The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-01-09
UNDUE HASTE OF NICARAGUA
PROMOTERS CRITICISED.
GENERAL DEBATE EXTENDED
Wide Difference Of Opinion Among the
congressman as to Routes and Other
Details-Panama Route Is
Still Possibility.
(By Associated Press.)

Washington, Jan. 9.-In anticipation of
a vote on the Nicaragua canal bill to-
day, there was a large attendance on the
floor when the house met.
Under the order made yesterday the
general debate was to close at o'clock
when the bill was to be read for amend
ment under the five-minute rule.
Mr.. Adamson OF Georgia, the first
speaker today, urged the passage OF the
Hepburn bill without amendment. He
argued that the time had come for ac-
ton and that equivocation now could
only result in delaying the commence
ment OF the canal.
Mr.. Cannon, discussing the language of
the bill, said that under its "artful Ian
guage," full power was given not only
to pay Nicaragua and Costa Rica and
the Maritime Canal company their de-
mands, but also the American and Mic
araguan spectators who owned property
along the route.
He criticized the undue haste of the
promoters of the Nicaragua canal. He
said it was doubtful IL war taxes could
be removed IL the government was COM
mitted to such a gigantic enterprise
He said he would vote for the Morris
amendment and II that failed would
move to recommt, SO the bill could be
amended.
Mr.. De Almond of Missouri favored the
leaving of the question of routes to the
president.
With alternative authority he could
make better terms. The bill as presented
was not mature.
WAS the army engineer corps gi-
gantic syndicate to build the canal?"
asked the congressman.
IF the Panama company had an offer
to make which we would accept" he
said. there would be time enough to
take advantage of II when the bill was
pending in the senate, or later in confer
ence."
Mr.. Wooten of Texas also argued that
the bill should be passed without amend
ment. He regarded the Morris amend
ment as a modern Trojan horse.
Mr.. Wooten said he did not favor an
amendment to fortify the canal. He be-
lieved such an amendment savored more
of spurious sentiment than sound and
salutary sense. He favored a neutral
canal.
~ this Pc'ht, uPoi uiG ICaucSl OIL r.
Davis of Florida, the time for general
debate was extended until 2:30 p. m.
Mr.. Sparkman of Florida spoke in
favor of the Hepburn bill
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois, chairman of the
appropriations committee, took the floor.
Mr.. Cannon's remarks were given close
attention. The building Of this canal, he
said, was a business proposition and
should be considered from a business
standpoint. Gentlemen talked about
this proposed canal having been agi-
tated for 400 years and used that as
an argument why members of congress
should fall over each other to vote for
the pending bill
Personally he had favored a canal for
years, but because he had not been
willing to proceed without information
and against fixed treaty laws, he had
been called hard names. Mr.. Cannon at
this point clashed sharply with Mr.. Hep
burn, who is in charge of the bill.
Mr.. Cannon criticised the Iowan for
Withholding his speech from the Record,
and Mr.. Hepburn characterized Mr.. Cam
mons criticism as "querulous and for an
improper purpose" stating that he had
only exercised privilege customarily ex-
ercised by members. But he offered then
and there to give Mr.. Cannon the speech
and sent 1t over to him by page.
Mr.. Cannon declared that In his rec
election member presenting a great
measure to undertake work that would
last for centuries, had never pursued
such course.
He declared it was not decent parlia-
mentary procedure, and when Mr.. Hep
burn made some quick reply, he observed
amid laughter that If the gentleman from
Iowa was only as straightforward as he
was Flip Of tongue" he would be a bet
ter legislator.