The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-14

Or-It has Many Advocates on the
Floor of the House-A Sharp TIL,
Between Members From Missouri.
Private Pension Lesisletfon fn the
S~enate-Closer investigation of
Such Bills to be Made i'm Future.
Washington. January S.-During the
consideration by the senate today Of
private legislation. in response to an
inquiry from Senator Bacon some i'm
POI tant statements were made by Sen
atcr Gallinger, chairman OF the COM
mittee on pensions. in respect to regu-
lallons adopted by the committee to
govern it in the consideration and re-
commentator of private pension bills.
He announced that none but absolutely
meritorious cases would be presented
that the closest scrutiny would be given
by the committee to every bill intro
duced. He said that no pension exceed
ing $50 a month would be recommended
by the committee for the widow of a
general officer and that pensions for the
widows of other officers would be seal
ed down proportionataiy.
The interesting case of DR.. LaZare,
who at the instance of Johns Hopkins
university and of the government, went
to Cuba and submitted himself to inoc-
ulation with yellow fever through mos
quito bites and died from the disease
thus contracted was brought to the SEN
ate's attention by Senator McComas,
who inquired whether DIR. LaZare's
widow would be en- tiled to a pension
No decision was reached, but it was the
opinion of Senators G%allinger and Cock.
rell that the case had no pensiouable
status.
House of Representatives.
The discussion upon the Nicaraguan
canal bill in the house today developed
sentiment in favor OF giving consid-
Grafton to the recent offer of the Pan.
ama Company to sell it's franchises and
property for $40. 00O, 900 and this senti-
nent took the form OF advocating the
Morris amendment to empower the
president TO select the latter route il
the canal commission, upon considering
the company's offer. recommends il
and the required concessions can be OBJ
tailed from Colombia. OF sixteen mem
bers who spoke today nine favored the
Morris amendment.
1t was agreed that general debate
should close tomorrow at 2 o'clock after
which the bill will be open to amend.
ment under tho five minute rule. This
final vote probably will be taken to-
morrow.
Mr.. Shackelford, of Missouri. believ.
ed that the Eads-Tehuantepec rou e was
preferable to any which had been pro,
posed. but he did not think the present
a time for cavil. He did not like the
Panama route. but if the new PROPOSE.
ton of the Panama Company offered
| o6u1 mr. ooc oIyor tho Moo ~ N rorte
he thought the president should have
alternative authority TO accept it.
If you favor this BILL" interposed
Mr.. Bartholdt. Of Missouri. why is il
that o n your democratic col.
leagues from Missouri at the last ses.
sion voted against a similar bill?"
Because" replied Mr.. Shackelford
"the bill at the last session was passed
through this house to the tune of Coo
Save the Queen want it passed tt
the sweet strains of Hail Columbia
But the Hay-Pauncefote treaty was
not ratified at the last session." oh.
served Mr.. Bartholdt.
True it was not replied Mr.. Shack,
elford. but our English secretary q
state wanted it ratified. and because W.
believed the wishes OF her majesty
representative in the cabinet would pre-
vail we opposed h bill"
Mr.. Lowering, of Massachusetts. alsc
a member of the committee that re
ported the bill said that in the past h,
had favored the Nicaraguan route be
cause the engineers had reported in II
favor N because until recently he hat
believed that the trans continental rail
roads were using the Panama route q
obstruct action; but he had recently
satisfied himself that the railroads wer,
not behind the Panama canal. The re
cent offer of the Panama company. h
believed. was in good faith.
Mr.. Morris. of Minnesota. WIN offer
ed the amendment yesterday to Civ
the president the alter native authorit'
10 select the Panama route if it wa
recommended by the commission afte
the consideration of the Panama Com
pany's new offer, explained the purpos
of his amendment. which,, he said. wa
not to impede the construction of tn
canal but to insure the selec ion of tn,
hest canal-the best as to location. CO..
of maintenance and operation. durabili
ty and freedom from danger from de
Struction. Before the isthmian com
mission made is report he did not BE-
lieve the Panama rosie feasible. II
thought it had been used solely for tn
purpose of delay: but since reading tn,
report he was unable to reach a conclu
sion as to which was the better route
In embarking upon an ENTERPRISE tha
was to cost 5000, 900. 00G. perhops more
| lie COISlueTeO IL Wise lHdl luc cAptIl
should have an opportunity to conside
tho new offer of the Panama company
If the bill was passed in the form II
which it was reported the presiden'
could not entertain the offer Of the Pan
anna Company. and under it the presi
dent might by treaty bind the United
States to construct the Nicaraguan G
E