"The Nicaraguan Canal Bill" -- Speech of Hon. Theodore E. Burton of Ohio - 1900

Description

In order to improve trade and reduce sailing time of ships going back and forth between East Coast ports and the West Coast or other ports bordering the Pacific Ocean, a canal was proposed that would cross Central America through Nicaragua. A Bill had been brought before Congress to provide funds to support this project. The opposition, of which Mr. Burton was a member, were not opposed to a canal traversing Central America, but wanted it to be pursued in a more business-like like manner to assure success (perhaps through the isthmus of Panama).
"The Nicaraguan Canal Bill" -- Speech of Hon. Theodore E. Burton, of Ohio, in the house of representatives, Tuesday, May 1, 1900, With remarks Wednesday, May 2, 1900
presents the case for the more deliberative approach to committing to a trans-isthmus canal. A statement on the title page of this booklet reads
"The early completion of an Isthmian Canal is of the utmost importance and meets the approval of the people of the United States, but the pending bill for thye Nicaraguan Canal is not an effective measure for securing this object. It ignores treaties, disregards business-like methods, and threatens not only to postpone but possibly to defeat the enterprise.
To begin only when the necessary preliminary steps have been taken is the dictate not
of delay, but of caution a d good judgment.”
Mr. Burton’s speech is contained on pages 3 to 30 of the booklet, with
“Extracts from Remarks Made on May 2”
on pages 31 to 36. The remarks represent a more definitive discussion among House members, with Mr. Burton’s opening statement being
“The amendment now pending, as I understand, has reference to the option between two routes. Mr. Chairman. I have not been at any time and am not now an advocate of the Panama route. I repeat what I said to this House yesterday, that good administration, good business, requires a comparison of the two routes by experts, and also a comparison of the concessions and privileges which can be granted to each...”.
The booklet is approximately 6 x 9 inches and contains 36 pages in
paper
covers.
The pages are slightly tanned, but the text is clear and easily read.
The
pictures
above are of the cover and the first page of the speech.
The overall condition of the item is very good.
This booklet is a first edition, as printed in Washington in 1900. It is not a modern reprint or scanned copy of an original.
Theodore Elijah Burton
(December 20, 1851 – October 28, 1929) was a Republican politician from Ohio. He served in the United States House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the Fifty-first United States Congress in 1888 from the Ohio 21st District in Cleveland. but was defeated for re-election in 1890. He was not the Republican nominee in 1892, but was nominated again in 1894 and won election to the Fifty-fourth United States Congress. He was re-elected seven times, serving in the House until 1908. He was noted for his work in preserving Niagara Falls and for opposing wasteful waterways projects. President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him chairman of the Inland Waterways Commission in 1907 and the National Waterways Commission in 1909. He also sponsored the legislation authorizing construction of the Panama Canal.
[Wikipedia]