The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-04
C. B. Lands in THE CITY
NINTH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE
TALKS ON CURRENT TOPICS.
Neither He Nor His Brother Will
Speak in Local Campaign-Coming
Session of Congress.

Hon. Charles B. Lands. member of Con-
gress from the Ninth district, was at the
Columbia Club last evening. To a Journal
reporter he said: Il do not find the people
In the Ninth district worrying over any
proposed currency legislation. They are so
busy making money that they do not even
read these scientific editorials in the
daily papers on the question of
contraction. expansion or elasticity as ap-
piled to our currency. My opinion is that
there will be little done at the coming ses-
sion of Congress along this line"
What question Of general interest will
come up during the session. was asked.
THE Panama canal question is one to
come UP in some form. No one can tell i'm
what shape it will first present itself but it
will be there and early in the session. too.
The canal bill that passed at the last
session authorized the construction of an
isthmian canal at Panama and provided
that if satisfactory arrangements could not
be made with the Colombian government
then the President should take I'D the mat
ter with reference to the Nicarauguan route.
The preference was for the Panama route
when the bill was passed and since then
the conviction that the canal should
be cut at Panama and nowhere else has
strengthened with the American people un-
til they are practically q unit on the Ques-
ton. The action of the Colombian govern
| ment was a great surprise TO all OF us and
is by no means final. 1t is my opinion that
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hay will
find a way of demonstrating to that gov
eminent that 1t will be best for the people
Of Colombia, the United States and the
world that this great Improvement be made,
that it be done soon and at Panama. 1t is
not a local enterprise, nor a national en-
terprise, nor yet an enterprise in which
the western hemisphere alone is inter-
ested. 1t is a world enterprise, undertaken
by this great American Republic for our
own advantage and the worlds advantage,
and no selfish interest will be able to block
the way. 1 believe that the United States
occupies that position in the world in gen.
eral. and in the western hemisphere in
particular. TO justify ii, in this instance,
in charging on the principle of eminent
domain. The right OF eminent domain Is
that superior domain Of the sovereign power
over all the property within its territory,
which authorizes IL to appropriate any part
| thereof TO a necessary public use, reasonable
compensation being made. Pursuant TO this
we have constructed our railroads., and
canals. and public highways, and no man.
nor set of men, have been permitted TO
stand in the path of progress. L do not be-
lieve that a handful of men will be able
to stand in the way of this Improvement
The civilized world is practically unani-
nous on the question. the spirit of the
twentieth century demands the waterway,
the American Republic Is willing to pay
extravagantly for all concessions and some
better reason than that already advanced
must be given or the canal will be built.
l do not believe a canal will ever be con-
structed along the Nicaragua route. L do
believe one will be well under way at
Panama at a comparatively early date
lit has been stated that you and your
brother. who represents the Tenth district
i'm Congress-, are to make speeches in the
indianapolis city campaign this fall"
There is no foundation whatever for that
report. Neither Mayor nor any
one else intimated such a thing TO either
my brother or myself. We have both been
invited TO participate in the Ohio cam
paign and have accepted. The Legislature
elected in Ohio this fall will select a sue
cessor to Senator Hanna. We are in favor
of MIR. Hanna's reelection. and if he thinks
we can help in the cause we are at his
service"