The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-06-29

H1ASHINGTON June &.-ShOrtly
w after the senate convened today
a resolution offered yesterday by
Mr. Morgan. providing for an investi-
cation by the committee on inter
oceanic canals to ascertain whether
any claims exist in favor Of citizens
of the United States against the old
or the new Panama Canal company
and authorizing the committee to as
certain whether unlawful or corrupt
methods have been used to obtain any
part of the sum that may be applied to
the purchase Of the property Of the new
Panama Canal company or to Costa
Rica or Nicaragua by the Unites
States, was taken up.
Spooner Against Investigation.
After Mr.. Morgan had explained the
resolution, Mr.. Spooner (Wis.) vigOr-
ously opposed It's adoption, declaring
that it was, without precedent, entire
ly mischievous obstruction OF the ac-
ton of congress. The United STATE
was in no position, he thought. to act
as agent for bOndhOlders or share
holders Of the Panama Canal company.
These people would have TO look to
the French courts for their rights. It
was not the business OF the United
states TO constitute Itself q guardian
Of the French court and Of the people
who had claims against the Panama
Canal company.
Mr.. Morgan insisted upon his resolu-
ton. He wanted to know-and would
know-whether or not the lobby that
had been hanging about congress so
thick that it might be cut with knife
had been receiving, or was to receive
a part of the $40, 000, 900 TO be paid for
the Panama canal property. Things
Of this kind. he said, had occurred in
diplomacy since the first treaty was
made. Large stipends and brides were
paid today to men who conducted
great negotiations. He desired to be
assured that the United States had not
been scandalized in any respect.
Night Cause Complications.
Mr.. Spooner explained that The legs
lation enacted would enable the posi-
dent to act in the premises. However.
he (AIr. Spooner) was not preDa red to
assent to the senate assuming that
the American creditors of the Panama
Canal company could attack the de-
cree Of the French court in this CoCn-
try, so that ground might be made Tor
an indefinite obstruction OF the viii
Of congress in regard to an 1sfhmian
canal.
Mr.. Mitchell Of Oregon said ne could
not see his way clear to support the
pending resolution because u would be
regarded by the people as q ElaGns of
delaying the canal. He ha1 been in
favor Of the construction Of the canal
by the Nicaragua route, and lie felt
that congress had made a mistake in
considering the Panama route. buJ ne
was so much in favor Of On iS,5mian
canal and had so much confidence in
the wisdom Of the president, TO vhOm
the subject has been referred, that he
could not bring himself 20 support TIE
discussion.
Hanna Opposes Resolution.
Mr.. Hanna opposed the resolli. ION.
saying that the people had acceEted
the verdict Of congress upon tEe canal,
and were satisfied. He resented the
insinuation that a lobby was here 10
advocate the Panama route. and to in
duce congressman to vote against their
convictions and inclinations. He pro-
tested against such an insinuation. and
declared that he had never known Of
such a lobby. and he challenged Dir.
He was opposed TO the word and spirit
OF the resolution, and in addition TO
the cloud which AIr. Morgan already
had thrown upon the title to the Pan
ANA Canal cOmpany's property, the
endeaTOr now was made 10 lay upon
congress the charge Of calumny and
corruption. There was no truth in the
insinuation. and Mr.. Morgan must
have known there was none. He was
unalterably opposed to the resolution.
BIr. Morgan disclaimed any effort to
reflect on the senate or congress as d
whole He insisted there had been
lobby here in support Of the Panama
route, but ne had not charged that the
lobby had corrupted congress He be-
lieved the carrying out Of the resolu-
ton would clear the atmosphere Of all
floating charges.
The resolution went to the calendar
without action.
The senate then. at sos p. m, went