Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-19
IS NEARING A FINAL VOTE
Interest in Isthmiau Canal Question
steadily Increases Hs the
Days Go By.

WASHINGTON, June Is.-Interest in the
isthmian canal question increases as the
time for a inal vote in the senate ap-
proaches. Tomorrow at 2 o'clock the vot-
ing on the amendments to the pending
Nicaragua canal bill will begin and final
disposition OF the matter is expected to be
reached soon afterwsrd.
The senate today devoted its entire ses-
sion to the consideration of the canal ques-
tion. Extended speeches were delivered by
Mr. Spooner Of Wisconsin and MIR. Hanna
Of Ohio in advocacy of the adoption Of the
Panama route and Mr.. Pettus of Alabama
advocated the selection Of the Nicaragua
route. Mr.. Teller Of Colorado briefly an
nounced his support of the Panama project,
while Mr.. Jones OF Arkansas indicated his
leanings toward the same route.
Little that is new was developed by any
of the speakers.
Taylor Case Called Up.
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 omnibus
public buildings bill and 1t was agreed to.
A bill to restore to the active list Of
the navy Surgeon John Walton Ross, as
medical director was passed.
resolution offered several days ago by
Mr.. Carmack, directing the civil service
committee to inquire into the discharge
from the War department of Miss Rebecca
j. Taylor (for the publication OF articles
in newspapers criticising the presidenD
was called up and Mr.. Carmsck addressed
the senate in support OF the resolution.
He maintained that the requirements Of the
civil service law had been hagrantly vio-
lated In this case, inasmuch as he said Miss
Taylor had had no charges preferred
against her, nor had she been afforded op-
portunity to make answer to any charges.
He maintained that a letter inquiring
whether Miss Taylor was the author OF a
certain newspaper article, and her admis-
sion that she had written the article, did
not constitute q charge against her within
the meaning of the civil service law. He
intImated that she was discharged DE
cause she took the wrong side of the
Philippine question from the administra-
tion point of view
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Carmack's re-
marks the isthmian canal question was laid
before the senate.
JOu6b OI AIhhuSdS D6tlcNtu IL " 10
the duty of every senator to vote for the
canal at the best location. Personally, he
said, he would not vote for the proposition
that would impede the progress Of the ca
nails construction. He was not willing to
brush aside the unanimous report Of the
isthmian commission in favor Of the
Panama route, unless 1t be for substantial
reasons. He favored the Panama route,
but would not vote for II II there were any
doubt Of the good faith Of the offer
He desired Mr.. Spooner, who was about
to address the senate, to explain the charge
that the adoption of the Panama route was
to have no canal at all.
spoOner on Canal Bill.
In beginning his speech in support of
his own proposition, Mr. spooner said the
construction OF an isthrnfan canal was a
colossal enterprise and one which he be-
lieved the American people with notably
| little division of sentiment, desired should
be inaugurated and carried forward. No
higher more solemn duty ever rested
| upon men in public life than to determine
this question rightfully.
Mr. Spooner eulogized the isthmian canal
commission, declaring that nobody would
| attempt to impeach it's integrity, ability or
! engineering skill. All knew that the OBJ
| ject of appointing the commission was to
afford congress the data and expert opinion
which would enable it to proceed conserva-
lively and wisely. He declared that the
| eyes OF the American people had not been
focused simply upon the Nicaragua route.
| From the time the commission was ap-
pointed, 1t had not been a question Of a
canal (as all favored that), but merely a
question OF route.
1
practically there was no authority for the
building Of canal by either the Nicaragua
| or Panama routes.
| Mr.. Hanna then began his closing argu-
ment in support of the adoption of the
Panama route. The members Of the
Isthmian Canal commission, he said, had
been appointed because OF their ability.
integrity and engineering skill and he pre-
sented answers to questions he had pro-
| pounded to them, the answers being par
| ticularly In favor OF the Panama route.
He maintained that both the Panama and
Nicaragua routes were perfectly feasible
and practicable. but said the preponder-
ance OF the evidence in hand was in favor
OF Panama.
Mr.. Hawley read from a document to
| show that the climate at Panama was a
deadly one and insisted that on that ac-
count the United States should not select
that route.
In advocating the adoption OF the Mica
rauga route Mr.. Pettus declared that the
American people wanted and would have
an isthmian canal to be built, owned and
controlled by the United States.
The District Of Columbia appropriation
bill was sent to conference, and Mr..
Spooner offered some amendments intended
| - q q -
senate adjourned.