Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1893-05-01
rRANsM1ss1ss1PpI CONGRESS
It's Session Fraught With Interest to
the Entire Nation.

passed upon by the members of this
congress have in many instances been
of vital Importance to both the pres
ent welfare and future prosperity of a
large number of the States composing
this great Union and affecting in no
small degree the interests of the en-
tire nation, The proceedings of this
body during its recent session will
therefore be of unusual interest to the
public. The following are the more
important proceedings of the body
during its session, just closed;
After the congress had been formal
ly opened, the first subject taken up
for consideration was that of the
Nicaragua canal Leet of Colorado
opposed the construction of the canal
by the government, because it would
only contribute to the prosperity OF
Great Britain.
Irish of California argued that the
general prosperity of the world would
be so enhanced by the canal that ev-
cry part of this country would share
in It.
Gov. Waite wanted the canal abso-
lutely owned and controlled by the
country in the interest of the people.
Reyburn Of Idaho, spoke in favor Of
the canal
Cross of California opposed the
canal
Various others spoke for and
against the canal. Crawford of Texas
saying the profit on cotton that could
be sold in China and Japan would of
itself pay the interest on the bonds.
At the afternoon session resolutions
were adopted asking the directors Of
the Columbian exposition to set apart
day next September to he known as
'silver day." when addresses on the
question would be delivered and the
day otherwise appropriately spent.
A resolution offered demanding
that Congress Immediately open the
mints of the United States to the free
and unlimited coinage of both gold
and silver on equal terms, and that the
government use the coins OF both
metals without discrimination and
stating that this congress was unutter-
ably opposed to the repeal of the
Sherman silver purchase act until 1t Is
replaced with law providing for
such free and unlimited coinage,
caused much debate.
The silver resolution for free and
unlimited coinage, was then taken up
and passed.
Later il was called up by unanimous
consent, reconsidered, and then on
roll call passed again by an oyerwhel-
ming majority.
The committee on resolutions filed
their report. 1t embodied q memorial
to Congress, urging that work be
pushed OH the deep water harbor at
Galveston; that the harbor at Oakland
be completed; that the California
river and hydraulic mining enterprises
be hastened TO success; that q barbor
be constructed in Los Angeles; that
there be provided adequate fortifica-
tions at San Diego harbor; that the
improvements of the Mississippi and
Missouri rivers be not neglected; that
further river improvements be entered
upon at once on the Columbia, Arkan-
sas, Snake, Ceur d Alene and Koote-
mai that every encouragement be held
out to the beet sugar industry; that
the Geary law be enforced; and also
favoring the admission of Territories
? to the sisterhood Of States.
This report was adopted in its
entirety.
When the resolutions on the adj
missions Of New Mexico, Oklahoma
and Arizona as states were reached
they passed without objection, but the
suggestion..of Statehood for Utah drew
out the most intensely dramatic fighl
that has ever been witnessed before
such body Of men in the West, per
haps In the United States.
Judge Goodwin, of the Salt Lake
Tribune, Gov. Thomas Of Utah, Maj
Baskin of Salt Lake and Judge Heigh
burn of Idaho, brought out everything
in the past history of the Mormon
and arrayed 1t against the resolution
They admitted the honesty Of thu
MOrmons, hut claimed there the yer,
. danger in Statehood lays. Their hon
esty would forbid them TO abandon
polygamy.
After lengthy and at times abl'
and eloquent discussion on all sides o
the subject, the resolution was flually
L : 4 4 a a q a