The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-25
The Empire This Side Of the Mis-
sissippi Represented at 0g-
den's Congress.
Local interests Peculiar to Sec.
tions, Free Silver Demanded
by Them ALL
That Subject Will Be tho Chief Ono for
Observation-Disclosures OF the Open
Ing Day

OGDEN, Utah, April 24.-The Transmits
| sissippi Commercial congress opened In this
city to-day. Previous to the meeting tho
reception committee met various deleea-
tions from the east. west and south. The
stars and stripes floated from every build
ing that could boast OF q pole. Bunting
and streamers in profusion decorated both
business and private houses. In fact The
whole city presented holiday appearance.
Tbs weather was chilly but dry. and could
could not be said to be uncomfortable.
Gov. Prince, of New Mexico. called the
congress to order promptly at IL q. m. in
the Grand opera house. He spoke briefly.
congratulatinR the congress on the magnih-
cent representation, not only in numbers.
but in the truly representative character OF
the delegations; referred to the subject Of
arid lands, irrigation. harbor Improvements
and free silver. Each vas ehssrsd in turn
by tho localities interested, but free silver
brought storm of applause from every
part Of the convention. making it evident
that silver would occupy the greater part of
the convention's time.
Gov. Thomas Of Utah. being delayed by
a railroad accident, Col. w. H. Harvey. of
Ogden, made an addreEs of welcome and
was followed by Mayor Lundy. in behalf of
the city OF Ogden. Gov. Mcconnell. of
Idaho. replied to the address of welcome.
He EXPRESSED the belief that the congress
would be enabled to impress the nation
with the Importance Of restoring silver to
its former place as the money of the people.
[Applauso.]
In appointing the committee on creden-
tals 1t was found that all of tho twenty
two transmississippi states were repre-
/ sented except Minnesota and Louisiana,
whose delegates have not yet arrived.
The congress then took recess until after
noon.
At the afternoon session all the delegates
were present except Minnesota. Al. ID.
Graft. OF Los Angeles on behalf of the la
dies Of that city, presented the congress
with enough boutonnieres to supply each
delegate. Pending the report of the COM
mittes on credentials q delegate from Utah
presented a resolution regarding the pro-
pc tion of public land to fall to the agri-
cultural college of Utah. Referred. A let
| ter was then read from Congroasman Bryan,
of Nebraska, in which he expressed the
opinion that the agricultural or wheat
growing states had suffered mora from the
fall in the value of silver than had tho min
ing states.
letter was read from Gov. Pennoyer. of
Oregon. Among other things he said:
"Ihe whole history of the world does not
furnish a crime equal in atrocity to the de-
monetization of silver. Against this orime
| the Transmississippi cong ess should make
formal demand for the restoration of sill
| ver.''
Gov. Stone of Missouri. in explaining his
ABSENCE expressed the orinion that the
rolicy Of sectional conventions and con-
crosses is open to criticism, but he had no
patience to hear such criticism from the
people of the northeastern states. They
had only themselves to blame for the con-
dttion that compelled the states Of the
| south and west to combine.
Mr.. Wilson. of the First National bank of
Mexico Mo-, in his letter wrote: 1.-The
ruthless kings of Spain robbed their Amer
ican provinces openly and with no apparent
compunctions Of conscience, but their sue
cessots, the Rothsohilds, have plundered
this county as effeotuslly."
The question of proxies was brought up
BY DR.. Briggs. OF California, and elected
long and warm debate as the credential
committee came in to report. The report,
however, was accepted.
The total number of delegates present is
10 430. with more arriving on every train.
Committees on permanent organization,
order Of business. and resolutions were APP
pointed by the delegations and recess
taken.