Evening star., 1904-02-18
Mr.. Spooner Speaks on the
Isthmian Canal Question.
PAY TO LILIUOKALANI
MOTION ENTERED TO RECDNSID-
Err sENATE's ACTION.
MI Morgan Calls for Information Re-
garding Panama-Fortifications
Bill in the House.

When the Senate met today MIR. Hoar
made request for the extension until next
Monday of the time for motions to recon-
slider votes which had been cast last Mon
day. and no objection being entered. the
order was made. The order is in the inter-
est of the bill to pay $150,0O0 to ex-Queen
Liliuokalani. which, 1t is understood. Will
be reopened by a motion to reconsider.
A few minutes later Mr.. Tillman. who
had voted against the Liliuokalani bill.
entered the motion to reconsider. saying
that he did SO because the friends of the
bill consider that snap judgment" had been
taken. The motion was not taken up for
consideration.
The Senate also adopted the joint reso-
luton directing the Secretary of Commerce
and Labor to inquire into the claim Of the
Wales Island Packing Company ON ac-
count of the recent decision of the Alas
kan boundary commission concerning Wales
Island in Portland canal. Alaska.
The Senate then adopted without objec-
ton resolution offered by Mr.. Morgan
calling upon the President to supply such
information as he may have relative to
the present state OF organization Of the
government of the republic of Panama,
copy of the constitution of said republic,
and to inform the Senate as to any ordi-
nance or other proceeding Of the constitu-
donal convention recently in session at
Panama relating to the Hay Bunau-Yarilla
treaty"
Mr.. Spooner on Isthmian Canal.
Mr.. Spooner then spoke on the isthmian
canal question. He began with evident
embarrassment. and in opening referred to
Mr.. Hanna's death.
I'VE all recognize" he said. that very
strong and kindly personality has passed
from our midst, and every senator finds
himself. whether he will not, looking
FOR face he cannot see listening for a
voice he cannot hear. I know" he added
that have no heart to speak and know
that you have no heart to listen"
He then proceeded with his address. de-
Tending the President against attacks upon
nus course In connection with the rebellion
In Panama, and saying that the criticism
or the present executive is not severer than
that or his predecessors and predicting
that he would be fully vindicated by his
tory. as his predecessors had been
Mr.. Spooner reviewed the efforts at Iegis-
lation in the interest Of an isthmian canal
and discussed the report of the canal COM
mission favorable to the Panama route.
and criticised Prof. Haupt for signing re-
port to which he afterward took exception
He also discussed the relative merits of the
fanama and Nicaragua routes, contending
that the advantages were all in favor of the
fanama route. He found a strong argu-
ment in tavor of Panama in the fact that
a sea-leyel canal is feasible at Panama
MT. Morgan took issue with the state
Inent relative to a sea level canal, contend
Ing that the tides in that vicinity are such
az to render a Sea-level waterway almost
cut of the question. "a,
Mr.. Morgan declared that two canals,
cne of them at Nicaragua, could be built
as economically as could one tide wateS
canal at Panama.
And" said Mr. Spooner inferrupting,
II have no doubt that when the time comes
Nicaragua and Costa Rica will be delighted
t. make the proper concessions"
II don't know" replied Mr.. Morgan, "that
they will be delighted. but they can be COM
PEELED to do SO"
by the use of guns. Mr.. Spooner sug-
gested as Mr. Morgan's idea, and the latter
responded by saying that such an agree
ment could be secured by this government
''as easily as it could build a new republic
at Panama.
Mr.. Spooner defended the President
against the charge that he had violated the
Spooner act In failing to take the Nicaragua
route when Colombia failed to accept the
Hay-Herran treaty. If he had taken that
course Mr.. SpOoner declared that there
would have been senators to reprove the
President for his strenuous haste in turn
Ing his back on route in favor of which
Congress had made a solemn declaration"