mfr Hepburn was asked yesterday wit
reference to the fertilization OF this cana
and he asserted and ! agree With him 81
tirely, that America has the right TO fortsi
the canal. But II Is not question of ha
ing the right; II Is question Of excrcisr
the right at this time, 1t Is not q questiC
of abstract right existing in the people
hrush away treaties and to build fortidc
lions nj some future time, but II Us que
fion. in my Judgment Of starting right
the beginning and declaring in such expire
words that no ambiguity can arise VIII,
the discretion Of the secretary of war b
comes involved under this provision
This provision reads
"And the secretary OF war shall also co
struct such safe and commodious harho
at the terminl OF said canal, and such pr
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