Omaha daily bee., 1891-04-18
ALMOST BRTKE UP IN A ROW,
Heated Discussion in the Comm ,rcial
Congress Over the Resolutions,
CHARGES Off, PARTlSANSHlp MADE.
AIleg 'tions That the Democratic
Delegates Were Trying to Run
the Convention in the
Interest of That Party.


lect being Transportation and Improvement
OF waterways, Lakes, Cuffs and Pacific
Ports"
S. A. Thompson, secretary of the COM
merclal club of Duluth, Mimi, advocated the
Improvement of waterways as affording TIE
cheapest transportation.
Colonel Catchings of Mississippi argued
that the increase In the water traffic, how
ever great would not decrease the railroad
business but would rather increase it.
j. II. Murphy of Iowa spoke on the Henne-
pin canal He explained in long speech the
benefits which would result from its con-
structon and said he had no doubt it would
be quilt If the government could be brought
to see its Importance,
Colonel a. G. Fisk of Denver delivered an
address on "lrrigation." It was estimated
that there are 100O,O00 square miles of
that could be made productive
by irrigation. At the minimum
price of public lands, 81 25 per acre, this land
had a value of SS0O,UOO,OOO. At $50 per acre,
a moderate estimate of value when irrigated,
they would be worth $4,000, 0OO,OOO If
these lands were properly provided with
water orc could scarcely contemplate what
an empire OF population and wealth they
would contain. 1t was said the people of the
regions that desire irrigation should provide
~ lucHlSclNCS. without agriculture the
lands would never be settled and there would
be no people to provide irrigation. The GOV
ernment should start the work.
Mr. Nicklitfe of New Orleans spoke upon
lmmlgratlon and Settlement of Vacant
Lands' from an extract from "America for
Americans" He had been told, he said.
that this land is broad enough for all, but he
submitted that the old world has made it tho
dumping ground for paupers and the criminal
classes, and he believed he spoke for the
n 40 !, i Al
tllne mas come that it must stop There is
enough room for all who want to come here
10 be oil use, but not foot of ground for one
OF those paupers and criminals of the old
world. II may feel deeply upon the sub
ject," added Wickiffe, ''but / have lately
come from most terrible object lesson,
which clearly indicates the need of a change
OF our immigration laws.n He argued for
vigorous action by the national congress.
The majority report of the committee on
resolutions, made today, favors free coinage
OF silver and the issuance of sufficient
amount OF legal tender notes, redeemable in
both gold and silver, to restore the equill-
brlum between money and all other products:
a tariff for revenue only; that the interstate
commerce of the country should be controlled
by the general government; favors the i'm
provement of the Mississippi river: con-
structlon of the Hennepin canal and other
waterways by the government; equalization
or taxation; national bankrupt law; suppress
olOu VI JtuStS anu COUDl0OS, amendment OF
the immigration laws; restoration of railroad
lana grants to the public domain and the
opening OF surplus lands to settlements
reclamation of arid lands; enactment of laws
TO prevent dealing in futures, and
commends the secretary of agrimlture
for his efforts toward removing the re-
strctions of our, foreign s1meat trade,
endorses deep water harbor at Galveston
favors the construction of a ship canal CON
Meeting the northern lakes with the Atlantic
~ VOC thzA i,,Igr
gress that the Mississippi riverqcan and
should be made navigable for ocean steamers
for considerable 0ktance above New Or
leans, and recommends the construction of
levees from st. Paul to tho gulf; recon-
mendS system of canals and slack water
navigation to connect the water of the Ten
nessee with the Gulf of Mexico: also shin
canal from the headwaters of the Ohio to Lake
Erie and from Lake Superior to the Miss
issippl river; favors the construction
of the Nicaragua canal as distinctly Amer
lean work under American control; fayors
the prohibition of nonresident alien owner
ship of lands; 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 report was identical except |
in regard to silver and the tariff.
The free coinage and tariff resolutions of |
both reports were received with applause, as |
law. |
A resolution, which was hailed with de- |
lighc-the burial of all animositIes between |
the north and sOuth-received tremendous |
applause and, upon motion OF Major Warner |
OF Missouri was given three hearty cheers.
H. V. Smalley spoke for the minority silver |
resolution, General Warner of Ohio replying. |
The silver clause of the minority report was |
then voted down.
The minority tariff resolutions were then |
taken Smai1nv tnt MT,
ority's case. He said there had been too |
much politics in the committee. w hen he |
accepted the craftsmanship ne did not expect |
the democrats would crowd their party plat
form down his throat He claimed by in
ference, that the convention had been packed !
in the interest of the democrat party and that
the congress was really being held for the
purpose of welding together the democrats
and the farmers alliance.
Speaker Nlblock of the Indiana legislature, |
denied that there had been partisan discus
sion in the committee, and Congressman elect
Bryan OF Nebraska wanted the congress to
nave the courage of It's convictions. The
debate was participated IN by many others
and became very acrimonious
Finally General Warner of Ohio submit
ted the following as a substitute for the tariff
resolutions of both reports 1--WE favor
neither free trade nor exclusion of trade, but
favor tariff for revenue limited to the
actual needs OF the government, economically
but so levied as to cover the
differences in industrial conditions between
this and other countries, but not to create
and foster monOpolies."
After long debate President Francis
ruled the resolution out of order.
Gridley OF Minnesota then offered a subSti-
tute for the minority, similar to Warmers
and it was adopted
Debate on the minority report as n whole
was begun and the discussion again assumed
a violent form. UtI
A minority member of the committee
charged the congress with being nothing but
a democratic convention
The charges caused q great tumult. Fin
ally the representatives of the business union
)t st, Paul Withdrew from the convention.
The minority report was then voted down.
"A minority report,by a California delegate
also failed. 1t was 81 ave object to the free
coinage of silver on the ground that the tax
payers OF the United States are now buying
all of the silver output at about " cents per
ounce, whereas it is claimed that free coinage
Will raise the prloe TO Sl.29 per ounce. We
see no use OF the taxpayers advancing the
price of an article against themselves for the
benefit OF the few that own the silver. We
recommend the purchase of the silver output
of the United States for money use at the
owest bidders price, just as the government
low buys any other article 1t needs.n
Consideration Of the majority report was
proceeded with and The debate again became
partisan and heated.
FINALLY vote was taken by call OF the