Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-10
58TH CONGRESS-.
Teller and Morgan Speak
Against Cuban Bill.
Morgan Improves Opportunity to Op-
pose Panama Canal Bill.
House Sends Presidents Message to
Appropriate Committees.

Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Teller
concluded his speech in opposition to
the Cuban reciprocity bill, today, and
Senator Morgan also made a speech IN
opposition to that measure. The Alaba-
ma senator devoted the greater share
Of his attention to the Panama canal
question. He charged that the United
states had broken faith in failing to
obey the Spooner law and warned cuba
that the same course might be followed
nv us towards that country in case the
pending bill should become a law.
After a suggestion that the Penrose
resolution for an investigation OF the
post office department be considered
and a statement by Cullom that the u
ban bill should have the right OF way
the Senate took up the Cuban Dill wheh
the routine business was completed.
Teller continued his speech begun,
Yesterday. He again took up the ques-
tlcn OF the activity of Gen. WOOD. Wnlle
acting rs governor of CUBA, IN Denall
Of Cuban reciprocity with the uhlted
States. He said there were official rec
ords to show that the Cuban govern
ment had paid q sum exceeding $l5,ooo
in that interest during Gen. Woods ad-
,nintstra1ion. He declared that the
nress of both the United States and Gu
Iva had been utilized in support OF the
ro,jcy of reciprocity and quoted figures
showing the amounts paid for newspa-
pers advocating this policy.
In conclusion, Teller said the five
wear, clause could have no weight be-
cause no legislative body can bind the
act of q future body. The clause was
put in as a sop, he said.
Teller was followed by Morgan, Ala.'
who also opposed The bill.
Morgan took occasion to refer ire
uuently to the Panama canal treaty
and in that connection again freely
criticized what he denominated Pres
idential usurpation.'
He declared that the United States
is becoming affected to the core with
coyetousness and said that the country
seemed to be quivering with doubt as
to whether it should go over entirely
or pursue the better course followed
by our national fathers. He asserted
that the United States would do as it
might please with the island of Cuba
the decks of our warships as firmly
as Professor Langley's airship was
ever attached to his household"
He spoke of the negotiations of the
Panama canal treaty as grotesque
act and declared that Panama had
no more right to appoint a minister
to the United States than you had to
consecrate Il saint
He came" the senator said, las a
swift winged messenger of falsehood,
dispatched on his mission to the Pan
ANA Canal Co"
SO far as the concession made to the
Cubans in this bill is concerned, he
said 1t would not be regarded by the
Cubans in anything but a serious light
whatever the result may be.
Morgan said that Cuba would do
we'll to give careful heed to our pur-
poses in the legislation under cOnsid-
Grafton.
Returning to the Panama situation. Mr.
Morgan said that the United States is
practically at war with Colombia as the
Jesuit OF the fact that the President had
fallen into q trap He wanted. he said,
to save the Senate from this trap and
again referred to Mr.. Bunau- Earilla, the
Panama minister, and after reviewing
briefly that gentleman's history as an en-
Elneer and contractor on the Panama ca
nal, said that the had contracted and
we'll and had left the isthmuS a rich
man.
Morgan said that his whole purpose
was to warn the Senate against ratifying
the treaty. the negotiation of which he
characterized as ~ most wretched. Almost
abomnable and n most horrible transac
ton" Notwithstanding this was the case.
t.~r ,,.1n.
over this breach of Monroe Doctrine,
while the President of France and the
president of the United States stand over
the recumbent figure and intone in unison
their solemn and satisfied amen
Discussing the Presidents message. he
said the Chief Executive had failed to
distasteful to him. and declared that he
had not succeeded in formulating any sat
isfactory excuse for his course. He pre-
dicted that the time would come when
Cuba would clip the threads that restrain
her and bind her to us and again float off
into the sea of liberty
In. such an effort: he continued. Cuba
might ind friend in Germany. which
might follow our example and create
state of independence in a night and then
annex it with the coming. sunrise. No
he asked. ''is more eager to fight than
Emperor William or our own strenuous
president" He said that only yesterday
he had met n Democrat who had had "a
place in our affairs only second in i'm
Dcrtance to the Presidency and had made
q name for himself in diplomacy evident
ly meaning former Secretary of State
Olney) who had bowed his head as he
said: For the first time in my life have
to confess that l am ashamed of the atti-
tude Of my country
Morgan, reverting again to Cuba, said
"Our relations with that island ought to
remain as they are so far as our economic
policy Is concentrated or she ought to be
admitted as n state"
Wnrp.an stonped smoking Mt Los and the
Senate went into executive session and III
minutes later adjourned.
TILE hnltcE