The record-union., 1894-02-14
WESTERN INTERESTS
Opening of the Transmississippi
Congress at San Francisco.
JUDGE SEARLS WELCOMES TIL
DELEGATES TO THE STATE.
Glowing Tribute Paid to California by
Governor Prince of New Mexico
Important Subjects Which VIII be
Discussed and Acted Upon During
the Sessions of the Convention.
Sneeial to the REcoRp-UNIoN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
| SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. l3.-The Trans
mississippi Congress opened at little
/ after 10 o'clock this morning. Golden
| Gate Hall, where the congress convened.
was elaborately decorated with bunting.
Shields bearing the coat-oi-arms OF the
different States were among the decora-
tions. Large crowds filled the galleries.
! President Mcconnell called the con-
vention to order, ana in brief address
stated the object of the gathering, III
which he said that it was not to be for
gotten that the West was Il part of the
great Union, and the interests of the
whole nation must be considered as we'll
as those of the West.
! Judge Niles Searls was the next speaker,
he having been chosen in tie absence of
Governor Markham TO deliver the ad-
dress of welcome on behalf of the State.
To say that the speakers eloquence
aroused the greatest enthusiasm and was
deeply appreciated is only a fair compli-
ment TO the learned Jurist.
! Mayor Eliert, representing the NUM-
! cipaliLy of San Francisco, followed Judge
I
! gress, and then Governor Prince OF New
| Mexico was chosen TO reply tor the con-
/ gress to the greetings just extended. lie
! paid glowing tribute to California, first
| briefly reviewing the history of the State
then praising its many industries. ana
| drawing a most hattering comparison
with Industries and products OF other
/ States.
! The convention then settled down TO
business, and the following Committee on
| Credentials, representing delegates from
the different States, was selected:
Arizona, G. l.. Bruner; Colorado, Geo.
! Eggers; California, j. II. Nen; Iowa,
| Herbert d. Weyman; Washington. Geo.
! Lauman; Idaho, j. a. Finch: Kansas, j..
! +. Taylor; Louisiana, w. +. Mills; Mon
tana. a. X. Johnson; Missouri, NJ. l..
! Gray OF ST. Louis; South Dak ota, G. A.
/ Foster: Utah, W. III. Calmer; Nevada, b.
/ il. Remus; Nebraska, James Stevens Of
/ Omaha; Oregon, Milton q. Butterheld;
/ Wyoming, Miss Estelle Reed.
After the report of the Credentials Com
mittee had been received it was agreed
| that the delegations from each State be
allowed to name four members on each
committee. in case the representation Of
any State did not permit four delegates
/ each, the committee was agreed that the
committeeman named could cast four
/ votes Tor the State. The roll returned by
the Credentials Committee was then read
! and various committees announced.
! 4 spirited debate followed motion by
/ ex-Governor Prince Of New Mexico that
all resolutions involving expression of
opinion by the congress be read by the
| Secretary on introduction and then re-
! ferred TO the Committee on Resolutions
without debate NJ. NJ. Estee OF Califor-
MIA led the debate against the proposed
rule. The resolution finally prevailed by
big majority vote.
An avalanche of resolutions followed,
several favoring free silver coinage
Other resolutions related to mineral
| lands within the limits of railroad land
grants favoring absolute Government
| control Of the Nicaragua Canal and de-
mandng the admission of New Mexico
to Statehood.
A resolution by Ex-Governor Prince of
| New Mexico, favoring the annexation OF
Hawaii, and declaring that any attempt
at restoration Of the arbitrary Govern
ment of the exQueen is repugnant to
! American principles, was loudly cheered.
Ali the resolutions were read and re-
ferred.
At the evening session the Congress
agreed, on motion of the Chairman Of the
Committee on Resolutions, that no reso-
lutlons committing the Congress on any
matter of policy be received after noon
tomorrow, except by consent OF a ma
iority of the members.
The Congress then listened to an ad-
dress by Captain w. l.. Merry of San
Francisco on the subject of the Nicaragua
Canal. The speech was based upon res
olution recently agreed to by the Califor-
MIA delegation, and to be presented TO the
convention tomorrow morning. The
resolution is in the form of a memorial
| to Congress asking the prompt cOnStruc-
ton of the canal by the United States
| Government, with provisions for subse-
quent management under the control of
the United States. The speaker, who
| is personally interested as a stock holder
in the canal company, declared that
the plans of the present Admin
slration for the construction of
/ the canal by private corporation, with
adequate protection for United States IN
terests, were certainly commendable. He
declared that the bill now before Con-
! gress, which provides that the Govern
inent shall own and control seven-tenths
of the stock Of the company, and have
power to appoint ten of the fifteen direc-
tors of the corporation, certainly afforded
this desired protection. At the same time,
! he said, the plan appeared TO be accept
able to the canal company. He declared
! too that the concession to this present
corporation should never be allowed to
| lapse. He was in possession of positive
|
stood ready to step in and secure control
of the enterprise the moment the oppor-
tunity offered.
w. j, Manson of San Francisco spoke
in favor of the construction and absolute
control of the canal by the United States
Government. He agreed with Chief JUS
! tice Marshal, who once declared that he
objected to the United States Government
going into partnership with any private
corporation. Manson declared that the
present company had been in existence
since 1889, and now, when it had become
apparent that the company could do
! nothing, the Government was asked to
| hack it up.
Governor Mcconnell of Idaho followed.
| He desired to admonlsh the people as to
| the great danger OF putting into the
| hands of any private corporation any
| grand highway of traffic, whether it be
| railroad or canal. He said the United
States Government should build, own
said, ''that we can't fight the conditions
which confront US. The thunder we
I can't; we can and will. Simply because
President Cleveland or Senator Morgan
| do not believe in il, are the people TO
give up this great enterprise? l say no.
Cleveland and Morgan never believe in
anything that is to our interest-if they
have we have never heard of it, Gov
ernor Mcconnell declared that the people
would build and own a waterway be-
! tween the two great oceans if they have
were emphasized by the convention with
three rousing cheers and tiger.
The convention then adjourned till 10
o'clock to-morning morning.
A Smuogler Sentenced.