The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-10
The Republic Bureau.
18th ST. and PENNSYLVANIA Ave

lfth St and Pennsy wanna ave-
Washington, jan S.-The House to-day
passed the Nicaragua Canal bill b. an
overwhelming majority. Only two mem
bers-F1etcher RepD of Minnesota, and
Lassiter Oem) of Vtrginia-voted TO.
Before the vote was taken, Messrs. De
Almond and vandiver spoke briefly in
favor of the canal, but urged certain safe
guards for the protection Of the rights OK
the people in this great project.
The bill will not get through the Senate
by such decisive vote, and its fate there
is believed to be very doubtful.
The general disposition shown by the Re-
publicans in the House. was to get the bill
through as soon as possible and let the
Senate amend it. It is certain to be
amended in that body and delayed, II it
is not sidetracked. for the present season
The opposition to committing the Govern
ment to the Nicaraguan route attempted to
secure amendments to lodge with the
President discretionary power to purchase
and complete the Panama Canal, II It
could be purchased for s40.O0a00O. The test
came on the first vote. when the advo-
Gates Of an alternative route poIled 1o2
against 10 votes. At each succeeding vote
their strength dw.ndIed until Mr.. Cannon
of Illinois. under whose leadership the fight
"oS maui was 10 Sek Tie yeas duu
nays on motion to recomuit. All 9TH
er amendments failed. and the bill PASSED
exactly as II came from the committee.
None OF the votes except that on the final
passage Of the bill was record vote.
The debate which preceded the taking Of
final vote was made memorable by a clash
between Mr.. Hepburn, the author of the
bill. and Mr.. Cannon chairman of the Ap-
preparations Committee. On several pre-
vious occasions they have measured swords
over canal legislation. Two years ago r
similar bill was passed by a vote Of 224 to
sc.
PROVISIONS OF THE CANAL
ELL PASSED by THE HOUSE.
The bill as passed to-day authorizes the
President to secure from the States of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua IN behalf of the
United States. control of such a portion
of tie territory belonging 10 said States
as may be desirable and necessary on
which to eXcavate. construct and prospect
a canal suitable to the wants of modern
navigation and commerce and appropriates
such a sum as may be necessary to secure
the control Of said territory.
Section authorizes the President. after
securing control of the needed territory,
to direct the Secretary Of War to construct
such canal from the Caribbean Sea- at a
point near Greytown. in Nicarag qua, by
way Of Lake Nicaragua to a point on the
Pacific Ocean near Brito. and also to con-
struct proper harbors at the terrnini OF
said canal. and to make necessary provis-
ions for the defense of the canal and har-
bors,
Sections and 4 authorize the President
to make such surveys may be necessary
and to employ such persons in constructing
the canal as may to him seem wise. and di-
rect that in the construction of the canal
the river San Juan and Lake Nicaragua
shall be used az far as they are available
Section authorizes the President TO guar
antee to the States of Costa Rica and Nj
caragua the use of the canal and harbors
upon terms to be agreed upon. for all ves-
sells owned by said States, and by citizens
thereof.
TIE last section makes a present appro-
priation of si0000.o10 TO carry on this work
and authorizes the Secretary of War to
enter into proper contracts for material
and work az may be deemed necessary J
therefor. such work and material to be
paid for as appropriations may be made
from time to time.
The section fixes the aggregate cost at
s1S0.O0o,05o. to be drawn from the Treasury
On warrants of the President.
FRIENDS OF HEPBURN BILL
RALLIED TO ITS SUPPORT.
Mr.. Adamson Of Georgia. the first sneaker
to-day, urged tie passage of the Hepburn
bill without amendment. He argued that
the time had come for action, and that
equ!vocation now. could only result In de-
laying the commencement OF the canal
If the Panama company had an offer to t,
make which we could accept, he said, there |
would be time enough to take advantage
of it when the bill was pending IN the Sem |
ate or later in conference.
Mr.. Wooten of Texas also argued that the |
bill should be passed without amendment. !
If the Morris amendment were adopted. |
he said, the canal would become a condi- |
tional project. surrounded by doubts and
difficulties which might doom it TO final
failure, owing to International political COM |
plicatioEs. He declared it was rather a |
strange coincidence that those who now |
wanted to amend the bill had in the past /
opposed the passage Of any bill. He regard |
ed the Morris amendment as modern Tro- !
tan horse.
Mr.. Wooten said he did not favor an |
amendment to fortify the canal He be- |
lieved such an amendment savored more of |
spurious sentiment than sound and salu- |
tary sense. He favored neutral canal.
At this point, upon the request of Mr.. |
Davis of Florida. the time for the general !
debate extended until 2:S0 p. m Mr.. |
Sparkman of Florida spoke in favor OF the |
Hepburn bill.
CANNON SAID HEPBURN
Is TOO CLIP OF TONGUE1