Morris tribune., 1902-01-11
LAST DAYS DEBATE.
"a nnon of Illinois Speaks Against the
Canal Bill.

Canal Bill.
| Washington. Jan. 10.--In anticipa
| tiol of a vote upon the Nicaraguan
canSl bill there was a large attendance
| On the floor when the house met. Mr.
| Adanson (Ga.). the first speaker
urged the passage of the Hepburn bill
without amendment. He argued that
| the time had come for action and that
eQuiYocation now could only result in
delaying the commencement of the
canal
M Wooten (TeX.) also argued that
the bill should be passed without
amendment If the Morris amendment
we're adopted, said he, the canal would
become conditional project, sur,
7runded by doubts and difficulties
which might doom it to final failure
owing to international political com,
plications
Mr., WOoten said he did not favor
an amendment to. fortify the canal.
lie believed such an amendment saw
oled more Of spurious sentiment than
sound and sanitary sense. He favored
neutral canal. At this point. upon
the request Of Mr.. Davis (FlaD. the
time fOE general debate. was extended
until $50 ps N. Mn Sparkman2 (FIa.}
spoke IN favor Of the Hepburn bill
Mr. Cannon (IIIs.), chairman Of the
appropriations committee then TOOK
the floor.
His remarks were given close at
tentiO1. The building Of this canal.
he said, was business proposition
and should be considered from a bust,
ness standpoint. lie had favored a
canal for some years past but be had
not been willing to proceed without
information and be had been called
hard names.
Mr.. Cannon at this point clashed
sharply with Mr.. Hepburn who is iD
charge of the bill,
Cannon Criticises Hepburn.
Mr., Cannon criticised the lowan for
Withholding his speech from the rec
ord and Mr. Hepburn characterized
Mr.. Cannon's criticism as "QuerilOus
and for an improper purpose" and
stated that he had only exercised. a
privilege customarily exercised by
members. But he offered then and
there to give Mr.. Cannon the speech
and sent it over to him by a page
of the bill. said that under it's artful
language, full power was given to pay
not only Nicaragua and Costa RIGA |
and the Maritime Canal company their
demands. hut also the American and !
Nicaraguan spectators who owned |
property along the route. He criti-
cised the undue haste of the promoters
of the Nicaragua canal. He wanted to
see the protocol that had been re-
Gently negotiated. He, objected to the
provision that contracts could be made
for the whole work.
Mr.. Cannon declared that, in his
recollection, a member presenting a
great measure to undertake a work
hat was to last for centuries had
never pursued such course. He de-
,lared that it was not decent parlia-
nentary procedure and when Mr. Hep D
ourn made some quick reply he OBJ
amid laughter, that if the i
gentleman from Iowa were only as
Straightforward as he was "f1ip of
ongue" he would be a better legis.
ator.
Mr.. Cannon said that it was doubt.
ul if war taxes could be removed if :
he government was committed to
UGH a. gigantic enterprise. He said
le would vote for the Morris amend. :
nent and, if that failed, would move
o recommit, so the bill could be .
mended. -.@ .-. II
At 2ao'clock Mr. Hepburn took the {
oor to- close general debate. He re.
lied chiefly to, the remarks OF Mr.. 9
cannon and won frequent applause.
nEu
S business man, yet he wanted to e
ay $40,00O,0O0 for something the com.
mission said was worth $4,000 900. q
The bill was then read for amend.
lent under the 5-minute rule