The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-14

In Ses sion at San francisco-A Speech
for the Nicarayua canal.

THE WESTERN CONGRESS.
In Ses sion at San Francisco-A speech
for the Nicarayua Canal.
SAN Francisco, Feb. f3.-The trans
Mississippi congress met a little after 10
O'Clock this morning in Golden Gate hall.
which was elaborately decorated. Presi-
dent Mcconnell called the convention 10
order, and in . brief address stated the
object of the gathering. in which he said il
was not to be forgotten that the West was
part OF the great Union. and that the
interests of the wncle nation must Be con-
sidered ~ we'll as of the West. Judge
SearIes welcomed the delegates on behalf
of the state and Mayor Eller. on behalf of
the city. After the credentials committee
had reported it was agreed that the dele
CATION from each state should be allowed
u namc4our members OF each committee.
In case the representation of any state did
not permit four delegates on each commit
tee. IL Was agreed that the committeeman
named could cast four votes for the atate
The various committees were then an
nouuced.
A spirited debate followed motion by
ex-Gov. Prince, of New Mexico, that ali
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. M. Estee. of Cali
fornia. led the debate against the pro-
posed rule. The resolution finally
prevailed by big majority vote. An
avalanche Of resolutions followed, several
favoring free silver coinage. Other reso-
lutions relate to mineral lands within the
limits of railroad land grants. another
fayors absolute government control of the
Nicaragua canal. and another demands
admission of New Mexico TO statehood.
A resolution by ex-Gov Prince, of New
Mexico, fayoring annexation of Hawaii
and declaring that any attempt at restora-
tion of the arbitrary government of the
ex-queen Is repugnant TO American prin-
ciples. was loudly cheered. Another reso-
luton by Delegate Lloyd demands fore
closure of the government mortgages on
the Central Pacific and Union Pacific and
favors government control Of these proper
ties. All the resolutions were read and
referred.
Capt w. II. II. Merry, ofssn Francisco.
made an address on the subject of the
Nicaragua canal. The speech was based
upon a resolution recently agreed to by
the California delegation and to be pre-
sented to the convention tomorrow morn
ing. The resolution is in the form of
memorial to congress. asking prompt con-
struction of the canal by the United States
government and subsequent management
under United States control. The speaker,
who is personally interested as a stock
holder in the canal company, declared the
plans of the present administration for
construction of the canal by private cor
poration with adequate protection of
United States interests we're certainly
commendab,e. He declared that the bill
now before congress. which provides that
the government shall own and control
seven-tenths of. the stock of the company
aud have the power of appointment
OF fifteen directors of the corporation.
certainty afforded this desired protection.
At the same time, he said. the plan ap-
peared to be acceptable to the canal CON-
pany. He declared, too, that the conces-
sion of this present corporation should
never be allowed TO lapse. He vas in pos
session of positive information, he said.
that English capital stood ready 10 step in
and secure control OF the enterprise the
moment opportunity offered.
w. J. Manson, OF San Francisco spoke
in favor of construction and absolute con-
troll of the canal by the United States
government. He agreed with Chief jus
tice Marshall, who once declared that he
objected to the United States government
going into partnership with any private
corporatiou. Manson declared the pres
ent company had been In existence since
1850 and now, when il had become appar
ent that the company could do nothing,
the government was asked TO back 1t up.
Gov. Mcconnell, of Idaho. followed. he
desired TO admonish the people as TO the
great danger Of putting into the hands Of
any private corporation any great high
way of travel whether il be railroad or 3
canal The peop.e of California, he
said, for thirty years had suffered
rs result of such action. He said the
United States government should build.
own and control the canal We are told.
he said, that se cannot fight the copdi-
tons which confront Us. Thunder We
can and ~ill. simply because President
Cleveland or Senator Morgan did not be-
Eeve ia IL, are the people 10 give up this
great enterprise7 say no,
Cleveland and Morgan never believe
in anything that i. 10 our interest. II
they have We have never heard of H. T"
Cor. Mcconnell declared that the people
would build and own the waterway be-
tween the great oceans If they have 20 tight
for the privilege. his remarks were en-
phzsszed by the convention with three