The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1893-06-10
FOR RECIPROCITY.
SECOND INTERNATIONAL CON.
vENTION MEETS

ST. PAUL, June 5.--The second inter-
national reciprocity convention began
in the big auditorium at 2 D. m. Mon
day. About 900 delegates attended the
opening session, and from lists given to
the secretaries, it is certain that nearly
1,0U0 delegates will attend the sessions
after Monday. The first meeting was
opened by E. v. Smalley. chairman of
the local executive committee. Mayor
Wright welcomed the delegates and Wis
itors to st. Paul. Ex-Governor Burke
performed a like Office on behalf of the
convention, speaking as follows:
President Burke's Address.
Gentlemen of the Convention: In meet
ing this convention for the second time,
Sake pleasure in congratrlating you upon
the splendid gathering, the numbers and
personnel of which will do much to fur
ther the objects for which you are called
together.
The large number of gentlemen present
who met with us at our last convention as
sures me that there is no abatement in
Il
sure, which will continue until reciprocity
is an accomplished fact and until the inn
aginary lines which act as bars to much of
the trade and commerce which should
come to the Northwest, especially that
portion lying along the Canadian border,
shall cease to hinder the prosperity of
these new and vigorous commonwealth.
The objects of this convention of repre-
sentative citizens of several states and
provinces are well known. While many
of you may not agree with me as to the
benefits which the system of protection
has given to the Eastern sections of this
country, we are unit in the belief that
the doctrine of reciprocity, fairly applied,
will increase the material wealth of the
magnificent country which sends its repre-
sentatives here today.
Ex-Governor Burke iere. paid a trib-
ute to the memory of James G. Blaine,
whom he designated as the pioneer of
modern reciprocity. He then continued:
Never since history began have people
held such rich possessions as ours. There
is a diversity of interest and of productions
in the various sections which authorizes
the establishment of the most equitable
laws of trade which mortal man has ever
devised, and a friendly rivalry which can
be cemented in friendship and maintained
with profit of all concerned. For there is
a production which every section produces
of superior kind, without which no coun-
try can prosper, and failing the highest
development of which no country can
achieve the highest success. For the cul-
tivation of this product, climate and soil
and seed are all of the best, and the result
has fully justified the claims which some
of the more modest among us have made
concerning it, The product referred to is
men and women.
Not Begging FavOrs.
Reciprocity apostles do not come beg
ging for favors nor for advantages. They
ask, they demand that rights shall be ac-
corded them. We are not suppliants for
bounty, nor chasers after appropriations.
We purpose, however, that the things to
which we are justly entitled shall not be
withheld from us, and it is our intention
to persevere until the ends for which we
have striven and for which we are striving
shall have been accomplished.
The remainder of the address was de-
voted to assuring the Canadian dele
gates of the great pleasure their pres
ence gave.
When Ex- Governor Burke had fin
ished speaking. James Fisher, M p, of
Winnipeg, was called upon to address
the convention in behalf of the Cana
dian delegates. Mr.. Fisher was listened
to with great attention by the Amer
ican delegates, as they expected him to
give hint of the lines to be followed
by the Canadians during the conven-
tion. Referring to the treaty of 1854,
which worked satisfactory for decade.
and was abrogated solely by reason of a
mistake, as he asserted, arising out of
the American civil war, Mr.. Fisher
voiced the opinion that no lasting good
can be accomplished in the way of re.
ciprocal trade relations between the
United States and Canada unless that
treaty is restored or a wider and more
liberal one is secured.
Mayor Eustis of Minneapolis was
made temporary chairman of the con-
vention, with most enthusiastic ap-
proval, and when he was escorted TO
the platform by Mr.. Fisher of Winni-
peg and Mayor Wright of st. Paul, a
wave of applause rolled up from every
quarter of the immense building.
At the close of Mr.. Fishers speech
committees on permanent organization
and resolutions We're appointed and the
convention adjourned for theday. The
committee on resolutions consists of 26
members, Ii from each side of the
boundary line.