The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-09
NOT DECENT.
Congressman Cannon DenOunces
Hepburn's Methods
In Trying to Secure Passage of
the Canal Bill.

Washington, Jan. SIN anticipation
of a vote on the Nicaragua canal bill
today, there was a large attendance on
the floor when the house met Under
the order made yesterday the general
debate was to close at o'clock when
the bill was to be read for amendment
under the five minute rule. Mr.. Adam
son (Ga-), the first speaker, today urged
the passage of the Hepburn bill, with
out amendment. He argued that the
time had come for action and that
equivocation now could only result in
delaying the commencement of the
canal
If the Panama company had an offer
to make which we could accept, he said,
there would be time enough to take adj
vantage of it when the bill was pend
ing in the senate. or later in conference
Mr.. Wooten (Texas also argued that
the bill should be passed without
amendn ent. If the Morris amendment
were adopted. he said. the canal would
become a conditional project surround
ed by doubts and difficulties, which
might doom it to final failure owing to
international political complications.
He declared it was rather strange CO.
incidence that those who now wanted to
amend the bill had in the past opposed
the passage of any bill. He regarded
the Morris amendment as a modern
Trojan 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 salutary sense. He favored
neutral canal.
At this point, upon the request of Mr.
Davis (Fla) the time for general debate
was extended until 2:30 p. m.
Mr.. Sparkman (Fla-) spoke in favor
of the Hepburn bill.
Mr.. Cannon, Qll.) chairman of the
appropriations committee, then took
the floor.
Mr.. Cannon, discussing the language
of the bill said that under it's ''artful
language" full power was given to not
only pay Nicaragua and Costa Rica
and the Maritime Canal company their
demands, but also the American and
Nicaraguan spectators who owned
property along the route. He criticised
the undue haste of the promoters of the
Nicaragua canal. He wanted to see
the protocol that had been recently ne
gotiated. He objected to the provision
that contracts could be made for the
whole work
Mr.. Cannon said that it was doubtful
If war taxes could be removed if the
government was committed to such a
gigantic enterprise. He said he would
vote for the Morris amendment and if
that failed would move to recommit, so
the bill could be amended.
Mr.. De Almond (Mo.) favored leaving
the question of routes to the president.
With alternative authority he could
make better terms. The bill as present
ed was not mature. Was the army en-
gineer corps or gigantic syndicate to
build the camel?
His remarks were given close atten-
ton. The building of this canal, he said
was a business proposition, and should
be considered from a business stand
point. Gentlemen talked about this pro-
w.a1 10
400 years, and used that as an argument
why members of congress should fall
over one another to vote for the pend
ing bill. Personally he had favored a
canal for years, but because he had not
been willing to proceed without infor-
nation and against fixed treaty law, he
had been called hard names. Mr.. Can
non at this point clashed sharply with
Mr. Hepburn, who is in charge of the
bill.
Mr.. Cannon criticised the Iowan for
withholding his speech from the Rec
ord, and Mr.. Hepburn characterized Mr..
CannonS criticism as ''querulouS and for
an improper purpose" stated that he
had only exercised a privilege custom
arily exercised by members. But he
offered then and there to give Mr.. Can
non the speech, and sent it over to him
by a page.
Mr.. Cannon declared that in his reco1-
lection a member presenting a great
measure to undertake work that was
to last for centuries had never pursued
such a course. He declared it was not
decent parliamentary procedure, and
when Mr.. Hepburn made some quick
reply he observed amid laughter, that
if the gentleman from Iowa were only
as straightforward as he was Flip of
tongue" he would be a better legislator.
IN THE SENATE.
Washington, Jan. 9.-AS soon as the SEN
ate met today, motion of Mr.. Hale
(Me), the senate agreed that when it ad-
journ today it be until Monday next.
Mr.. Cockrell (Mo-) reported from the
committee military affairs the result
of the Heistand inquiry that was conduct
ed under the Pettigrew resolution of the
last session. No action was taken on the
recort-
a house bin appropriating SO. 600 for fur
niShing the transcripts of record OF the
general land office was passed
At 12:40 the senate went into executive
session and at 1:50 p. m. adjourned until
Monday.
The senate in executive session confirm
ed the nomination of L. NJ Shaw to be
secretary of the treasury and Of Henry Z.
Payne to be postmaster general
F'AVORS NEW CABINET OFFICE
Washington. Jan 9.-The senate commit
tee on commerce today authorized ia
vorable report on Senator Nelson's bill for
the creation of an executive department
of the government to be known as the
department of commerce.
Trying the Violet Rays.
New York Jan. 9-As a last resort
r. - AIrlxr