The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-18
HAD 4 STORMY SESSION.
Tumultuous Scenes During the
Closing Debate in the West
ern States Congress.
Mi. e. v. Smalley and Others Give
Way to Their Partisan
P~rejudiceA
Free Silver Coinage and the Tariff Were
tho Rocks ON Which the Dclo-
w." = gates Split.

KANSAS Cry, April 17.-Before the West
ern States congress to-day Col. A. G. Fisk
of Denver, delivered an address upon irri
CATION. 1t is estimated that there are on
million square miles of arid lands in TIT
western country that could be made pro,
ductive by irrigation. At the minimum
price of public lands, $l.25 per acre, thi'
land had a value of $500, 0OO, 600. At 80
per acre, a moderate estimate of its value
when irrigated, it would be worth $19,2 200.
100000. If these lands we're properly pro
vided with water, one could scarcely CON
template what an empire of population ane
wealth it would contain. 1t was said thu
people of the regions that desired irriga-
ton, should provide it themselves. With
out agriculture, lands would never be set
tied and there would be no people to pro
vide irrigation. The government should
start this work. Mr.. Wlckliffe, of New
Orleans, spoke upon immigration and tn.
settlement of vacant lands. from thu
text america for Americans" He hat
been told, he said, that this land is broat
enough for all, but he submitted that the
old world has made it the dumping GROUND
for the pauper and criminal classes and he
believed he spoke for the whole American
people when be said the time has come tina,
1t must stop. There is enough roomsfo.
all who want to come here to be one OF us,
hut not n foot OF ground for one OF those
paupers and criminals of the old world. |
may feel deeply upon the subject" added
Wicklife, but l have lately come from a
most terrible object lesson, which clearly
indicates the need of a change in our i'm
migration laws He argued for vigorous
action by the national congress.
The majority report of the committee on
resolutions made to-day favors the free
coinage Of silver and the issuance of Il
sufficient amount of legal tender notes,
redeemable in both gold and silver, to re-
store the equilibrium between money and
all other products; a tariff for revenue only:
that the interstate OF the coun-
try should be controlled by the general gov
eminent: fayors the improvement of the
Mississippi river; the construction of the
Hennepin canal and other waterways by
the government; the equalization of taxa
ton; a national bankrupt law: the sup
preston of trusts and combines; the amend
ment of immigration laws; the restoration
of railroad land grants to the public do
main. md the opening of surplus lands to
settlement; the reclamation of arid lands;
the enactment of laws to prevent dealing
in futures, and commends the secretary of
agriculture for his efforts toward removing
restrictions on our foreign meat trade.
The report endorses a deep water harbor
at Galveston: favors the construction of a
ship canal connecting the northern lakes
with the Atlantic; declares it to be the
Judgment of the congress that the Mlssiss-
ippi river can and should be made navjgaole
for cceRn steamers for a considerable dis
tance above New O leans, and recommends
the construction Of leyees from st. Paul to
tn gulf: ,ecommends q system of canals
and slack water navigation to connect the
waters of tn, Tennessee with the Gulf of
hfr~sno, n n r1J~ a1o n i VA ft, hnnl
waters of the Ohio to Lake Erie. and from
Lake superior to the Mississippi river; ia
vors the construction of the Nicaragua Ca
nal as a distinctively American work, IN
der American control: favors the prohibi-
tion of nonresident alien ownership of
lands, and recommends the admission of
New Mexico and Arizona to the union. In
conclusion, the report halls with delight
the spirit of fraternity displayed by the
delegates in attendance. The minority re-
port was identical, except in regard to sill
yer and the tariff.
limited coinage OF American gold and sill
yer on q ratio established by an interna-
tional monetary convention, which shall
make silver and gold equal in purchasing
power; favors q tariff for revenue with in
cidental protection. The free coinage and
tariff resolutions of both reports we're re-
ceived with applause, as was also that rela-
tive to the immigration law. A resolution
for the burial of all animositiss between
the north and the south was received with
tremendous applause, and upon motion of
Major Warer, of Missouri, was given three
hearty cheers.
E. V. Smalley spoke for the minority
silver resolution. Gen. Warner. of Ohio, re-
plying. The silver clause of the minority
report was then voted down. The minority
tariff resolution WAS then taken up, and
Smalley presented the minority's case. He
said Ihnfa had hpan too mnnh pp1jtjac in
the committee. When he accepted the
craftsmanship he did not expect the demo-
Gratis would crowd their party platform
dow his throat. He claimed, by inference.
that the convention had been packed
party, and that the congress was
really being held for the pu pose of weld
ing together the democrats and Farmers
alliance. Speaker Niblack, of the Indiana
legislature, denied that there had been any
partisan discussion in the committee, and
Congressman-elect Bryan, of Nebraska,
wanted the congress to have the courage of
its convictions. Debate was participated
in by others and became very acrimonious.
Finally Gen. Warner, of Ohio, submitted
the following as q substitute for the tariff
resolutions of both reports: I'VE favor
neither free trade nor the exclusion of
trade, but favor a tariff for revenue limited
to the actual needs Of the government
economically administered, but so levied as
to cover the differences in industrial condi-
tions of this and other countries, but not to
create inc foster monopolies.'' After long
debate President Francis ruled the resolu-
ton out of order. Gridley, of Minnesota,
then offered a substitute for the minority
report similar to Warmers and it was
adopted. The minority report by a Cali
fernia delegate also failed. 1t was: 1--WE
object to the free coinage of silver
on the ground that the taxpayers of the
United States are now buying all of the sill
YER output at 81 cents per ounce, whereas it
is claimed that free coinage will raise the
price of Sis per ounce. We see no nse in
the taxpayers advancing silver. We recon-
mend the purchase of the silver output of
the United States used for money, at the
lowest bidders price. just as the govern
ment now buys any other article it needs.''
Debate on the minority report as a whole
was begun and the discussion again as
sumed violent form. Aminority member of
the comittee charged the congress with being
nothing but a democratic convention. The
charges caused a great tumult. Finally
representatives of the Business Mems
union of st. Paul withdrew from the con
vention. The minority report was then
voted down. The consideration of the ma
jority report was proceeded with and de-
bate again became intensely partisan and
heated. Finally a vote was taken by call
of states on the adoption of the majority
report and it was adopted sixty-six to nifty
five, all of the state delegations being
divided upon the question. The resolutions
as a whole were adopted.
Smalley, of Minneapolis, then said as it