The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-16
TnE LAkE WASHINGTON CANAL
Irans- -Mississippf Congress Fnvors Its
Constraction hv tho Gaxerament

SoHstfaCAoa Nv tU6 euNeFnmeHt
sAs FgAscrsco. Feb. iS-The session of
the trans-Mississippi congress this morn
Ing was not quiet one. The committee
on resolutions vas 20 have made 4 general
report. bur instead OF doing so it pre-
seEtsd the following resolutiSn:
"NHExEas. This convention is rerre-
sentative OF all political parties. and the
discussion OF purely partisan subjects
would tend 10 weaken It's unity and the
influence OF its action without ser wing any
useful purpose: therefore be il
Rssolved. That il is the sense of this con-
gress that II IS ,nexpedicnt that formal
action should os taken by the body upon
any purely partisan question.
The introduction of this resolution
caused division in the convention. A
number OF the members stated that il the
congress decided upon any questions which
affected their political party they would
not abide by its decision. Others ex-
pressed opposite views. and, after a run
ming debate OF an hour or two, the resolu-
ton was laid on the table.
The convention elected Harry B. Whit
tcmore. OF Missouri. president and q
number OF vice president. 81. Louis was
selected as the place of the next conven-
uon- The report of the committee on res-
buttons vas tEen received and the follow
ing resolutions submitted:
Memorializing congress for such appro-
pria;ions Tor Improvement of the rivers of
California as will permit hydraulic mining
TO be prosecuted without hindrance to-
navigation. Adopted.
Recommending passage Of the Caminetti
Dill tor Improvement of the nayigabie
rivers of California under the special con-
tract system. Adopted.
Memorial'zlng congress Tor liberal and
sufficient appropriations for the improve
msnt OF rivers and harhors in the state of
Washington. including the Columbia river,
Olympia harbor. and for building a snip
canal connecting Lakes Washington aud
Union with Puget sound. Adopted.
Memoria!izing congress to push TO
SPEEDY completion the improvements now
under way on the Columbia river;
adopted.
Memorializing congress for liberal ap-
preparation for completion of the improve
ment OF Oakland harbor, aud that Oakland
be made port of delivery.
Memorlaiizlng congress for an appro-
pFiation Tor the improvement OF Port Hsr-
ford TO meet commercial demands and
afford harbor Of refuge for deep sea ves-
sells; adopted.
, Acknowledging congress for appropria-
tions for permanent and complete i'm
provement of the Mississippi river, from
its source to the ietties; adopted.
resolution was also adopted memori-
alxing congress for appropriations for
adequate coast defenses Gu Puget sound,
and requesting that one or more war ves-
sells DO stationed there.
The most spirited debate of the session
then followed on the Nicaragua canal
question. The committee on resolutions
reported q memorial asking for the prompt
construction of the Nicaragua canal under
such conditions as were provided
in the Morgan bill or under any
other measure that will insure to
United States the speedy compilation
OF the enterprise. Tnis resolution
was the one favored by Capt. w. L. Merry,
delegate who is o stakeholder in the
present canal company. w. ]. Thompson.
Of San Francisco, moved that tbs clause
referring to the Morgan bill be stricken
out aud the insertion of the following
words: "That such canal be constructed,
owned and operated by the United States
without the Intervention of any private
corporation" The convention was unable
To reach an agreement. and the matter
went over till tomorrow.
The special committee appointed to con-
slider the silver question reported resoiu-
ton demanding the reopening of the
United States mints for the coinage of
silver as they are now open TO the coinage
of gold, at the ratio of 10 to /. The read
ing of the resolution was the signal tor
tremendous applause. IL was agreed that
a vote should be taken on the silver ques-
ton tomorrow.
Hugh Craig. of the San Francisco Cham
Der OF Commerce made an address in favor
OF annexation of the Hawaiian islands and
construction OF Pacific cable.
Delegate Leete, OF Nevada, also spoke In
favor o. the unlimited coinage OF silver.
The convention adjourned till tomorrow
morning.