The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-24

SpSeChtS"
Washington, June 19.-An isthmian
canal, while not yet absolutely assured.
is nearer to construction than it ever
has been. The senate today by a ma
jority of eight votes adopted the Spoon
er substitute for the Hepburn Nicara-
qua canal bill. The vote on the substi-
tute being AZ to "a. Pritchard votes in
the affirmative and Simmons in the
negative.
Among the pairs announced. the first
named in each case being favorable to
nam and the second against it were:
Dillingham; with Tillnan: McLaurin, of
South Carolina with Simon.
After two amendments to the measure
had been adopted, ore providing for a
commission to supervise the construc-
ton of the canal and the other provid-
ing for he issuance of bonds to o
struct the waterway. 1t was passed by
a vote of 81 to 6, the votes in the neg
ative being cast by Senators Bate, of
Tennessee; CockrelI. OF Missouri; Daniel
Of Virginia; Dubois, OF Idaho; Pettus, of
Alabama and Vest, OF Missouri.
1t has been evident for several days
that the Spooner substitute would COM
mand the votes of a majority of the
senate. The Panama route was consid-
cred more. desirable by the senate than
the Nicaragua route. The only ques-
ton left open is the title TO the property
and that the president WI determine, If
the house shall adopt the senate's
amendment to it's bill.
Senator Morgan of Alabama, closed
todayS debate with an earnest appeal
for the adoption of tho Nicaragua route.
He had been preceded by Senator Clark,
OF Montana. in support Of the Nicara-
qua route and Senator Allison of Iowa,
in support Of the Spooner proposition.
Only minor amendments except those
indicated. were adopted. all others be-
ing voted down.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia. offered to
the Spooner substitute, the amendment
providing for the appointment of an
isthmian canal commission to direct the
construction of the canal and providing
that seven of the commission
shall receive such compensation as the
president shall prescribe Until it is
otherwise fixed by congress.
Senator SpoOner accepted the amend
ment n it was agreed to 80 to p.
Senator Mallory, of Florida, offered an
amendment to the Srooner amendment
providing that if the president could
not within six MONTHS get a clear title
to the Panama canal cOmpany'S Ugh
and concessions ne should proceed
with the Nicaragua canal.
Senator SpOOner moved to lay the
amendment On the table and the motion
was agreed to. A to 81.
A like amendment offered by Senator
Mallory limiting the time of the presi-
6onf'c Iooicion &c tn tho banana rOI1ta
to twelve months was rejected, 50 to SO.
Senator Mitchell offered an amend
ment to the SpoOner substitute prOVid-
ing that ever though the president rs
satisfied he can obtain a clear title to
the Panama Canal Company's property,
if he shall be convinced for any reason
that it is not for the best interests of
the United States to purchase the Pana-
ma property or if he shall think the
canal ought to be constructed by the
Nicaragua route he shall proceed to the
construction of the canal by the Mica
ragua route.
Senator S%pooner's motion 10 lay the
amendment On the table was agreed to,
AZ to 80.
A direct vote was then obtained on
the Spooner substitute which was
adopted by the vote already given.
The vote upon the Spooner substitute
disposed Of the pending question and
III SubSllluIC, do doNpNNos q SPO NSo
from the committe of the whole to the
senate
Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts. then
offered a substitute fer the Spooner
proposition making il The duty of the
president to decide by which route the
canal should be conSt4 ucted. IL was re-
jected-13 to 81.
Senator Fairbanks hen offered an
amendment providing for the issue OF
$3.50, 600, 900 of gold bonds bearing , per
cent. interest to pay for the construc-
ton of the canal. Senator Culberson
moved to lay the amendment on the
table and the motion was defeated SO to
80. The amendment was thCn adopted
So to Sc.
Senator Mason then offered an amend
ment to Senator Fairbanks amendment
providing that all the people of the
United States should have opportunity
to subscribe to the proposed loan. The
amendment was agreHd to without dl-
vision.
Senator Morgan then offered the Mica
ragua canal bill as a substitute for the
Spooner proposition, thus raising the
question previously passed upon.
Senator Spooner moveo 10 lay the
Nicaraguan canal bill On the table and
the motion was agreed to, IL TO SO. The
bill then passed 81 to 6.
On motion of Senator Morgan, the
senate then asked & conference with
the house upon the b.1's passed by the
two branches of congress and
Morgan, Hanna and Kittredge were
named as confereees.
The senate had some debate over the
trouble into which il has gotten with
the house over amendments to the army
appropriation bill n finally asked for
a conference with the house ignoring
the offensive message which caused
the trouble.
The Spooner amendment, as amended
and adopted by the senate today pro-
yides that the president through the
law office of the government, shall de-
termine whether a clear title can De
obtained of the Panama company $
property, rights and concessions. Ii ne
shall be satisfied that such title can De
obtained. he shall purchase the proper
ty. rights and concessions at forty MIL
lions of dollars. If, in his opinion. a
clear title cannot be obtained, he snail
nroceed to construct an isthmian canal
Nv fine Nicaragua route. The bill furth-
or nrovides that a commission of seven
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