The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-14
THE WIDE AWAKE WEST
1t Does Not Propose to Get
Left Always.
If Brains and Enterprise Can
Avoid 1t.
LOng-Felt Wants That Must and
Will Be Filled.
A Congress of Transmississippi state
in Session in San Francisco for
the Promotion OF West-


SAN Francisco. Feb. 13.-The trans
mississippi congress opened q little
after 10 O'Clock this morning. Golden
Gate hall, where the congress convened,
ia deliberately decorated with bunting
and shields bearing the coats of arms Of
the different states represented. Large
crowds filed the galleries. President
Mcconnell called the convention to
order, and in brief address stated the
object OF the gathering, in which he said
that it was not to be forgotten that the
west was a part OF the great union and
that the interests of the whole nation
must be considered, as we'll as of the
west.
AT a caucus OF delegates held last
evening Judge Niles Searles YVES chosen
to make the address Of welcome on be-
half of the state. As President McCon-
nell closed he introduced Judge Searles,
and at the close of Searles' address
Mayor Ebert of San Francisco welcomed
the delegatee in behalf of the city.
The following subjects for discussion
we're under consideration by the COM
mittee on resolutions: San Diego har-
Dor; free coinage of silver; Insolvency,
| ldVOTluk Ill uuklOTm UdukIupbCy Dill
Nicaragua canal, fayoring the immediate
completion OF the canal; favoring an
appropriation for suitable postoffice at
San Francisco; favoring the employ
ment of representative officer at q fair
salary to act at Washington in the inter-
est OF the congress.
At IL 80 O'Clock the congress adj
/ journed to 2 p. M. During the recess
caucuses were held by the California,
| Colorado and Southern California dele
gations. There is not likely to be con-
test over the election of president.
Governor Mcconnell is not seeking re-
election, but would probably be willing
20 serve another term if the honor were
unanimously rendered him by the con-
gress. There is likely to be lively COM
petition for the permanent secretary
ship. President MeConnelre suggestion
this morning that the salary be made
something like $4,000 or $4,000 year, if
acted upon fsvorably, is likely to raise q
swarm of candidates. The plum will not
be allowed to fall TO any one without
lively scramble. But the leaders in the
congress are disposed to be exacting in
their requirements as to the quRlifica-
tions necessary tor the place, and excep-
tional and varied ability is needed to
discharge the duties of the position
creditably.
On reasaembling this afternoon the
congress received and adopted the report
OF the committee on credentials, COM
mittees on order OF business, resolutions,
and other matters were appointed and
the congress- awaited their reports.
After the report Of the credentials
committee had been received il was
agreed that the delegations from each
etate pe allowed to name four members
of each committee. In case the repre-
sentation of any state did not permit
four delegates on each committees, it
was agreed that the committeeman
named could cast fonr votes Tor the state.
The roll returned oy the credentisls
committee was then read ana the yari-
GUS committees then announced.
A spirited debate followeda motion by
ex Governor Prince OF New Mexico. that
all resolutions involving an expression
of opinion by the congress be- read by
the secretary on Introduction, and then
referred to the committee on resolutions
without debate M Nj. Estee OF Cali
fornia led the debate against the pro-
posed rule. The resolution finally pre-
vailed by big majority vots.
An avalanche OF resolutions followed,
several favoring free silver coinage;
other resolutions relating to mineral
lands within the limits OF railroad land
grants; another iavoring absolute gov
| eminent control OF the Nicaragua canal;
another demanding the admission of
New Mexico to statehood.
A resolution by Ex-Governor Prince of
New Mexico iavoring the annexation OF
: Hawaii and declaring any attempt at
/ the restoration of the arbitrary govern
ment OF the ex-queen IS repugnant to
! American principles, was loudly
: Cheered.
Another resolution by Delegate Lloyd
demands the foreclosure OF the govern
ment mortgages on the Central and
/ Union Pacific railways and favoring
/ government control of these properties
All the resolutions were read and re-
ferred.
At the evening session of the con-
gress it was agreed, on motion OF the
chairman of the COMMITTEES on resoin-
tions, that no resolutions committlns
the congress on any matter OF policy
! shall be received after noon tomorrow,
excepting on consent of the majority OF
the mem bers.
The congress then listened to an adj
dress by Capt. w. l.. Merry OF San Fran
cisco on the subject of the Nicaragua
! canal. His speech was based upon
, resolution recently agreed to by ttie
California delegation and to be preseatsd
to the convention tomorrow morning.
The resolution is in the form oil memo
rial to congress-, asking the prompt con.
. struction OF the canal by the United
. States government. with provisions for
!. it's subsequent management under
United States control.
d The speaker, who is personally inter
b ested as stockholder iii the canal COM
: pany, declared the plans Of the present
4 administration for the construction Of
the canal by private corporation, with
adequate protection OF the United
States interests, were certainly COM
y mendabe. He declared the bill nov
before congress, which provides that