The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-19
THE SENATE.
MI. spooner Speaks in Defense
of the President.
Rv Associated Press,

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb 1s.-The
Panama Canal question was again to-
day the uppermost topic in the Senate,
and Mr.. Spooner held the floor with
speech on that subject during the greater
portion of the session. He discussed
many phases Of the subject sustaining
tbe course of the President throughout.
ue commended for the superiority OF the
Panama route over that of NicaraGuan.
He was frequently interrupted by MIR.
Morgan.
Early In the day, Mr.. Tillman filed a
motion to reconsider the tie vote OF last
Monday. by which the bill to grant Sloo'-
600 to former Queen ,kiluoKalani was a.
feated, but further consideration CT the
question was not pressed al tile time.
s The Senate adjourned until Saturdn!
q on account of Mr.. Hanna's funeral, which
takes place tomorrow.
Mr. spooner found n strong argument
+ in favor of the Panama route In the
fact that sea level canal is feasible
al Panama.
Mr. Morgan took issue with The state
ment relative to sea level canal con-
tending that the tides In that vicinity
arc such as to render sea level wa
Z r.rway almost out Of the question
Mr.. Morgan declared that two canals
B me of them at Nicaragua, could be built
1 as economically as could one tidewnter
X, canal ct Panama.
"And," said Mr., Spooner, nterruptins,
Il have no donht thu. when the time
comes. Nicaragua and Costa Rica Will
be delighted to make the proper conces-
4 Eions.''
II don't know" replied Mr.. Morgan,
'.that they Will DO delighted, but they
can be compelled to do so,
"By the use of guns" Mr.. spooner sus-
gasted
Mr.. Morgan responded by saying that
such an agreement could be secured by
this government 'as easily as IL coulo
hrild a new republic at Panama.
Mr. Spooner defended the President
against the charge that he had violated
( the Spooner act In falling to take the
Nicaragua route when Colombia failed
to accept the Hay-Herran treaty. II
Il he had taken that course. Mr.. Spooner
declared that there would have boon
senators to reprove the President "Ior
biz strenuous haste In turning his back
OF. route in favor Of which Congress
b had made solemn declaration"
Mr.. Spooner discussed at some length
Y the failure of the Hay Herran treat
Z and during his remarks on that point
4 MIR Morgan said that his position on
that treaty had been vindicated.
1.-THE fact remains said Mr.. Spooner
.'ttat the senator from Alabama was the
only American quoted while the treaty
was under consideration al Bogota."
.,That." replied Mr., Morgan. without
rising from his seat. 'is not the first
& time that satan was accused OF quoting
Scripture
4 Mr.. spooner said that he had observed
that whenever our ships were In III
vicinity there also were French ship
there,
=, III have no doubt" lie said, "if Of
August 18th the President had aban
doned Panama and gone to Nicaragua
there would still have been ships there
although they would not have beef
4 ours"
.'What would they have donor" Mr.
Morgan asked
''They would have taken care of Frenc
Interests just as all governments are ex
pncted to protect their Interests Mr.
" Sooner replied.