The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-05
ISTHMIAN CANAL DEBATE
SENATOR MORGAN SPEAKS FOR THE
NICARAGUAN ROUTE.
Thinks There Is Little Danger from
Volcanoes and Earthquakes-An-
archy Bill in the House.

WASHINGTON, June 4.-Discussion of
the project of constructing an isthmian
canal was begun by the Senate to-day. Mr..
Morgan, chairman of the committee on in
terocean canals, opened the debate. speak
ing nearly three hours. A considerable
portion of his speech was devoted to an
examination of the recently suggested dam
ger to the Nicaraguan canal route of seis-
mic disturbances. This danger, he conlud-
ed, after a careful review of army author
tiles, existed only in the imagination of
those who desired to defeat any canal prof.
ect. His study of the situation had con-
WINGED him that really there was greater
danger from volcanic and earthquake dis
turbances to the Panama route than to the
Nicaraguan route; but he was satisfied
that little danger to either was to be antici-
pated. Mr.. Morgan reviewed at length
the political conditions in Colombia, finding
in them a grave menace TO the United
States in the construction of a canal by
the Panama route. He presented also the
present phases of the diplomatic negotia-
tons looking TO the building of a canal
by both the Nicaragua route and the Pan
ANA route. He closed with a strong appeal
for the passage of the Nicaragua bill.
Soon after the Senate convened a bill
providing for the promotion OF the cir
culation of reading matter among the blind,
by transporting such matter through the
mails free of charge, was reported by Mr..
Elkins. from the committee postoffices
and postroads. Consideration of the bill
objected to by Mr.. Hale.
A bill providing for the transfer of Lieu
tenant Jerome E. Morse. of the navy, from
the half-pay list to the three-quarters pay
list was passed
Mr.. Quay called up the bill authorizing
the promotion and retirement of the senior
major general of the army, Major General
John r. Brooke, and il was passed.
Mr.. Plat. of Connecticut, suggested that
the committee on military affairs report TO
the Senate a bill providing for a perma-
nent grade for the retirement of officers
and Mr.. Warren, of Wyoming, member OF
the military committee, thought all officers
who had served i'm the civil war ought to
be permitted to retire a one grade higher
than they held in the army.
A bill providing that the postmaster gem
eral may extend free delivery to cities of
5000 inhabitants. of 5000 gross income, in
stead of 10000 inhabitants. as at present
was passed.
Mr.. Money, of Mississippi, questioned the
accuracy of a recent statement of Mr.
Hoar on the origin of the Monroe doctrine
Mr.. Hoar stated that John Quincy Adams
was the author of the doctrine. Mr. Money
contended that the doctrine was the result
of consultations between Mr.. Canning, the
British prime minister and Mr.. Rush, the
American minister 10 Great Britain.
The following measures were passed !:
Joint resolution empowering the State of
Minnesota TO file selections of indemnity
school lands in Minnesota, otherwise un-
disposed of. after the survey thereof in the
field and prior to the approval and filing of
the plat Of survey thereof; bill granting to
the State of California $40 acres of land in
lieu of the section now occupied by the
Torres band or village Of mission Indians
Then, after brief executive session, the
Senate at 5:25 p m. adjourned.