Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-07
FIFTY-SEYENTH CONGRESS.
Washington, D. c., Jan. Z.
SENATE.

bhNA1ns
For the first time for many sessions
of be Senate the newspaper men were
this morning remembered 10 the open
ing prayer OF the chaplain.
The committee on Foreign Relations
favorsbly reported the bill prohibiting
toe sale of fire arms, opium and intoxi-
eating liquors 10 certain Islands OF the
Pacific.
Mr.. Mason introduced a Joint resolu
ton providing that the thsoks OF Con-
gress be extended to Miss Clara Barton
and that she be presented gold pedsl.
Mr.. Morgan, chairman of the commit.
Tee on inter-oceanIc osnsls, submitted
resolution, which was agreed to, which
provides that the committee be en-
powered to sit during the sessions of
the Senate, aud shat IL Is further em.
powered to make Inquiry and report
with reference to aDy agreement or
concert of action between any railroad
companies in the United States or 10
Canada, or Psoams. or of any Ameri-
can line OF ships, TO control trsDspor.
tation or the routes thereof or the car
goes OF passengers, passing across the
Istbmus OF PaDsms, and 10 regard to
suy matter 10 reference TO the subject"
Mr.. Morgan ohsracteriz d the agree
ment existing between the Transconti-
mental association as the most wicked
monopoly the country had ever known.
The Senate adjourned at 1:25 p. m.
until 2 p. m. tomorrow.
HOUSE.
After the usual routine prelimiDaries
of the opening OF the House had been
concluded, Mr.. Hepburn moved that
the House resolve itself into committee
OF the whole for the consideration of the
Nicaragua canal bill. The motion car
ried and Representative Grosvenor
took the chair.
The Hepburn bill was read to the
House, whereupon the author OF the
measure opened the debate.
"For four hundred years." he said,
"the project OF connecting the oceans
with water wsy has been under dis
cussion" and on account OF such long
prominence, he thought 1t unnecessary
to make lengthy speech on the bill.
Mr.. Hepburn said that the committee
had striveD to concentrate authority 10
the preparation OF the bill. All the pow
or is placed 10 the hands OF the Presi-
dent. There Is no commission" he
said, mo authority to give obs to de-
tunct statesmen; no pensions can be
paid out of the canal funds."
Mr.. Hepburn believed that the com
mittee 10 placing the cost at $189, 000,-
900 bad acted wisely. This may be
taken as the mazium, as about 20 per
cent. more than the work Is likely to
cost. Referring to the Panama canal
prof sct, be said thar the FreDcbmeD
bad squaudered 1886. 000, 900 through
horrible engineering blunders and bad
6nancisl policy.
The commission believes, said Mr..
Hepburn, that eight years will be re-
quired to complete the canal. This
estimate, like that OF cost. is probably
more than ample. Mr.. Hepburn said
ne could not predict what am cunt OF
commerce would pass through the
canal. After all expenses of operation
are met be believed that at least SO 700
900 would be the profits annually that
will 90 into the Treasury as interest on
this investment.
Mr.. Cannon thought that 1t would be bet.
ter to POSTPONE the matter for thirty or sixty
days until the treaty with Nicaragua was
completed and ratified.
MI Hepburn denoupC cd any further delay.
Mr.. Davis Dem Fls.) and Mr.. Robertson
Dem. Ala.) followed in speeches isvoring The
bill