Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-01-16

the required concessions can be OBJ
tanned from Colombia Mr.. Parker On. |
j. argued that the question of routes
should be determined by the execu-
tive. He made comparison of the
two routes, using the data compiled
by the commission, c0ntending that
the Panama route had many advan-
tages over the Nicaragua route He
appealed to the house not to fetter
the president.
Mr.. Morris (Minn.), who offered the
amendment yesterday to give thel
president the alternative authority,
explained the purpose of his amend
ment, which, he said, was not tol
impede the construction, but to insure
the selection of the best canal-the
best as to location, cost Of main
tenance and operation, durability and
freedom from danger from destruc-
ton.
Before the isthmian commission
made it's report he did not believe
the Panama route feasible. He
thought it had been used solely for
the purpose of delay. But since read
ing the report he was unable to
reach a conclusion as to which was
the better route Moreover, he did
not believe that any man could read
the report and tell which route the
commission would have selected had
the cost and conditions been equal.
In embarking upon an enterprise that
was to cost S200,000000, perhaps
more. he considered it wise that the
experts should have an opportunity to
consider the new offer.
Mr.. Burgess (Texas), who repre-
sents the Galveston district, supported
the bill in an earnest speech. The
only amendment he favored was one
declaring in unequivOcal language
that the canal should be fortified.
Mr.. Cummings IN. ", opposed
further consideration of the Panams
company's offer. The company want
ed $40 100000 for the work already
done, which covered about one-fourth
fourth had cost the French stock.
holders $240, 600 At the same rate it
would cost the United States $270,-
600 600 to complete the canal.
Washington, Jan. 9.-The open SEES
sion of the senate was devoted to
routine business. After the executive
session It adjourned until Monday.
The Hepburn Ntcaraguan canal bill
| passed the house by practlcally
unanimous vote. Only two members
out of 80 voted against it. Messrs.
Fletcher (rep., Minn) and Lassiter
! (dem.. Va.l were tie two voting in the
negative. The opposition to COM
| hitting the government to the Nlcara-
guam route attempted to secure amend
ments to lodge with the president
discretionary power to purchase and
complete the Panama canal, If It
| could be purchased for S40, GOO.
| The test came on the first vote, when
! the advocates of the alternate route
| polled 10z, against ITO votes. At each
! succeeding vote their strength
dwindled until Mr. Cannon Gid, IN
der whose leadership the fight was
made, was unable to get ayes and
noes on q motion to re-commit. Ali
other amendments failed and the bill
passed exactly as il came from the
committee. The bill authorizes the
president to secure from the states OF
! Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in behalf
| of the United States, the control OF
such portion Of territory belonging
| to said states as may be desirable
and necessary in which to eXcavate,
| construct, and operate a canal suit
| able to 511e wants of modern naViga-
| ton and commerce, and appropriates
! such sum as may be necessary to
| secure control Of said territory. Sec
| ton authorizes the president, after
securing control of the needed ter
ritory, TO direct the secretary of war
! to construct such canaI from tae Car
| ibbean sea at q point near GreytOwn,
! Nicaragua, by way Of Lake Nicaragua,
! to a point on the Pacific ocean near
| Brito. and also to construct proper
harbors at the termi1Rii of SAID canal,
| and make necessary provisions for
| the defense OF the canal and harbors.
Sections 8 and 4 J. authorize the
president to make such survey as may
| be necessary and employ such per-
sons in constructing the. canal as
may to him seem wise, and directs
| thaSe in the construction OF the canal
thae San JUAN river and Lake Nie2ra-
| qua shall be used as far as they are
available Section authorizes him
| to- guarantee to the states Of Costa
Rsca and Nicaragua the use CT the
| canal ana harbogs,. upcn terms to be
agreed upon, for all vessels owned by
said states and citizens thereof The
| last section makes a present appro-
\ priatior of $4,000, 009 to carry on this
work and authorizes ahe secretary of
war to- enter into proper contracts for
| material and work as may be deemed
| necessary therefor. such work and
lions may be made FROM time to
time. The section fixes the aggre-
gate cost at $1S0,000000 to be drawn
Oh the treasury on warrants from the
president
Washington. Jan. 10-The house
spent the day considering the Hop
kfns bill to create a permanent cen
sus bureau. While general sentiment
was in favor of a permanent bureau,
there was strong opposition to the