Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-10
WITHOUT AMENDMENT
Hepburns's Canal Bill Passed
Almost Unanimously by the
Lower House.
-----
All Amendments Failed and
There We're Only Two
Opposing Votes.
Brief Review OF the Provisions Of
the Bili-.Other
News.

Washington, Jan. 10.-The Hepburn
Nicaraguan canal bill passed the
house late yesterday afternoon by
practically a unanimous vote. Only
two members out of 80 voted against
lit Messi's. Fletcher, republican, of Min
nesota, and Lassiler, democrat, of Nir-
gihia, were the two voting in the neg
Iative.
The opposition to committing the
government to the Nicaraguan bill
attempted to secure amendments to
lodge with the president the discre-
tionary power to purchase and COM
plete a Panama canal. if it could be
purchased for s4o,o00,0O0.
The test came on the first vote.
when the advocates of an alternative
route polled l02 against ITO 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
nays on Il motion to recommit.
All other 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 a record vote
The debate which preceded the TAX
ing of the final vote was made MEM
orable by a clash between Mr.. Hep
burn, the author of the bill. and Mr..
Cannon, chairman of the appropria-
lions committee. On several previous
occasions they have measured swords
over canal legislation. Two years
ago a similar bill was passed by a vote
of 224 to SO.
The bill as passed authorizes the
president to secure from the states OF
Costa Rica and Nicaragua In behalf of
the United States, control of such n
portion of the territory belonging to
said states as may be desirable and
necessary in which to excavate, con-
struct and prospect canal suitable to
the wants of modern navigation and
commerce, and Appropriate such sum
as may be necessary to secure the con-
troll of said territory.
Section two authorizes the presi-
dent, after securing control of the
needed territory. to direct the secre
tary of war to construct such canal
from the Caribbean sea, at a point
near Greytown, in Nicaragua, by way
of Lake Nicaragua, to point on the
Pacific ocean near Brito. and also to
construct proper harbors at the ter
mini of said canal. and TO make neces-
sary provisions for the defense of the
canal and harbors.
Sections three and four authorize
the president 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 construction of the canal
the river San Juan and Lake Nicara-
qua shall be used as far as they are
available.
Section five 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 present
appropriation of $10.000,000 to carry
on this work, and authorizes the sec
rotary of war to enter into proper
contracts for material and work as
may be deemed necessary therefor.
such work and material to be paid for
as appropriations may be made from
time to time. The section fives the
aggregate cost at s1S0,000,000, to be
draw from the treasury on warrants
of the president.