Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1904-01-27
NATIONAL LAWMAKERS
What the Two Houses of Congress
Are Doing.
Pure Food Bill.

tain the bill before the House without
interruption for consideration tomor'
row. Just before the recess an amend
ment coming from the Democratic
side was adopted inserting the word
"wilfully," relative to the sale OF
prohibited adulterated goods by re-
tailers, which would make it incum-
bent upon the government to prove
knowledge on the part of retailers
that the sale CT such goods was con-
trary to law. The principal speeches
of the day were made by Messrs. Hep
burn and Mann in favor of the bill
and Adamsoti, Bartlett and Clark in
opposition Mr. Adamson elaborated
the views he expressed III d minority
report. He said such legislation was
unnecessary, as local communities
had ample power to correct evils, Mr..
Clark believed the present bill should
be modified, especially the sections
pertaining to the acquisition Of SAM
samples, which, he said, required a
man to furnish evidence against him
self, which was un constitutional.
Patterson Talks.
Mr.. Patterson completed his speech
on the Panama canal question and MIR.
Platt, of Connecticut. began on the
same subject Mr. Patterson declared
that the President was largely resron-
sible for the revolt in Panama and an
nounced his decided preference for the
Nicaraguan route. Mr.. Piatt took this
pronouncement for Nicaragua as the
text for his remarks, saying that this
preference for the more northern rorte
explained away the mystery of the
otherwise unexplainable opposition on
the Panama treaty.
Referring to the Presidents declara-
tion that what had been done in Pan
ANA had been done as the mandate OF
civilization, Mr. Patterson quoted with
approval statement by Mr.. Spooner
to the effect that that was new
phrase, adding: at was new phrase,
and the man who penned it must have
been In state of mental exaltation at
the time, as others have been on other
occasions Mahomet, Joe Smith and
Dowie have moved in such exalted
spheres that they imagined themselves
as the very vice regents Of the Al
mighty, and it may be that the Presi-
dent moves In the same sphere
Mr.. Patterson charged that the effort
to displace the Nicaroguan canal with
the Panama canal was in the interest
of those who wanted no canal at all and
who, IL they were to have any canal,
wanted the one which would give the
least competition to the trans-conti-
mental railroads. He believed the Mic
aragua canal could be completed in If
teen years less time than the Panama
canal. He would, therefore, vote
against the ratification Of the treaty.
I1r. Platt's YiswS
Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut, concluded
bis .spgeGlha. on panama .Tharsday- fon+
session, after the expiration OF the
morning hour He defended the cae1se
of the President throughout the Fan
anna revolt and eulogized the executive
personally as brave and fearless. Du-
ring the morning hour Mr.. Morgan
spoke in explanation of his bill for the
annexation of Panama to the United
States basing his argument on the
ground that the pending canal treaty
practically contemplated that result
and said, in effect, that If it was 70
be done at all it should be done oy
legislation and not by treaty.
Mr.. Morgon spoke Of the difficulties
which the country has encountered IN
Panama. saying that they are not Oh
the country's seeking, but were que
to the precipitancy of the President OF
the United States. It was, however,
impossible to undo what had been
done. and he contended that further
proceedings should be in accordance
with legislation. In order to get rid OF
the consequences of our acts we must
make. he said, some equitable arrange
ment with Panama, for it was not to De
supposed that Colombia meant to SUD-
NIT calmly. If, he argued, We are to
huild a canal in Panama, we must have
the good will of Colombia, for without
it the obstacles of disease and oatiaWry
will be infinitely increased.
Mr.. Morgan predicted that the Presi-
dent would not be able to secure future
appropriations.
Indeed" he said, 81 don't believe
that he wants appropriations. 1t is
better for campaign purposes that leg
islation on the canal question should
consist of purposes only"
He said that he had inserted in MS
bill the provision for the payment or
SIS. .0C0 600 for the practiflcation OF Co
lombia because he had heard that the
President had entered into an agree
ment for the payment of that sum for
that purpose.
Mr.. Plott defended the President
against the charge Of committing TN
act of war or even an act of interven-
ton, denying that his acts in connec-
tion with the Panama revolt amounted
to either. The charges that the Pres
iCent knew of the revolution and had
connived at it, MR. Plat characterized
as disgraceful and untrue. He said the
President had the right to protect tran
sit across the isthmus even against
Colombia.
Mr.. Platt referred to the retirement
OF the Colombian forces and was inter-
rupted by Mr.. Tillman, who asked II
the attitude of the Colombian forces
was not in the nature Of dicker or
badger to increase the price of going
Mr.. Platt replied that Mr.. Hubbard
and his 424 men had nothing to do with
the Colombian troops.
81 want canal at Panama., said
Mr. Tillman. "if we don't have to steal
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