The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-03

the advantages gained by saving time and
distance if the canal should be constructed
he closed with a repetition Of his thanks.
ID. Fl. McAdam aud j. c. Broadwell were
elected secretaries.
The usual committees, one for each State.
on credentials, permanent organization and
resolutions were ordered and appointed.
There being noted number of gentlemen
of national prominence iG the hall, by a vote
OF the convention. individual invitations to
them TO take seats on the platform were ex-
tended. Among these accepting were Gov
ernor Buchanan of Tennessee, eX-Speaker
Warren Keifer, Hon. Ambrose Snow, pres
ident of the New York Board OF Trade
and Transportation, and ex-senator War
ner Miller of New York, president OF the
Nicaragua Canal Company.
Governor ID. X. Francis of Missouri then
delivered an address of welcome on behalf
Of the State to the first national gathering
in the interests of a shorter route TO the
ports of the Pacific Coast.
At the close Of Governor Francis address
Hon. NJ. NJ. Estee of California was called
upon and explained the purposes and OBJ
iects Of the gathering, which had its incep-
ton in his State. Mr.. Eslee explained the
object of the convention, being meeting
for council to devise the most feasible plan
for inspiring faith in an enterprise of
American origin, to be built and controlled
solely by the American people.
Mr.. Estee then detailed at length the
reasons for his belief in the feasibility Of
the scheme, and said fair estimate of its
cost is not over SS7, ,C00,000. "The cana"
he said, would shorten the distance from
ocean to ocean about 10000 miles" He
argued with regard 10 the second reason
that II not built by Americans the canal
would be built by foreigners, by people
inimical 10 American interests and the best
way TO keep ii under American control was
to have the Government control it. He
spoke Of the great benefit the canal would
be 10 time OF war, enabling our Government
ships to reach the Pacific Coast in much
shorter time than they now can. The
great commercial advantages that would
accrue to the whole country when the canal
should be built were dwelt upon at length
and the necessity for immediate action was
urged.
In conclusion Mr. Estee said: Think of
what this canal would accomplish 1t
would shorten the distance by sea from the
Pacific side Of our country to the Gulf and
the Atlantic States about ,000 miles. 1t
would increase the trade of the Pacific with
the Atlantic side of the continent 1t would
build up our markets with all Asiatic con-
tinents. It's construction would bring into
our country the commerce OF the Pacific
islands, now largely controlled by Great
Britain. 1t would make New York and
New Orleans 2000 miles nearer Yo-
kOhama than Liverpool by the SueZ
Canal. The Importance OF this trade
so secured may be noted when it
Is known the foreign commerce of
countries fronting on the Pacific Ocean is
more than $1,000, 100000 annually. and the
actual annual tonnage from those vast
regions which would pass through the Mic
aragua canal would exceed S,50G000; that
more than four hundred millions OF people
would be direct patrons of this intercOnti-
mental waterway, and that Japan would be
one of our best cotton markets. 1t would
furnish the great States bOrderiOQ on the
Atlantic seabOard an incentive for better
investments for its capital in industries in
the great West, and in time it, would make
New 0rk the center Of the monetary eX-
changes Of the western world, which is
now controlled by London and ii would
AmericaniZe all America by making it COM
mercially independent"
Mr.. Estee's remarks were heartily ap-
plauded.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Estee's address
Hon. Warner Miller presented TO the con-
ventiOn the history of the canal question,
which, he said, dated back many years. He
gave In detail the various efforts heretofore
made to secure shorter route to the Pacific.
After touching on the financial question the
speaker came down to the interest that the
Government should have in the project, and
he said the company had in no way sought
Government aid and would not do so as
long as he was president. though lie was not
unwilling that it should If it takes proper
control of it, 1t is far better to gain it now
peacefully than TO fight for 1t later.
A number OF communications were read,
including expressions of Endorsement from
various Boards of Trade, including one from
the San Francisco Chamber Of Commerce,
declaring that the bonds Of the company
we're safe investment. The list of the
committees sele ted by the State delegations
was then read and the convention adjourned
till 9 80 clock Tomorrow morning.