The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-01-15
IN CONGRESS.

Washington, Jan. S-The first notes
of the contest between Nicaragua and
Panama routes for the isthmian canal
were heard in the Senate on Tuesday.
Mr. Morgan offered and secured the
adoption of a resolution which indi-
Gated his purpose to have the commit
tee on inter-oceanic canals inquire
into the relations alleged to exist
between the transc continental rail
road companies of the United States
and Canada and the Panama Canal
company. In explanation of the reso-
luton Mr.. Morgan declared that the
alleged relations were a wicked mo-
nopoly (Which already has cost the
people of the Pacific coast milliors of
dollars. " The relations involve the
control by the Panama Canal com
pany of the Panama Railroad com
pany and the agreement existing be-
tween certain railroads of the United
States and the Pacific Mail Steam
ship company.
The debate on the Nicaragua canal
bill in the House was opened lively
by Mr. Hepburn, chairman of the in
terstate and foreign commerce com
mittee which reported the bill. For
two hours he held the floor replying
to vOlley of questions concerning
the recent offer of the Panama Canal
company to sell its property and fran
chises to the United States for $40,
600, 600. The interC st i'll the debate
conferred almost entirely in this new
phase of the subject Mr.. Hepburn
maintained that the alleged new offer
of the Panama company was part of
the plan of delay. All his utterances
along that line were applauded He
pointed out what he claimed was the
suspicious circumstances that the Pan
anna company held out for 500, 600, 600
until it was decided before the Holt
day recess to consider the Nicaragua
bill and then suddenly dropped the
price to $40, 900, 900. Mr. Morris of
Minnesota gave notice that at the
proper time he would offer an amend
ment to authorize the President if he
could procure the property and rights
of the Panama company for $40, 0O0,-
600, if concessions could be procured
from Columbia and if the Walker com
mission so recommended to purchase
and proceed to complete the Panama
canal. The other speakers were
Messrs Davis of Florida, Richardson
of Alabama, Mann of Illinois, and Adj
ans of Pennsylvania
Washington, Jan. 9.-The Senate de-
voted Wednesday to considering pri-
vate pension bills Mr.. Gallinger
chairman OF the committee on pen
siOns said no pension exceeding $50 Il
month would be recommended by the
committee for the widow of a gen
eral officer and that pensions for the
widows of other officers would be
scaled down propOrtionately.
The debate on the Nicaraguan canal
bill developed sentiment i'll favor of
giving consideration to the recent
offer of the Panama company to sell
its franchises and property for $40,
600, 600, this sentiment taking the form
of advocating the Morris amendment
to empower the President to select
the latter route if the canal commits
sion, upon considering the company's
offer recommends it and the required
concession can be obtained from Co
lombia. OF sixteen members who
spoke on Wednesday nine favored the
Morris amendment. 1t was agreed
that general debate should close today
at two o'clock after which the bill
will be open to amendment under
the five minute rule.
The agricultural committee of the
House has arranged a program of
hearings on oleomargarine bills.
The hearings will begin January -,
the dairy interests having that date.
The oleomargarine and allied inter
ests then will have Jan. 20 for rebuff
tai, and Jan. 81 will be given to Con-
gressmen who have introduced oleo
bills.