New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-18
SPOONER FOR CHAIRMAN
Man Succeed Hanna at Head of In
terOceanic Canals Committee.
IFRoM The TRIBUNE BUREAU


Washington. Feb. 11.-WiI John c. Spooner
succeed Senator Hanna as chairman OF the Com
mittee on Interoceanic Canals? This Is the ques-
ton which members Of the Senate ara seriously
asking one another this evening, and there are
some reasons for believing that this important
post. made vacant by the death OF Senator
Hanna, will be 30 filed. BY right OF seniority,
which is never violated IN the Senate. the chair
mansh:p would 20 TO Senator Plat. Of New
York and on him depends the answer to the
above question.
Important legislation must be prepared IN this
committee as the Panama treaty is rati-
fed. measure which on a small scale, Will
resemble the Philippine government bill must
be carefully drafted and reported to the Senate
at early date. The Spooner amendment IN
der the provisions Of which the present treaty
has been negotiated and the canal rights will
he purchased. is general in its character. Now
provision must be made for the control OF the
canal zone, the constitution OF local courts the
sanitation Of the STRIP. and numerous other adj
ministrative details. Throughout the construc-
ton OF the canal Congress VIII probably be ap-
pealed TO for special legislation. The canal zone
is. In sense. extra-territorial. and involved
questions OF jurisprudence, contract labor and
other perplexing problems are certain to arise
and call for energetic and difficult work on the
10
these tasks are assigned. Moreover the gen
eral supervision OF the work OF the Isthmian
Cana Commission Will devoIve upon these COM
mittees. and especially on the committee Of the
upper chamber.
In view OF the laborious character Of this
craftsmanship there is question as TO
whether Senator Plat will to undertake.
the work That he will be urged TO do so seems
almost certain. but it is recalled that when Sem
ator Morgan was displaced the New-York SEN
ator promptly transferred his prerogative 20
Senator Hanna as a man whose devotion to the
Panama route deserved recognition and whose
ability unquestioned.
Next in rank to Senator Plat stands Senator
Mitchell. OF oregon. who was devoted TO the
Nicaragua route and opposed in debate Senator
Hanna and other champions OF the Panama
route. Senator Morgan's devotion to Nicaragua
was deemed sufficient ground for deposing him
when the Panama route had been chosen. not
withstanding his long devotion to the OF
an isthmian canal Senator Mitchelrs adherence
to the discarded route is held by many to unfit
him for the Craftsmanship. and it is believed that.
even although Senator Plat might prefer to
retain his present Craftsmanship. that OF the
Printing Committee he would not yield the
Craftsmanship OF the Canal Committee to any
Senator who had In less degree than himself the
confidence OF the Senate.
SENATOR PLATT MAY YIELD THE PLACE.
That Senator Plat might. however prefer
that Senator Spooner accept the vacant chair
manship Is unlikely AS author of the
Spooner amendment as one Of the most forcefuI
defenders Of the Panama policy Of the admin
istration. and as a legislator OF pre-emnent
ability Mr.. Spooner is regarded all sides as
particularly fitted for this important assign
ment and Senator Plat in yielding the chair
manship to him would IN no sense be sacrificing
his own dignity. Another problem which will |
present itself to the leaders Of the Senate II Mr.
Plat decides not to accept the responsibilities
of the canal chafrnanship will be the difficulty
Of prevailing the Senator from Wisconsin to |
accept so arduous assignment However, II |
is believed that when Mr.. SpoOner is convinced |
that it is the unanimous desire OF his colleagues
that he accept the place his devotion TO tbs /
canal cause will lead him to set aside his per- l
sonal predictions and make the transfer from
the comparatively unimportant Committee on
Rules TO the all-important Committee on Inter
oceanic Canals
There is some discussion Of the availability Of
Senator Kittredge for chairman Of the Canal |
Committed but he follows Senators Mitchell
and Willard in the line of succession. and even |
II Senator P1att did not care for the place him
TO the South Dakota Senator II is seriously |
doubted IL Senator Mitchell would acquiesce in |
that programme. Senator Kituedge is regarded
as a capable man, and he Won some distinction
BY his devotion to the cause OF Panama year
ago and the able assistance he gave Senator
Hanna in securing the enactment Of the SpOoner
amendment
AS the situation stands. this chairmanship is
the occasion Of serious anxiety 10 the leaders Of
difficulties and much cause for worry until a
definite conclusion has been reached: but even
this early date IL may be said authorize lively
hat the yielding OF Senator Platt TO Senator |
Spooner and acceptance by the latter would
present the happiest solution thus far in sight
some say ccncstvaola