Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1895-11-30

| Omaha, VINO welcomed the convention
! IN behalf Of the business men. Mayor
| 3emis prOffered the welcome Of the
| city, Governor Silas Holcomb perform
ed similar duty on behalf of the state
The band played "America." The con-
| vention adjourned two hours for lunch
| At the afternoon session, committees
| were appointed, credentials examined
| and the convention was regularly or
| ganized.
| The response to Governor Holcomb's s
| welcoming address by T.. Bradford
| Prince of New Mexico was a feature of
| he closing afternoon session. The
| -peaker spoke eloquently Of the di-
| ersity Of the country which extended
| rom the level prairies to the foothills
| If the mountains filled with their vast
| mineral wealth.
Ex-Governor Prince asked his audi
ence 10 think Of the gold miner Of Col
orado, who had been made prosperous
BY an act Of congress and then of the
poor silver miner whose prosperity had
been taken away froi1: him by the same
act. In conclusion he said: I'VE thank
YOU heartily for your words Of welcome.
our expectations have been more than
realized. These flowers also present i
mute welcome from some who have not
Been represented on this floor, but
whose welcome is as touching and
graceful as any that could greet US
acre. We are all glad to meet here on
The banks Of your mighty river, in
your city, which is a miracle Of growth
and an epitone Of the enterprise ana
progress which has made the common
Wealths Of the west and we trust that
our sOjourn here will bring nothing but
pleasure to the people Of Omaha and
Nebraska, as we are satisfied that it
will bring nothing but pleasure to our
selves"
cultivation and Uses of Ramie" was
the first subject under discussion this
afternoon. Professor Waterhouse of ST.
Louis was the chief speaker Hugh
Craig Of San Francisco discussed Amer
lean shipping.
From p. m. until p. m a public
reception was rendered the delegates
At the city hall and when the evening
session opened with the discussion Of
Statehood for Territories" by Cover
nor Prince of New Mexico, in which
he pleaded for the immediate admission
Of New Mexico and Arizona, the senti-
throughout This topic consumed the
whole session, and many members
Joined in the discussion. 1t was agreed
hat statehood could not be withheld
from the territories much longer
S. H. r. Whitmore Of ST. Louis chair
man of the executive committee, is at
tracing much attention. He said to-
night: II do not think the silver ques-
ton will play much of a part in the
proceedings. That has lost ground re-
Gently and is no longer subject Of
first interest with the convention,
though many delegates are friends of
the white metal. The matter of freight
discrimina tions will undoubtedly be
one Of the best subjects on the program
and the discussion of forestry, irriga-
ton, harbors and deep waterways and
the Nicaragua canal will be attended
with much interest"
The program for the sessions of the
congress is only partially outlined. AS
far as it is now prepared. it includes
the following discussions: sForestry
IN the Rockies" BY Hon. John Park of
Salt Lake City; THE Hawaiian CUES
tion,' by Hon. Hugh Craig of San
Francisco; 'Nicaraguan Canal" Cap
tain Merry Of San Francisco; Trans
mississippi Tariffs" James Mahoney,
Sioux City, Iowa, and Captain Lon Bry-
son, Davenport; Deep Waterways" by
Hon. A. P. McGuirk of Davenport,
Iowa; "Irrigation," Ex-Governor Prince
and others.
The largest and most notable dele
cation in the convention represents
Utah. Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Kan
sas, Texas, Colorado, California Ari-
zona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon,
Wyoming and the Dakotas are repre-
sented.
ITS PURPOSE.
The convention will probably be in
session for five days. The explicit pur-
pose of the congress, as expressed by
the executive committee, is to discuss
all questions affecting the interests of
the people in the foregoing territory
(from the Mississippi to the Pacif1c),
which may be the subject of legisla-
ton by the United States congress, and
to express to it, through resolutions and
otherwise. the sentiments Of the west
ern people. It will also endeavor to
take such steps for the presentation Of
these resolutions to that body as will
command its attention and action.
The trans Mississippi commercial cor
gress is described as the great result of
the consolidation of various western
non-poltical or commercial conventions,
which have been in existence from time
to time, but which have gradually merg-
ed into this one great organization. In
stead Of holding separate conventions up
on all western questions, it has now be
come apparent how much more effective
will be the demands of one congress voic-
ing the general sentiment Of the people,
as developed in a forum which is not in
the interest Of any one subject. The most
important subject that will be discussed
are Irrigation of Arid Lands" THE
Hawaiian Question:" Nicaragua Canal"
"Bimetallism," CONSTRUCTION and I'm
provement Of Waterways and Deep Water
Harbors," Trans Mississippi Freight
Tariffs and Discriminat tions,'' Rail and
Water Communication Between Western