New-York tribune., 1902-06-19
SENATOR sPooNER's SPEECH

,, tJs sneech in support Of his own
proposition Mr.. Spooner said that the co"S' ~ u
ton OF an isthmian canal WAS colosSai ~ en'e
nrise and one which he believed the American peo-
r1o With notably little division Of sentiment oe-
sired should be begun and carried forward No
higher or more solemn duty ever rested on men III
nublic life than determine this question rlehtS
Mr. Spooner eulogized the Isthmian Canal com
,,iseior declaring that nobody would attempt 10
n,peach its integrity ability engineering Skill
The problem of infinite engineering Cohl-
nlications and all knew that the object OF ap-
noInting the commission was 10 give Congress the
data and the expert opinion which would enaDte
q IN proceed conservatively ana wisely. lie de-
cIared that the eyes OF the American people mad
not been focused simply on the Nicaragua route
They took large view of the subject FROM the
time the commission was appointed 1t had not been
a question Of canal. as all favored that put
merely n question of route.
In response interruption by Mr. Morgan, re
necting on the action of the Isthmian Canal Com
mission in reporting in favor of the Panama route
Mr. Spooner declared that the recommendations in
reports of the commission were entirely con-
slstent."
While the Wisconsin Senator pointing out
some of the advantages OF the Panama route. as
indicated by the commission, Mr.. Morgan inter
tected the remark that he prepared to contro-
them.
II have doubt" retorted Mr.. Spooner. that
the Senator prepared to conroyert anything that
may be said in favor of the Panama route"
Referring
ommending the Panama route, Mr.. Spooner de
clared that the commission dealt with the subject
the second time in view OF the fundamental change
of condtions-the lowering of the price OF the Pan
anna property from so9,ooOcoO TO sioooo,00o
That was the only change" suggested Mr..
Morgan.
Yes it was the only change" replied Mr..
Spooner. THE Panama property was still the same
property. and the Panama route was still the
route. The advantages of the the other
shae Earcn nrnllt
said he could not disregard the report of the
mission and follow the judgment of Senator CA1r.
Morgan. He paid cordial tribute to the energy.
ability and earnestness with which Mr.. Morgan had
advocated isthmian canal. and added that Mr..
Morgan's would stand in history as the father
of the canal
Mr. Morgan said he bowed his acknowledgements
for the beautiful compliment, but he de-
pending his own judgment In the matter
SHORTER CANAL THE BETTER
Mr. Spooner suggested that matter OF infinite
consequence to his mind the difference in the
length OF the two rOutes-one fOrty-nine miles
the other 1SS miles long. The shorter canaI-the
Panama-he thought was the better. He contended
that the Panama Canal could be operated much
more cheaply than the Nicaragua Canal, and that
in its operation sailing ships not only would not
be barred. had been suggested. but could pass
through the canal with tug in day.
In presenting his substitute Mr. Spooner said it
was his purpose to place before the Senate bill
based the commissions report. First, that the
Panama canal practicable; second. that the
Nicaragua canal feasible and practicable. and,
third. that the Panama route was the better for
the United States.
Mr. Aldrlch inquired whether Mr.. Spooner
strued his amendment to provide that the Pres-
dent could expend money for the canal until a
treaty with the Colombian Government had been
negotiat ted and ratified by the Senate
II do,' replied Mr. Spooner. Il do not under
stand that treaty can be anything more than
mere proposition until 1t Is submitted and rati-
fled by the Senate I"
the legal status of the Panama canal property
He became engaged in a spirited colloquy with Mr.
Mitchell OF Oregon, over some phases of the sub
ject. tho latter finally declaring: 1T will be ten
years before good title to the Panama property
can be obtained
THE Senator frightens me-" said Mr. Spooner.
Uaughter) Continuing. he said "Of course, the
title to the property must be passed within
sonable time. Ten years. five years even year,
would not be regarded by the President
sonahle time"
In response to suggestion by Mr. Morgan that
the opening of negotiations with Colombia would
render void the rights of the United States with
Nicaragua and Costa Rica, Mr.. Spooner pointed out
the constitutional inability OF Costa Rica negoti
atA on the subject with the United States
Mr.. Morgan offered q nots he had just received
from the Minister OF Costa Riea, sayipx that he