The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-10

Washington, June 4-DiScuSsiOn of
the project of constructing an isthmian
canal was begun by the senate today.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, chairman
Of n committee on i~nter-oceanic
canals opened the debate. speaking
nearly three hours. a considerable por-
ton of his speech was devoted to an
examination of the recently suggested
danger to the Nicaragua canal route of
seismic disturbances This danger, he
concluded. after a careful review OF
many authorities, existed only in the
imagination of those who desired to de-
feat n canal project. His study of
she situation had convinced him that
really there was greater danger from
volcanic and earthquake disturbances
to the Panama route than to the
Nicaragua route: but he was satisfied
that little danger to either was to be
anticipated.
Senator 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 pre-
scented. also the present phases of the
diplomatic negotiations looking to the
building of Il canal by both the Mica
ragua route and by the Panama route.
Senator Morgan said the failure of the
United States to build the
canal would be an exhibition of moral
weakness influenced either by power
full private interests or by some con-
VulsiOn of nature which appealed
strongly to the imagination. He closed
with a strong appeal for the passage
of the Nicaragua bill.
Senator Money, of Mississippi, ques-
toned the accuracy of a statement
made recently by Senator Hoar in his
speech on the Philippine bill, On the
origin of the Monroe doctrine. Senator
doar stated tina John Quincy Adams
was the father of the doctrine. Sena-
tor Money commended that the doctrine
vas the result of consultations between
Mr.. Canning, the British prime minis
ter, and Mr.. Rush, the American min
lister to Great Britain
Senator Bate, of Tennessee, a member
of the military affairs committee pro-
tested against the vast extent of the
improvements proposed at West Point,
aggregating he said, S.. 800, 900, the in
crease provided by the senate being
about 81, 0OO. 900.
Senate Quay called up the bill au-
thoriZing the promotion and retire
ment of the present senior major gen.
eraI of the army-Major General John
r. BrOoke-and il was passed.
4 bill providing that the postmaster
general may extend free delivery to
cities of 5000 inhabitants or $4,000 gross
income, instead of 10000 inhabitants as
at present, was passed.
House of Representatives
The debate upon the a~nti-anarchy
bill continued all day in the house. 1t
was without sensational features belng
confined almost entirely to the legal
and constitutional phases of the ques
ton.
Mr.. Jenkins. of Wiconsin. and Mr..
Parker, of New Jersey, commended that
the bill did not go far enough; that
the killing of the president should
be made punishable by death without
any limitation whatever.
Mr.. Powers, of Massachusetts, and
Mr.. Nevin, of Ohio. the other two speak
ers, supported the measure as 1t came
from the committee.
MI. Hull, of Iowa, chairman of the
committee on military affairs, reported
back the resolution calling upon the
secretary of war for a detailed state
ment of the expenditures made under
the direction of General Wood
during his administration as governor
general of Cuba, with the recommended
ton that it lie upon the table, ana
he moved the adoption of the report.
Upon that question MIR. Hay, OF V1r-
ginia. demanded the yea and nay vote
and the roll was called. The report
was adopted