Gilpin observer., 1902-01-16
ALBILLPASSED
ONLY TWO VOTES AeAiNsT THE
NiCARAGUAN MEAsURE.
Amendment Providins for considerr-
tion of Rival Route is Votes Down.
Aggregate Cost of Canal is Fixed a:
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Aggregate Cost of Canal is Fixed 4:
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Washington. Jan. 10.-The Hepburn
Nicaraguan canal bill passed the
bouses late yesterday afternoon by
practically. unanimous vote. Only
two members cut Of 80 voted against
it, Fletcher REP. Minn.) and Lassi-
ter (Dem., Va.) were the two voting
in the negative The Opposition to
committing the goyernment~,> to the
Nicsraguan 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 100000
0C0. The test came on the first vote.
when the advocates of an alternative
route polled 102, against 10 votes.
At each succeeding vote their
strength dwindled until Cannon Qlls.J,
under whose leadership the fight was
made, was unable to get the yeas and
nays On motion to recommit. AL
other amendments failed and the bill
passed exac ly as it came from the
committee. None of the votes except
that on the final passage of the bill
was a record vote.
Tho debate which preceded the tall
ing OF final vote was made memorable
by a clash between Hepburn, the au-
thor OF the bill, and Cannon, chair
man of the appropriations committee.
On several previous occasions theJ
have measured swords over canal leg
islation.
Two years ago similar bill was
passed By a vote Of 224 to So. The
bill a. passed yesterday authorized
the president to secure from the
states CT Costa Rica and Nicaragua,
IN behalf of the United States. such
portion of the territory belonging
TO said states as may be desirable and
necessary to excayate, construct and
protect canal suitable to the wants
of modern navigation and commerce
and appropriates such sum as is
made necessary to secure the control
Of said territory.
Section authorizes the president,
after securing control of the needed
territory. to authorize the secretary
of war to construct such canal from
the Caribbean sea at point near
G-eytown. in Nicaragua, by way OF
Lake Nicaragua, to point on the Pa
cifc ocean, near Brito. and also to con-
ssruct proper harbors at the termini
OF said canal and to make necessary
provisions for the defense Of the canal
and harbors.
Sections 3 and authorize the presi-
dent to make such surveys and en-
ploy such persons in constructing the
canal as to him may seem necessary
and directs that in the construction
of the canal the river San Juan and
Lake Nicaragua shall be used as far
IS they are available.
Section 8 authorizes the president
to guarantee to the states OF Costa
Rica and Nicaragua the use of the
canal and harbors upon terms to be-
agreed upon for all vessels owned by
said states and by citizens thereof.
The last section makes present
appropriation of $4,000. 900 to carry on
this work and authorizes the secretary
of war to enter into proper contracts
for material and work as may be
deemed necessary therefor. such work
and material to be paid for as appro
priations may be made from time to
time. The section fixes the aggre-
gate cost at s1sO,OO0.OO0. to be drawn
from the treasury on warrants of the
president.