The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-06-20
In the Great Canal De.
bate
IN SENATE
Nc kiniey's Position on the
Canal Question Recalled by
Senator Hanna - Arsu-
ments for Panama.

Washington. June 19.-The senate
Wednesday devoted practically its en-
tire session 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 Pan
ANA route, and Mr.. Pettus, of Ala
bama, advocated the selection of the
Nicaragua route. Mr.. Teller, OF Colo
rado, briefly announced his support
of the Panama project, while Mr..
Jones, of Arkansas, indicated his
leanings toward the same route. Lit
tie that is new to the discussion was
developed by way of the speakers.
Mr.. Hanna made his closing argu-
ment in support of the adoption of the
Panama route. The members Of re
isthmian canal commission, he s.
had been appointed because of their
ability, integrity and engineering skill,
and he presented answers he had pro-
pounded to them, the answers being
particularly in favor of the Pana-
ma route.
He maintained that both the Pana-
ma and Nicaragua routes were perfect
ly feasible and practicable. but said
the preponderance of the evidence in
hand was in favor of Panama.
Mr.. Hanna expressed the belief that
sailing vessels would not use any canal
that might be constructed on account
of the heavy price Of towing, but said
If all sailing vessels did use a canal 1t
would prefer the Panama canal be-
cause il was so much shorter than the
Nicaragua route.
Mr.. Hanna, in answer to some ar
guments of Mr.. Morgan, then stated
what he knew personally of the atti-
tude of the late President Mckinley.
Mr.. Mckinley had favored an isthmian
canal, probably by the Nicaragua
route, because at that time no other
route was thought possible. He quot
ed 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 keen.
ly appreciated the responsibilities of
his selection of canal commission
and had said to him, Just before the
Philadelphia convention: 1T will not
be wise to declare in favor of the
Nicaragua canal as we have done be-
fore, because l am just now appointing
a commission of ability and integrity
to investigate all routes and its report
will he binding upon all of us"
While Mr.. Hanna was discussing ths
findings of the commission, he men
toned the Darien or San Bias route.
II you want a seat level canal"
intcrjected Mr.. Scott, "a canal that can
be built for onc-third of the money
any other route will cost, you must
take the Darien route"
Mr.. Hanna declared that If any con-
cessions for the San Bias route were
obtained they would have to be gotten
from the Panama Canal company,
which controlled them.
In conclusion, Mr.. Hanna said he
never had intended that the name Of
Mr.. Mckinley should be brought into
the debate to be conjured with to OBJ
tain votes. With some heat he resent
ed the suggestion that he and those
senators who were advocating the
Panama route were actuated by any
other than proper and patriotic mo-
tives. They believed that tho Pana-
ma route was the most practicable
route and he thought it poor cause
which inspired men with the motive
TO make such insinuations.