The record-union., 1892-06-03
Special to the RrcoRp-Ux1or.

ST. LOUIS, June 2.-Quietly, as became
the representative of the country's COM
mercial interests, the delegates from
twenty-five or more States and the
various commercial bodies of the Union
gathered this morning in Entertainment
Hall of the Exposition building to open
its session of the Nicaragua Canal Con-
vention, inaugurated by the business
men of California, with only the stars
and stripes 10 relieve the severity of the
halls ornamentation as became so patri-
otic body.
The convention gathered at 1880
o'clock. The assembly was called 10
order by Marcus Bernheimer, Chairman
of the local Committee of Arrangements,
who, in a few well chosen words, well
coined the delegates and introduced Rev.
il. 4. Steinson, who invoked divine
blessing upon the gathering and work.
Without wasting time the convention
chose Ex-Governor h. .. Stanard OF st.
Louis temporary presiding officer. On
taking the chair Governor Stanard re-
turned thanks for the honor conferred,
not only on himself by his election, but
upon st. Louis by the selection Of the
city as the point of assembly. Referring
briefly to the advantages gained by saw
ing time and distance if the canal is con-
structed, he closed with a repetition Of his
thanks.
d. II. McAdam and J. c. Broadwell
were elected Secretaries. The usual
Committees. one for each State, on Gre
dentials, Permanent Organization and
Resolutions were ordered appointed.
Then Governor ID. r. Francis OF Missouri
welcomed the delegates TO the State, the
scene of the first National gathering in
the interest of shorter route TO The ports
of the Pacific. Referring to the objects
of the gathering, he declared the feasibil-
ity of the canals construction having
been determined, the only question re-
manning after the construction was con-
troll. That question was settled by the
Monroe doctrine enuuciated seventy
years ago. As to Government guarantee,
he declared the commercial interests OF
the Union should be actuating, the in
fuence OF the old cry that every applica-
tion for Government Endorsement was
actuated by sordid motives scarcely being
compatible with the intelligence and
patriotism OF as representative body as
the one now assembled.
At the close of Governor Francis adj
dress, Hon. NJ. NJ. Estee of California
was called upon and explained the pur-
poses and objects of the gathering, as
follows:
''Ge3,t{emen: On the Goth of March,
1892, the State Nicaragua Canal Conven-
ton held in San Francisco was numer-
ously attended and voiced the wishes of
the people of the far West by adopting a
resolution calling this convention TO meet
here to-day, and requesting the Govern
Ors of various States to appoint delegates
thereto. We came here for council; we
have no previously conceived plans
which we would unduly urge upon your
attention. We do know the Nicara-
qua Canal should be built, and will give
some reasons which inspired our action.
First, we believe the building of a ship
canal uniting the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans possible. Second, the American
people should build it and the American
Government control it.'
Estee then detailed atlength the reasons
for his belief i'll the feasibility OF the
scheme. He said Il lair estimate of its
cost was but a little over $S7, 100000. The
canal, he said, would shorten the dis
tance from ocean to ocean about 10000
miles. He argued with regard to the sec
ond reason. If not built by Americans
the canal would be built by foreigners. bv
people inimical to American interests,
and the best way to keep it under Ameri-
can control was to have Government con-
troll of it.
He spoke of the great benefit the canal
would be in time of war, enabling our
Government ships to reach the Pacific
Coast in a shorter time than they now
can do. The great commercial advant-
ages that would accrue to the whole couu-
try when the canal should be built were
dwelt upon at length, and the necessity
Tor Immediate action urged.
"Make the mouth of the Mississippi -
said he, with its twenty-five bordering
States and its Two hundred tributaries
and the million square miles of which it
is the outlet, ten thousand miles nearer
the Pacific Coast by boat and note the
h
productive industries of the country.
The increasing and cheapening of trans
pOrtation by sea will increase and
cheaper transportation by land. In this
age it is a necessity TO the producer that
his product be carried quickly to mark et
Transportation thu becomes source OF
success. 1t is necessary TO the consumer
that what he consumes be brought to
him in the shortest possible time and for
the least amount of money.
THE United States never can produce
teas, coffee, India-rubber, dye stutis, rare
woods and other articles required by our
people. We will always look to foreign
articles must be brought 10 us by sea.
This being so, our success VIII largely
depend upon the question of time in
transporting them by water II time,
distance and money can be saved Ey
making a canal across the ISthmuS of
under the control of our Government,
because the whole people need it. Then
this vast producing region known as the
Great West, including the valley of the
Mississippi, instead of being isolated
from the trade centerS of the world, will
occupy a central position between the
countries OF Asia and the rich and popu-
lous portion OF Western Europe
In conclusion Estee said: ''Think of
what this canal would accomplish It
would shorten the distance by sea from
the Paclnc side of our country to the Gulf
and Atlantic States about 10000 miles.
1t would Increase the trade Of the Pacific
with the Atlantic side of the continent.
1T would build mp our markets in all the
Asiatic countries. Its construction would
bring into our country the commerce of
the Pacific islands, now largely con-
trolled by Great Britain. 1t would make
New York and New Orleans 1000 miles
nearer \ okohama than Liverpool by the
SueZ Canal. The importance ofthis trade
so secured may be noted when il is
known that the foreign commerce of the
countries fronting on the Pacific Ocean
amounts to more than 81 .U0O. .OO0.OG an
nually. and the actual annual tonnage
from these vast regions which would pass
through the Nicaragua Canal would ex-
oeed s, SEQ 0G0: that more than 400, 900. COO
of people would be the direct patrons OF
this intercontinental waterway; that
,Japan would be one of our best cotton
markets. II would furnish the great
States bordering on the Atlantic seaboard
an incentive tor better investment of cap
ital and more remuneratiTe rewards for
labor. II would vitaliZe the flagging in
dEstries OF the great West. IN time it
would make New York the center of the
monetary exchanges of the Western
World, which is now controlled by Lon
con, and il would Americanlze all amer