Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-05-23
Forenoon Devoted to Discussion
on the Majority Report.
SILVER QUESTION DISCUSSED.
The Ceding of Arid Lands to States and
Territories Warmly Debated.
The Work of Texas DeIegation-Basis of
Representation to Future Congresses
Agreed Upon Much Good
Work Accomplished

DENVER. Col, May a2.-The report of
the committee on resolutions of the Trans
Mississippi congress, which was made last
night, recommends that congress pass the
Burroughs Dill, approprlating Sl0.0Oo,0O0
for the building and maintaining OF leveeS
on the Mississippi river demands wise
governmental supervision of railroads,
recommends the granting of liberal charters
and subsidies TO support the establishment
OF steamship lines to sail under American
flags, favors the admission of New Mexico
and Arizona into the Union, asks congress
to pass the TORY bankruptcy law. requests
congress to cede to different states all arid
lands within its borders except mineral
lands, that such may be put under cult
walton by means of irrigation, earnestly
asks congress TO enact such legislation as
will foster our mining interests. and forever
prevent our mines and mineral lands. bear
ing gold, silver, copper, or lead from becom-
ing the property of those corporations under
their grants, recommends more stringent
naturalization laws, favors the immediate
construction of the Hennepin canal, immed
late completion of the jetties for deep
water harbor at Galveston,
TIRE SILVER QUESTION.
Upon the silver question Il asks:
Resolved, that the congress of the United
States be petitioned to repeal all laws
which in their effect, work dishonor upon
or in the least challenges the sovereignty Of
the silver dollar as an absolute measure of
value, and to restore 10 silver the place
given it as perfect money by the trainers of
our government.
>. That the only modification OF the above
which we will accept is the limiting of the
operation of the law to the silver product of
the United States. and this we will accept,
believing it will be but a change of method
which will reach at once the same desired
result.
8. That we petition the president and
congress of the United States TO once more
attempt to bring about an international
recognition and adjustment of silver as
money. and should this effort fail that a
limited agreement be sought with the ma
lions of the Latin-union whereby the
mlntS OF those nations may again be opened
for the coinage of silver.
4. That we petition the president and
Congress to continue and if possible COM
plete negotiations with the Spanish-Ameri-
can nations for common currency for this
continent south of the Dominion.
The minority report on the silver clause
was simply demand for free and I'M
limited coinage of silver"
The forenoon session to-day was entirely
taken in the discussion of the majority re-
port, and in the afternoon congress took a
recess without having taken final action.
THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY
was spent in consideration of the resolu-
tons All We're passed as reported by the
committee. but a warm debate was pro-
voked by the question of the government
ceding arid lands to states and territories.
A conclusion was reached Just before adj
journment.
Texas offered resolution indorsing the
Columbian exposition in Chicago. extend
ing congratulations to the managers for
work this far done. The regular order of
business was taken. with resolution de-
ploring the enaction of law by the Forty
ninth congress prohibiting foreign capital
from investing in real estate and mines.
Adopted.
1t was agreed that the basis of repre-
sentation to all future congresses shall be
as follows: Each state and territory. five
delegates at large, one for every 100, 900 and
major fraction thereof, each Board of Trade
ina cities of 5000 population, one for
every water-line operating on and west of
the Mississippi river, one for each agri-
cultural society, one for each county agri-
cultural association. that two conventions
year in spring and fall be held, land that the
next convention after the session in Omaha
be held in New Orleans.
Majority and minority reports on arid
lands were read.
y THE MINORITY REPORT
on arid lands was read. Argument in favor
OF the ceSsion of arid lands to states in
vidual purchases to 800 acres at not less
than 81. % per acre, and that only citizens of
the United States be liable as purchasers.
the funds derived from such sale to be de-
voted to the development, irrigation and
reclamation of arid lands.
The majority report was devoted to a
strong argument for system of govern
ment irrigation that would bring these
lands under cultivation. 1t also offered
substitute asking for the ceding of arid
mineral lsnds to respective states and
territories
Texas offered an amendment favoring
ceding arid lands to the states and terri
tories, providing that such lands be held
for the purpose of constituting and main
tanning permanent fund to be used for the
purpose of free public education.
After long debate, participated in by
Gun of Idaho, Hurley B. Moss of Col
orado, Judge Bedford of Colorado,
Senator Warren of Wyoming, the amend
ment offered by Texas was withdrawn,
and the substitute for the minority report
was lost.
The question required on the minority
report, which was defeated by a vast
majority.
Recess.