The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-01-17

! (OR&RGSS
RESUME OF fHH
=. WEEKS PROCEEDINGS.

In the House..

In the House.
Washington, Jan. 9.-The census bu-
h Nicaragua canal bill in the house
was opened in lively fashion yesterday
by Mr.. Hepburn, chairman of the inter-
state n foreign commits
sion, which reported the bill. For two
hours he held the floor, replying to a
volley of questions concerning the re-
cent offer of the Panama Canal COM
pany to sell it's property and franchises
to the United States for $40, 900, 900.
The interest in the debate centered
almost entirely in this new phase of
the subject. Mr.. Hepburn maintained
that the alleged new offer of the Pan
anna company was part of the plan OF
delay. All his ~utterances along that
line were liberally applauded. He
pointed out what he claimed was the
suspicious circumstance that the Pam
anna company held out for sos, 000, 900
until 1t was deci led before the holiday
recess to consider the Nicaragua bill,
and Their suddenly dropped the price
to SAC, 900, 900. Mr.. Morris of MinnesO-
ia gave notice hat at the proper time
he would offer an amendment to au-
thorize the president, if he could pro-
cure The property for $40, 600, coo, II con-
cessicns could De procured from Colom-
bia n IL the Walker commission so
recommended, to purchase and proceed
to complete he Panama canal The
other speakers were Messrs. Davis OF
Florida, Richardson of Alabama. Mann
of Illinois n Adams of Pennsylvania.
In the Senate.
The first notes of the contest between
the Nicaragua and Panama routes for
the isthmian canal were heard in the
senate yesterday. Mr.. Morgan offered
and secured the adoption of a resolu-
ton which indicated his purpose to
have the committee on interoceanio
canals inquire into the relations alleged
to exist between the trancontinental
railroad companies of the United States
n Canada and the Panama Canal
company. In explanation Of the resolu-
ton Mr.. Morgan declared that the al
legged relations were a wicked mo-
nopoly' which already had cost the
people of the Pacific coast millions of
dollars. The resolutions involve the
control by the Panama Canal company
CT the Panama Railroad company, and
the agreement existing between GER
tain railroads of the United States and
the Pacific Mail Steamship company.
In the House.
Washington, Jan. 9. - The debate on
the Nicaraguan canal bill in the house
yesterday developed sentiment in favor
of giving consideration to the recent
offer Of the Panama company to sell
its franchises and property for $40. 0O0,-
900. this sentiment taking the form of
the Morris amendment to
emp the president to select the at
ter route If the canal commission, upon
considering h company's offer. recon-
mends 1t and the required concessions
can be obtained from Colombia. OF
members Who spoke yesterday
nine favored the Morris amendment.
It was agreed that general debate
close to-day at 2 o'clock, after
which the bill will be open to amend
under the five-minute rule. The
vote probably will be taken to-
day.
In the Senate.
During consideration by the senate
of private pension legislation some i'm
portant statements were made by Mr..
chairman of the committee
on pensions, in respect to regulations
adopted by the committee to govern it
in consideration of private pension
bills. He announced that none but alb
meritorious cases would be
presented to the Senate for it's consid-
GRAFTON, and that the closest scrutiny
be given by the committee to
every bill introduced. He said that no
pension exceeding $50 a monthawould
be recommended by the committee for
the widow Of a general officer, and that
pensions for the widows of other Off
GERS would be scaled down proportion
ately.