The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-31
SENATOR SIMMONS FAVORS
RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY
The Full Text of His Vigorous Argument Deliv-
cred Before the Senate OH Wednes-
day. Last
Especial to News and observero

Especial to News and ODSerVer.)
Washington, d. c., Jan. 30.-The fol-
lowing is Senator Simmons's speech in
favor of the ratification of the Isthmian
Canal treaty. This speech was delivered
before the Senate on Wednesday and was
the first argument from the Democratic
side in favor of the Panama treaty. The
text of Mr.. Simmonss S address follows:
Mr.. Simmons. Mr.. President, it is my
purpose In the remarks which 1 shall
submit upon the pending resolutions to
make statement of the facts of this
Panama situation as l see them and my
conclusions drawn from these facts.
When the Fiftyseventh Congress met
there was an apparently universal de-
mand coming from all parts of the coun-
try Tor the construction Of the canal by
the Nicaraguan route. The national con-
ventions or both parties had declared for
that route The Canal Commission had
unanimously reported in it's favor, and
the alternative route by way of the Is,
thmus OF Panama, on account of the cx-
orbitant, IL not impossible, price asked
by the Panama Canal Comany for its
concessions, had, so far as the ublic mind
and sentiment of the country were con-
cerned, been eliminated from discussion
and consideration.
In these conditions the Panama Canal
Company, realizing that its only chance
OF selling It's property on the Isthmus
to this Government its only possible
purchaser, was about to be lost. reduced
its demand from one hundred and nine
TO forty millions of dollars. Thereupon
the Canal Commission was promptly re-
convened and changed its recommendation
from unanimous report in favor OF the
Nicaragua route to unanimous report
IN favor of the Panama route
AS the result of this changed situation
the old controversy between the TWO
routes, which had slumbered for years,
was revived and reopened, and the rela-
tive merits of the two routes again be-
came the subject of earnest investigation
and heated discussion. The discussion in
tins chamber was long and exhaustive.
Every phase of the question was debated
In consequence of this debate and the
discussions through the press ana BY
the people there occurred one OF the
m. st remarkable changes in public senti-
ment ever witnessed in this country The
Senate, following the recommendation OF
the Canal Commission. adopted the So
called Spooner Act, expressing pref
crence for the Panama route.
The House, which had already passo3
bill authorizing the construction of the
canal by the Nicaragua route, reversed
itself and followed the footsteps of the
Senate, and the people acquiesced, as is
shown by the fact that in States where
the demand for the Nicaragua route was
once the strongest, notwithstanding their
disapproval of the methods by which the
Hay-Varllla treaty was made possible, the
people are now demanding that that
treaty shall be ratified.
| will not undertake to say what argll-
ments, or reasons, or facts, in addition
to the reduction by the canal company of
its price, and the demonstrated feasibil-
ity of the Panama route, brought about
this sudden and extraordinary change of
opinion.
1t may have been the fact that canal
by the Panama route may be made sea
level canal, while sea-level canal eau
never be constructed by the Nicaragua
route.
1t may have been the fact that it will
require two nights and whole day 10.
caragua, while a ship can enter and pass
out of canal by the Panama route with
IN the light OF single day. For the pur-
pose of this statement and argument, suf-
flee 1T to say that this change was not
brought about by artifice or trickery, but
that it was undoubtedly the result of a
real change of opinion respecting the
relative merits of these two routes.
In view, Mr.. President, of these cir
oumstances, in reaching right conclu-
sion as to the duties of the President
under the Spooner Act, in locating the
canal, the prefer expressed in that
act for the Panama over tho Nicaragua
route can not be considered as mere per-
tunctory declaration by Congress or by
the people. Undoubtedly the lawmakers
BY that declaration or preference meant
more than simply to say to the President
as between the two routes, "While we
somewhat prefer the Panama route, it
does not matter much which you select
so we get the canal, and get it quickly
On the contrary. Mr.. President they
meant TO say to him, and to say it with
unmlstakable emphasis: Panama is de-
cidedly the best route We have selected
1t after long and mature consideration
we therefore direct you to construct the