Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1911-12-01
[I759A/YE- ~ AnILH HOSEzZNZ G1OLI>UE


canal purposes, the United States had maevolent
territorial designs toward all Central and South
( America.
! No one had any conception that progress on
the canal would be rapid as it has proved to
De. Much more time spent in talking prior
to the beginning of operations than has been spent
since in digging. Now that it is long in the past,
the country is perhaps forgetful but it may be
OF interest to remember that for many weary
months the congress of the United States gave
itself over to debate, discussions and even bick-
erings upon the relative values of two routes for
the waterway the Nicaraugan route and the Pan
anna route.
Senator Morgan of Alabama, who died few
years ago, advocate of the N1caraugan
route He was old man at the time that ne
undertook to voice sentiment and argument on
behalf of the more northern waterway he
worked night and day, studying the questions IN
volved from every possible viewpoint and the long
speeches which he made on the matter IN mana
were written almost entirely by his own hand.
He was indefatigable in labor and what ne ola
on behalf of the Nicaraugan route and on Denan
of the waterway scheme generally is best tolo
in the words of Senator Jonathan F. Dolllver OF
Iowa Dolliver, like Morgan is dead. The loWan
was in favor of the Panama route, while the
Alabaman was in favor of the Nicaraugan route
The two men were opposed to each other pont-
fcay, but they personal friends. When Dlt-
ter disappointment to Morgan In the nnaI
defeat of the Nicaraugan project Dol11ver rose IN
his seat and paid this tribute to his aged col
league:
HE stands here in his old age, one OF the MIS-
toric figures connected with this canal contro-
yersy He may not be the who began the
discussion but for nearly a generation ne mas
kept it up. No has ever exhibited Within our
knowledge ant such marvellous industry, energy
and sagacity as he has put into the argument Tor
the Nicaraugan canal Day and night he has Ia
bored not with the assistance of others, but per-
sonally often with his pen writing the
speeches which have become the chief part or
the agitation which has resulted in unify1ng pubic
sentiment in the United States in favor OF the
canal
81 regret more than can say that he was dis
appointed in his own personal ambition in respect
to the route that finally chosen, but that
does not prevent me from adding that long after
the little controversies of this hour forgotten.
his name will be connected in immortal reputa-
ton with the Isthmian canal, wherever 1t is built
Few people probably have forgotten the hrst
attempts of President Roosevelt and Secretary OF
War Taft to secure the service of a civilian eng1
neer who would stick at his post until the Panama
canal was dug. Three great engine ers, one after
another, resigned their positions as engineers-in-
chief
1t is perhaps useless to discuss the causes which
led to the designations of the civilian engineers
All sorts Of stories told, from the fear OF
yellow fever to inability to maintain discipline In
the working forces. 1t is probable that one engt
neer's ears tingled for long time with the re-
bube which was given him by Secretary of War
Taft. who is now the president Of the UnitsA