Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-26
AT THE EVENING SESSION.
Statehood for New Mexico and West
crn Forestry Discussed.

Statehood for New Mexico and West
crn Forestry Discussed.
| Other attractions seemed to dispute the
right Of way with the convention in the
evening, and a considerable number of the
delegates failed to put in an appearance, but
an increased attendance Of spectators partially
atoned for their absence. Preliminary to TAX
ing up the regular program, r. w. Richard
| son of Omaha introduced a declaration dia-
metrically opposed to the free silver resou-
tion previously offered by Governor Prince. 1t
was:
The Transmississippi Commercial congress
at its eighth annual session respectfully
States:
Recognizing the wisdom of the great COM
that. the. gold supply is all sufficient and
requisitely stable for the measure and
standard value. weS demand the mainte-
basis of our circulation until such time as
the leading commercial nations of the world
shall. in the course of natural events, or by
on a ratio. We desire the largest use of
silver in the coinage. consistent with the
We deny the statements and declarations
Of Of. free silver advocates that the law of
surreptitious legislation; that such ieglsla-
tion influences the price of wheat or any
other commodity; that it is responsible for
sand lis so prolific In the imagination Of
the average free silver enthusiast.
coinage of Silver by this government, inde-
pendent of international agreement because
we believe the result Of such action would
mean silver monometallism, thus dropping
our nation from her class with the leading
commercial nations of the world.
A resolution by NJ. v. w. Huffman of Mis-
souri, called on congress to re-enact the
reciprocity clause of the Mckinley bill, which
was nullifed by the German bill.
Governor Holcomb and Mayor Bemis were
made honorary members Of the congress.
STATEHOOD FOR NEW MEXICO
The question of Statehood for Territories"
was then discussed by Ex-Governor Prince of
New Mexico The governor said that self
government was the inherent right Of Ameri-
can citizens. The right to take part in the
selection of a national chief magistrate and
the governor and other officers of a state
was one of which people did not like to be
deprived. When a country was sparsey
settled that self-government was impossible
the territorial government was all right as
a temporary eXpedient. But the moment
that that territory became able to govern
itself its citizens should regain their inher-
ent right and be granted that privilege.
The speaker contended that New Mexico
had reached the point where it could no
longer justly be refused the privilege of
governing itself. He related the history Of
the effort of its people to obtain statehood
in 1850 Then they had elected full quota
gress. But when these representatives were
on their way to Washington they heard of
the passage of the famous compromise act,
by which California admitted to the
union and New Mexico relegated to the
status of territory. By the census of 1890
New Mexico had $4,000 population, which
exceeded that of most of the other terri
tories at the time when they were admitted
to statehood. 1t had more population than
Idaho and Wyoming combined and 1000
a1 al
q state.
The governor then turned to the financial
condition of the territory to show that II
could afford to support its own government.
Its assessed valuation In 1891 was 5,00O,-
900. while that of Idaho was s2S. 600, 900. and
Of Wyoming $31 100000. Its bonds had sold
at $1.05h, and 1t contained the greatest
natural resources OF any section on the face
OF the earth. In this respect 1t was sur
passed In some ways by California but the
possession of immense coal fields gave New
Mexico an advantage over even that prolific |
state. New Mexico had built magnificent
capitol and penitentlary, insane asylum |
and other public buildings that would COM
pare favorably with the best that could be |
found In the west.
In regard to the objection that many of the |
inhabitants OF the territory were foreigners |
the speaker said that this was without force |
In nation which seemed to assmiiate the
worst elements OF Europe. During the re-
bellion, out Of population Of $4,000, New |
Mexico had sent $500 volunteers, while Colo
RADIO had only furnished 4, 900, and Nebraska |
Oregon and Nevada 6,047 altogether. These |
foreigners in New Mexico were men who had |
been reared In sister republic and whose |
principles were In direct harmony with the |
principles OF American government. New |
Mexico had a stable and progressive popula- |
ton. II was composed of a people who were |
attached to its soil. The Spanish element of |
mingled with American enthusi- |
asm created combination which was pro-
sressive without being rash and better adapted |
TO give the state solid and substantial |
growth than the sometimes misdrected zeal
which had been characteristic OF the popula-
lions OF other western territories. He con-
nluded by painting glowing picture OF the |
added prosperity which would follow the ad-
mission CT the territory as state.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN FORESTRY.
The conclusion OF Ex-Governor Princes ad-
iress was heartily applauded, and then John
R. Park OF Salt Lake read paper on For
,stry in tho Rocky Mountains" Colonel
Park said that the term forestry" was a
lew word. which had been born Of the neces-
ty for creating new timber and protecting