The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-02-14
NATIONAL INTERESTS
Great Questions Under Dis
cuSsiOn in San Francisco.
TRANs-MIssIsslPPI CONGRESS
Governor Mcconnell Makes a Rous-
ing Speech on the Nicaragua
Canal Project.
TRANs-MIsslsslPPr CONGRESS
Associated Press.

San Francisco, Feb. 1S.-The Trans
Mississippi Congress opened this morn
ing. President w. ]. Mcconnell, gov
ernor Of Idaho, called the convention to
order and in a brief address stated the
object Of the gathering, in which he
said that 1t was not to be forgotten
that the west is a part of the great
Union, and that the interests of the
whole nation must be considered, as
well as those of the west. Judge Niles
Searles delivered an address of welcome
on behalf Of the state, and Mayor FL
lert, Of San Francisco, welcomed the
delegates in behalf of the city.
There Is not hkely to be contest
over the election of a president. Gov.
Mcconnell is not seeking reelection,
but would probably be willing to serve
another term If the honor were unani-
mously rendered him by the congress.
There is likely to be lively compete
tion. for the permanent secretaryship.
President McConnells suggestion this
morning that the salary be made some
thing like 81, 1000 or$5, 900 year, If acted
upon favorably, is likely to raise a
swarm of candidates.
On reassembling this afternoon a
spirited debate followed a motion by
ex-Gov. Prince, of New Mexico, that all
resolutions involving an 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 Cali
fornla, led the debate against the pro-
posed rule. The resolution finally pre-
vailed by big majority vote. An ava
lanche Of resolutions followed, several
favoring. free silver coinage. Other reso-
lutlons were: Relating to mineral lands
within the limits Of railroad land
grants; favoring absolute government
control of the Nicaragua canal; de-
mandlng the admission Of New Mexico
to statehood. A resolution by ex-Gov.
Prince, of New Mexico, favoring the
annexation of Hawaii and declaring any
attempt at the restoration of the ex-
queen repugnant to American principles
was loudly cheered. Another resolution,
by Delegate Lloyd, demands the fore
closure of government mortgages on
the Central and Union Pacific railways,
and favoring government control Of
these properties. All the resolutions
were read and referred,
At the evening session the congress
listened to an address by Capt. w. 4.
Merry, of San Francisco, on the subject
of the Nicaragua canal. The speech
was based upon the resolution recently
agreed to by the California delegation
and to be presented to the convention
tomorrow morning, A resolution in the
form Of memorial to congress asking
prompt construction of the canal by
the United States government, with pro-
visions for subsequent management un-
der United States control, was offered
Gov. Mcconnell said he desired to ad-
monish the people as to the great dan
ger Of putting into the hands of any
private corporation any grand highway
of traffic, whether 1t be railroad or a
canal The people Of California, he said,
for thirty years had suffered as re-
suit of such action. He said the United
States government should build, own
and control the canal I'VE are told,''
he said, that we can't fight the condi-
tions which confront us. The thunder
we can't. We can and viii. Simply be-
cause President Cleveland or Senator
Morgan did not believe In 1t, are the
people to give up this great enterprise +?
7 saw no. Cleveland and Morgan never
believe in anything that is to our in
terest. II they have, we have never
heard of It," Gov. Mcconnell declared
the people would build and own the
waterway between the two great oceans
II they have to fight for the privilege
His remarks were emphasized by the
convention with three rousing cheers
and a tiger.