New Britain herald., 1914-04-09

world by his masterly achievements in the enactment of constructive leg islation. Realizing, as we do, his broadness of view and his keen sense of justice in considering the views of others, irrespective of whether or not they are in accord with his own con- clusions, we can say, with confidence and pride in our chief executive, that he would be the last man to expect anyone to cast vote against his con- science on any matter, and especially on a matter of such supreme mo- ment as the Panama canal toll ques- tion. .'
 I hold that under the solemn oath which I took before the bar of this house that my first duty Is to my con- science. Any other action would not be in conformity with what is ex- pected of a representative in the great American congress. -
 Historical.
 A brief history of the Panama canal negotiations is proper at this time. The United States and Colombia en- tered into a treaty in 1846 under which a right of transit over the Isthmus of Panama from sea to sea was granted to the United States. As a result of the treaty the Panama railroad was completed nine years after the treaty was signed.
 A treaty between the United States and Nicaragua was entered into in 1849, and this treaty provided for the construction of ship canal from Greytown, San Juan, on the Atlantic coast, to the Pacific coast by way of the Lake of Nicaragua.
 The Atlantic end of the canal would have been in the territory of the Mosquito Indians. Great Britain claimed a protectorate over these Indians, and insisted that it alone should name the conditions under which the canal could be opened. This | claim of the British involved com- plete disregard of the Monroe | doctrine and an official protest was ! made by the United States minister at London. Later, Secretary of State Clayton (of President Zachary Fay lor's cabinet) and Sir Henry Pulwer. the British minister at Washington. entered into negotiations. and in 1850 concluded the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. This treaty stipulated that neither 1 Great Britain nor the United States ! should ever obtain or maintain for itself any exclusive control over the canal or erect Qualifications upon it. nor occupy or exercise any dominion over any part of Central America; and that in event of war the vessels of Great Britain and the United States must be permitted to pass unmo1est- ed, and that both nations would guard the canal and preserve it's neutrality. This treaty was very un- satisfactory to the United States, for it's terms made the building of the canal by the United States an abso- lute impossibility.
 The unsatisfactory Clayton Bulwer treaty continued in force until 1901, when it was superseded by the Hay Pauncefote tReaty-the treaty which figures so prominently in the canal tolls discussion,
 The Hay-Pauncefote treaty sets forth the desire of the United States and Great Britain to bring about the construction of ship canal by such route as may be considered expedient. The second article refers to the con- structing and financing of the canal under the auspices of the United States, and specifies that this coun- try shall have and enjoy all the rights incident to such construction, as well as the exclusive right of pro- viding for the regulation and man. agement of the canal.'
 In 1903 the senate of the United States ratified the Hay-Herran treaty, between this country and Colombia The plans at that time contemplated a payment of $10,0O0,OO0 to the Co., 1<v, ,,,1 rental of $25O,00O. Later the Co., lombian government sought to re- pudiate the promise of it's representa- tives, yet indicating that it would rat ify the treaty if it were paid $25,- 900, 1000. Indignant at prospects of losing the benefits sure to accompany the construction of the canal, the peo- pie of Panama revolted against the Colombian government, and Panama seeded from Colombia and estab- lished provisional government
 Treaty Ratified.
 The United States, Great Britain, and France quickly recognized the new Republic of Panama. Tn 1903 and under this treaty there was granted to the United States in per- petuity zone of land and land un- der water for the construction, lnain- tenance, operation, sanitation and pro- lection of the canal of the width of ten miles, beginning in the Caribbean sea and extending to and across the Isthmus of Panama into the Pacific ocean, with the exception of the cities of Panama and Colon. In addition, there were grants of certain other territory and islands.
 This treaty grants the United States