The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-06-03
NICARAGUA CANAL.
The First Days Session of the
Convention.
The Objects of the Meeting ExpIained-After
Appointing Committees adjournment
Is Taken Till Tomorrow.

Sr. LOUIS, June 2.-Quietly, as became
representatives of the country's CONNER
cial interests, delegates from twenty-five
or more states and various commercial
bodies Of the union gathered this morning
in Entertainment hail. exposition building,
to open the first session of the Nicaragua
Canal convention, inaugurated by the bust
ness men of California.
With only the stars and stripes to re-
lieve the severity Of the halls ornamental
ticn, as became so patriotic body, the
convention gathered at 10 so o'clock.
Before the assembly was called to order
by Marcus Bernheimer, the chairman Of
the local committee of arrangements, who
in few well. chosen words. welcomed the
delegates, introduced Reg H. A. Steinson,
AID invoked divine blessing upon the
gathering and work.
Without wasting time the convention
chose Ex-Governor E. o. Stanard of st.
Louis as 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 that city as
the point of assembly Referring briefly
to the advantages to be gained by the saw
ing of time and distance if the canal was
constructed, he closed with repetition of
his thanks.
d. H. McAdam and j. G. Broadw were
elected secretaries. The usual committees,
one from each state, on credentials, per-
mauent organization and resolutions, were
ordered appointed. Then Governor D. r.
Francis of Missouri, welcomed the dele
gates to the state and the scene of the first
national gathering in the interest of
shorter route to the ports of the Pacific.
Referring 10 the objects of the gathering,
ne declared that the feasibility of the
canals construction having been deter
mined, the only question remaining after
the construction was to control that Issue
settled by the Monroe doctrine and enun-
ciated seventy years ago.
AS to the government guarantee, he de-
clared the commercial interests of the
Union should be the actuating influence,
the old cry that every application for gov
eminent endorsement was actuated by sOr
did motives, scarcely being compatible
with the intelligence and patriotism of so
representative body as the one now as
sem bled.
At the close OF Governor Francis ad-
dress Hon. M. M. Estes of California was
called upon and explained the purposes and
objects of the gathering, which had its iu-
csption III MS state.
During a short recess preceding Estee's
remarks the various state delegations held
meetings and selected members of the vari-
Gus committees, and announced them.
At the conclusion of Estees address
Hon. w. Miller presented to the conven-
ton the history of the question, which he
said dated back a hundred years. He gave
in detail the various efforts made hereto
fore to secure route to the Pacific. After
touching on the financial subject he came
down 10 the interest the government should
have in the project, and said the company
had in no way sought government aid and
would not do so as long as he was presi-
dent, though not unwillingly it should, if
it takes proper control. 1t was far better
to gain it now peaceably than to fight for
| it 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 the bonds of the CON-
pany safe investment.
! The committees selected by the state
delegation were then read and the conven :
ton adjourned until $3.50 tomorrow morn
ing.