The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-10
All Amendments offered by Friends of
the Panama Route Meet With
Disaster.
A CLASH BETWEEN HEPBURN AND CANNON
The Later Led the Fight For an Alternative
Route Fayoring The Purchase Of the
Panama Canal For S40,-
100000.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Jan. 9.-The Hepburn
Nicaraguan Canal Bill passed the House
late this afternoon by practically unani-
NOUS vote. Only two members out of
$40 voted against it, Messrs. Fletcher
(Rep) Minnesota, and Lassiter (Dem.)
Virginia were the two voting in the
negative The opposition to committing
the Government to the Nicaraguan route
attempted Co secure amendments to
lodge with the President the discretion
airy power to purchase and complete the
Panama Canal, if it could be purchased
for $4,000 600. The test came on the
first vote when the advocates of an al
tentative route polled 102 against 40
votes AT each succeeding vote their
strength dwindled until Mr.. Cannon, of
Illinois, under whose leadership the fight
was made, was unable to get the ayes
and noes on motion to recommit. All
other amendments failed and the bill
passed exactly as it came from the COM
mittee. None OF the votes except that
on the final passage of the bill was a
record vote.
The debate which preceded the taking
of the final vote was made memorable
by a clash between Mr. Hepburn. the
author of the BILL and Mr.. Cannon,
chairman of the Appropriations Commit
tee. On several previous occasions they
have measured swords over canal Leg
islation. Two years ago a similar bill
was passed by vote of 224 to &c.
The bill as passed today authorizes
the President to secure from the States
of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in be-
half of the United States, control of
such portion of the territory belonging
to said States as may be desirable and
necessary on which to excavate, con-
struct and protect a canal suitable to
the wants of modern navigation and COM
merce, 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 ter
ritory, to direct the Secretary of War
to construct such canal from the Carib-
bean Sea, at point near Greytown, in
Nicaragua by way of Lake Nicaragua,
TO a point on the Pacific Ocean near
Brlto. and also to construct proper har-
Dofs at the termini of said canal. and to
make necessary provisions for the de-
tense OF the canal and harbors
Sections and 4 authorizes the Presi-
dent to make such surveys as may be
necessary and TO employ such persons in
constructing the canal as may to him
seem wise, and directs that in the con-
struction OF the canal the river San
Juan and Lake Nicaragua shall be used
as TAR as they are available
Section . 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 a present an
preparation Of Sl0,000,0 900 to carry on this
work and authorizes the Secretary of
War to enter proper contracts and ma
terial and work as may be deemed
necessary therefor, such work and ma
terial to be paid for as appropriations
may be made from time to time. The
section fixes the aggregate cost at $780,,
o0O,OOO to be drawn from the Treasury on
warrants of the President
Mr. Adamson (Ga.), the first speaker
today, urged the passage of the Hep
burn Dill without amendment. He argued
that the lime had come for action. and
that equivocation now could only result
in delaying the commencement of the
canal
II the Panama Company had an offer
TO make which we could accent he
said, there would be time enough to take
advantage of it, when the bill was pend
ing In the Senate or later in Congress-
Mr. Wooten (Tex.). also argued that the
riii should be passed without amend
hient. he regarded the Morri, amend
ment as a modern Trojan horse
AT this point upon the request of Mr..
LAWS tFla.), the time for general debate
was extended until $50 D. m
Mr.. Sparkman (Fla.), spoke i'll favor
OF the Hepburn bill
Mr.. Cannon (Ills.), chairman of the An.
propriations Committee, then took The
floor. His remarks were given close at
tention. The building of this canal, he
said, was a business proposition and
should be considered from a busines.;
standpoint. Personally, he had favored