The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-07
MORGAN TALKS IN THE OPEN.
he Thinks the Canal Bill Needs More Air, but
is Overruled.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington Feb. 6.-For a time today
in the Senate it looked as if the ques
tion of the construction of an isthmian
canal would be discussed in open session.
Mr.. Morgan spoke on his resolution in
troduced yesterday calling on the Secre-
tary of the Navy for the correspondence
regading the military occupation of the
bays of Panama and Colon. He had not
proceeded far with his remarks, when
Mr.. Cullom, who had been following him
closely, interrupted with a motion for
an executive session, which Mr. Morgan
resisted The Chair, however, overruled
him and the doors were closed
In open session Mr.. Morgan explained
the object of the resolution. and that if
adopted it would prove or disprove all ot
the allegations made in the press of Co
lOmbia, and the United States that at
the time of the settlement of the insur-
rection the government organized in Co
lombia had proposed to the insurrectos
that it would pay 5000, 900 for peace,
the money to be paid out of the money
obtained from the United States for the
sale of concessions relating to the 18TH
mian canal. He declared that no or
ganized government existed in Colombia,
but that it was under a dictator. He read
from the correspondence leading up to
the negotiation of a canal treaty, and
said that in the opinion of the Presi-
dent a satisfactory title could be given
by Colombia, and an agreement had
been reached fixing a price of 81 900, 900
and $250,000 per annum.
After the doors were closed Mr.. Nor
gan continued his remarks, speaking es-
pecially of the irregularities which lie
said characterized the government or
ganized Panama. He did not, however,
do this until he had spoken of the course
of the Senate in closing the doors while
he was discussing his resolution. He
said he considered himself as good a
judge as any one of the proprieties con-
nected with executive matters. He fai
not violated those proprieties and did
not intend to do so. He expressed the
opinion that q question of such import
ance as the construction of an intcr-
oceanic canal, in which the entire world
is interested, should be openly debated,
and he announced his intention of offer
ing motion to that effect in the Senate.
Replying to these remarks, Mr. Cullom
said that he had not intended in any
affront to Mr.. Morgan in asking that the
doors be closed, and that he had only
made the request because of the latter's
reference to the treaty, which could not
under the rules, be debated in open ses-
sion.
Mr. Morgan said that he would take
the first opportunity to test the Senate
on the subject by asking a vote. He
then quoted at length the newspaper re-
ports concerning affairs in Colombia upon
which his resolution was predicated. and
proceeded with his remarks for the pur-
pose Of showing that this government
had undertaken to pay the Colombian
insurgents $1,000, 900. The resolution
went to the calendar.
When the doors were re-opened Mr.
Morgan proceeded with his remarks.
which he said ne had been prevented
from delivering when the doors were
closed
He asked that an article printed in the
Springfield Republican of January 30th,
1903, and which was read in secret ses-
sion, be inserted in the record as a part
of his remarks. Mr.. Hale objected. and
said is the subject had been eferred to
behind closed doors it should not be
spoken of in open session.
Il call the Senator to order" said Mr.
Morgan. He has no right to speak Of
what took place behind closed doors"
AT this juncture the Statehood Bill
was laid before the Senate. Mr.. Keal
yielded the floor to Mr. Morgan. who said
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