The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-10

he had been called hard nameS.
Mr.. Cannon discussing tho language of
the Bill asked what was meant by au-
thorizing the President to obtain full
control oyer the land upon which the
canal was to be built. Did it mean pur
chase and ownership of miles of property
by spectators by both American and
Nicaraguan? With great emphasis Mr..
Cannon declared that in his judgment
under the general appropriation the Dill
contained and it's "artful language, 1t
would ne claimed that it gave the Presl-
dent full power not only to pay Nicaragua
and Costa Rica but the Maritime Canal
Company and European American and
Nicaraguan speculators-how much he
could not tell. 1t might be five, ten or
twenty-five millions.
Mr.. Cannon denounced what he termed
the undue haste of those who wanted 10
build this canal between now ana sun
rise tomorrow. He said he would like
to see the protocol which it was said had
been made with Nicaragua. Another
thing. he objected to was the authorize
ton the bill contained to negotiate con-
tracts for the whole work. In this con-
nection he observed that the opposition
would blow it's trumpets long and loud
and perhaps not ineffectively in the next
campaign in favor of decreasing the reve
nucs.
He himself. if he could have the power
would take off every cent of the war
taxes Democratic applause). This pros
pect of decreased revenue must be looked
in the face in committing the government
to such a gigantic expenditure. Mr.. Can
ron said he would vote for the Morris
amendment and if it failed he would move
to recommit the bill with amendments he
had suggested
Mr.. DeArmond (Mo.), followed Mr.. Can
non. He said the question before the
American people was not as TO wnetner
Congress would pass a bill for the isth-
mian canal but whether the bill would
be matured and proper when passed. II
confidence existed in the President why
should he not be given the opportunity
tc negotiate with Colombia or Nicaragua
according to the information in his pos
session? The bill he urged needed ma
turing. 1t was silent on many points
Were the army engineers to build the
canal Or was there to be one gigantic
syndicate whose influence. ba!eful per-
haps. but certainly mighty, would ex-
tend over many years? Were the prlncl-
pies of the civil service TO obtain or
were political considerations to govern
Mr.. yanDiver (Mo.), and Mr. Hooker
(Miss), advocated the passage OF the uh-
amended Hepburn bill.
AT O'Clock Mr.. Hepburn took the floor
and answered the criticisms adduced
against the bill during the debate. Dur
mo the progress of the debate he had
imputed bad motives to no one But ne
believed that forces We're working tor
delay. Mr.. Hepburn then proceeded 10
review Mr.. Cannon's record on canai
legislation to show that his declara7
tions of friendship did not harmonize with
his constant course of hostile delay WIN
regard TO the alleged claims of the mar
thine Canal Company, which the gehtle-
man from Illinois discovered in the 'pale
moonlieht'' the commission reported that
thew had already been extlpgulshed.
Addressing the Democratic side ne
read the plank in the Kansas Clty plat
form pledging the party to the Nlcara-
guam Canal. That said he, amlu
laughter. "is. in my opinion, the most
respectable declaration inc the platform.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Hepburn's re-
marks the bill was read for amendment
under the five minute rule.
Mr.. Shackelford (Mo) Immediately Of
fered the amendment to authorize the
president to determine the choice of
routes as between Nicaragua and Pana-
ma. if the property and franchise of the
Panama Company could be procured for
$40. 900 ,0OO He explained that the amend
ment offered by him had been agreed upon
after consultation between himself and
Mr. Morris and Mr.. Parker IN J), who
had given notice that they would offer
similar amendments.
Mr.. Underwood (Ala) opposed the
amendment saying the Democratic plat
form had declared for the Nicaragua
Canal.
Mr.. Morris (Minn.) supported it,
stating that the amendment had been
drawn By him.
There was a lively running fight for
some time over. the amendment, partici-
pated in by Messrs. Cooper, Wisconsin;
Williams, Miss; Sims, Tennessee; Mann,
Illinois, Morrell Pennsylvania, and
Georgia.
The vote then was taken upon the
Shackelford amendment.
1t was defeated upon rising vote OF
102 to 10 Mr. Parker IN. J.); Mr.. De-
Almond and Mr.. Burgess, offered vari-
Gus amendments which were voted down.
The committee then rose and reported
the bill to the House, whereupon Mr..
Cannon moved to recommit the bill with
to report back within thirty
days a substitute to enable the Presi-
dent to acquire the necessary rights for
a canal from Nicaragua or Colombia, and
to authorize him to select the route
within sixty days.
Mr.. Cannon tried to secure record
vote upon his motion, but unavailingly
Inc amendment was defeated without
DIVISION, and the vote was then taken
upon the passage of the bill by ayes and
noes.
Ihe vote stood ayes sos, noes 2 The
announcement was greeted with applause.
AT $50 the House adjourned.