The morning news., 1894-11-25

morrow.
Copyright
New York. Nov. 24-The Trans-NIissis
sippi Congress. TO convene at St Louis
tomorrow. and continue for several days
will be one Of the most importaat gather
ings Of the entire year. I'm all material
respects. Its members will discuss the
questions they consider Of most vital im-
portaue- 20 the vast region lying west of
the father of waters, and several memo
rials to the national congress asking for
such legislation as. in the judgment OF
the 4ns-Afississippiau. should be enc
acted for the wel-be.ug of the western
dve-sevenths Of this. country. viii he COM
posed and adopted during the meeting.
Possibly it is not known to most read
ers that so large a portion of the United
States lies on the sunset side Of the Mis-
sissippi, but according to the best au-
thority the total land and water area
Of the states and territories. excluding
Alaska, is 3,o25.6oo square miles. of which
2243.165 lie to the west, and only $50 i35 to
the east Of the big stream.
The states of the Atlantic and gulf
coast, those Of the Allegheny mountain
region, those of the Ohio valley and half
of those washed by the Mississippi it,
self, could be set down within the boun-
dairy line of the trans-Mississippi empire
without touching it at any point and there
would be an area of $50, ,t30 square miles
left over. The total area Of Europe is
but 3769, 702 square miles, and the space
left in the trans-Missippi region after the
rest of the United States had been swal-
lowed up would be enough to take in the
British Isles. Spain including the Cana
ries, Portugal, France, Belgium, the
Netherlands with 'Luxemburg, Switzer-
land, Germany, Denmark, Norway,
Sweden. Austria-Hungary, Italy, Tur-
key, Greece and all Of the minor states
Of Europe, Russia being the only country
that would not be included Even then
there would be about as much left over
as the so-called arid region of the west
amounts to, now that the trans Mlsstssip-
plans have redeemed so much Of it by the
magic Of irrigation.
II is truely a vast empire. whose pos
sibilities in the way Of future develop
ment, are almost beyond computation.
There are indeed, mountain regions,
which cannot be brought under the in
fuence Of the plough there are sandy
and dry expanses which even the in
genuity Of the ninteenth or twentieth
century American may not be able TO
bring within the range Of the vivifying
water, but even with these left out, the
trans -AIississippian region is capable OF
supporting a population many timer eE
ceeding the entire numbet of people liv-
ing in the United States at this time in
comfort even in luxury.
The total population or this republic is
now. perhaps near 10000 0O0. According
10 the census Of 1880 it was but little short
of 63,OO0.00O Less than 1900, 900 then re-
sided west of the Mississippi, while more
than 46, 600 600 were domiCiled in the east.
If the Mississippian region were to
support only as large a number In proper
tion as the region east now supports,
more than 100, 1000 900 would dwell between
our greatest river and the Pacific coast
and this vast number would be manifold
ed, if the habtable portions were to be
settled as thickly as are some countries,
Belgium, for instance.
1t is to bring about such action on the
part OF the national government as will
help to attract to the states and terri
tories, whose representatives are to meet
in st. Louis, the additional population
needed for development, that the congress
mas been called. 1t is expected that the
attendance will number at least 1000.
Every state and territory, county and city
IS entitled to certain proportion of re-
presentation The governors of the states
are especially requested to be present and
such large corporations as are naturally
greatly interested in the DEVELOPMENT OF
the territories in which they are located
are likewise entitled to delegates. Be
sides, all the members of the House OF
Representatives and the senators of the
trans mississippi states have been invi-
teo 10 put in an appearance 1t was
largely for the convenience Of these gen.
tlemen, whose good offices during the
Of f.Cfae
desired, that the meeting was called for
nov 70; Tor at that time they will. in the
natural course of events, be about ready
10 start ior Washington, and they car
start Tor Washington, and they can stop
over at st. Louis without in the slight.
est deranging their plans, or sufferina
personal inconvenience.
one subject that will be most earnestly
discussed during the sessions will be the
silver question; another win be the matter
OF irrigation, which has already this veal
received much attention on the part M
those living in the arid belt. who held Z
large and enthusiastic irrigation cnpres,
m Denver month or two ago. The dis
position Of Indian and pubic lands. tn,
Improvement Of western rivers and har
oors, mining laws; the admission of ter
rltories TO statehood; anti-option legls
lauon; national bankrupt law. ant
the proposed Nicaragua canal viii also
canal project VIII probably be hearth,
championed by a respectable portion o.
the delegates, for many trans Missis
sippians believe that the opening of gucl
a waterway under American auspicel
would be Of great advantage to their par
Of the republic
1t should not be understood that in band
ing together for the purpose Of holding Z
congress TO further the interests Of theil
own states and territories. Trans Mlssis
sippians feel their interests to be seggreea
ted from the interests Of the rest of III,
country, as a matter of fact, they realiz,
tully that the whole must be prusperou
m order 10 insure the progress and wen
being OF both east and west but thl
does not conflict with the notion that tn
interests or each section may be vastl,
urhered by such gatherings for discus
aiou as the one about TO bc held
The coming congress is not the frs
ct The Iran-lllssissippian meetings. 81,
"r seven previous gatherings Of the Sam
nature having been held during the las
ie" years. each. of which lt Is believed
has been of great bancGt 500 that ~ ha
brought nearer tJ one another the mel
ot all the traus-M Mississippi states
Through these consro sses the AmerI
ran VINO lives and docs business uva.
lp in the northwest upon fhs rhoro. a.