The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-18
PRESIDENT CRAIG RESIGNS
BUT THE TRANsMIssIsSIPPIANS
INSIST
The Congress Adjourns After Strik-
ing . Sturdy Blow for the
Harbor at San Pedro
Associated Press Special Wire.

Sion OF Ino ITdHSlIliSSiSSipPl SoA6i oS~
adjourned this afternoon. and the mex:
session will be convened at Wichita
Kas., at a date to be designated by the
executive committee.
This has been a busy day in the con-
grese and a great deal Of routine work
was DONE The principal features OF the
session this morning were the resigna-
tion of the newly elected president, Hugh
Craig, and the consideration Of the res
olution calling upon the secretary OF
war to take immediate steps toward the
construction of the San Pedro harbor.
The resignation of Mr.. Craig was read
by the secretary. 1t was as follows:
'sGentlemen: You honored me yester-
day by adopting the unanimous report
Of the committee on permanent organi-
cation and electing me to the distin-
guisbed position of president Of your
body. Later in the day the congress
placed itself upon record as demanding
the immediate restoration of the free
and unlimited coinage of silver at the
present ratio of 16 to 1, without waiting
for the aid and consent Of any other ma
~
alike full legal tender for all debts,
public and private.
1.-THE fact that my sentiments and
opinions on the money question were
well known to the members of the COM
mittee on permanent organization makes
your generosity in selecting me as your
presiding officer for the next year all
the more gratifying and complimentary.
Surely, then, 1 would be untrue to you
and to myself, and wanting in respect
for the business interests of San Fran
cisco and the state of California, stand
ing for fifty years monument of sound
finance, if 1 permitted your congress
to adjourn without pointing out to you
how utterly inconsistent it would be for
me to remain your presiding officer, and
asking you to select my successor.
I'm taking this action am prompted
to acknowledge the keen enjoyment and
pleasure have realized in meeting face
to face and clasping by the hand the
broad minded men of the west, who par
ticipate in the deliberations of your con-
gress Certainly our transmississippi
country is fulfilling its destiny in pro-
ducing patriotic. generous, resourceful,
Independent men and women, hence
cannot jeopardize your good opinion by
retaining position in which my judg-
ment requires in your interest - pre-
siding officer in full sympathy with the
five to one vote recorded by you in favor
of free silver.
Mr.. Bryan objected to the acceptance
of the resignation. He said that the
president of the congress need not neces-
sarily be in accord with the majority of
the congress en- all subjects. For seven
years the congress has been in favor o.
free silver, and the speaker knew Mr..
Craig to be honorable enough to carry
out the will Of the congress.
Mr.. Craig said that he had considered
the subject and that he had consulted
his friends and his wife, and that the
resignation was ;rrevocable.
Mr.. Prince seized the gavel and after
some discussion put the question, and it
was unanimously carried that Mr.. Craig
act as president.
The committee on resolutions reported
favorably the San Pedro harbor resolu-
ton and it was discussed a con siderabie
length. About the only opposition came
from Judge Kinney of San Diego, who
said there was no harbor at San Pedro
to improve. Several California dele
gates spoke in favor of the resolution.
Crisp of Missouri and Thomas of Colo
RADIO also spoke in. its favor. The resolu-
ton was adopted by a practically unan-
imous vote.
At the afternoon session vice presi-
dents from the states were named as
follows: Arkansas, B. D. Williams; Ari-
zona, ]. ]. Hawkins; Colorado, W. H.
Idaho, E. S. Hart; Iowa. A. r. Garrett;
Kansas W.P. billiard; Louisiana, Breed
love Smith, Montana, William Thomp-
son; Minnesota, D. T. Adams; Missouri
John Doniphan; Nebraska, w. I. Kier-
sted; New Mexico, A. S. Goetz; Nevada,
w. p. Maxon; Oklahoma, A. J. Seay;
South Dakota, c. E. Jewett; Texas, G
P. zimpleman; Utah, T. w. Shurtleff;
Washington G. Hazard; Wyoming, J.
M. Reynold.
Resolutions were adopted favoring the
free homes bill, improvement of the Pa
cific coast harbors and deep water har-
Dor at Galveston, and endorsing the
pure food bill
Keller of Nebraska introduced a res
oiut ion relating to Pacific RAILROADS.
The following substitute was intro
duced by Mr.. Bryan:
Resolved, That it is the sense of
this congress that the Pacific liens
should be foreclosed as they become due.
ard that the government should adopt
such measures as will secure to the pa
irons of the Pacific railway the use OF
said roads upon the payment of rates
which yield a reasonable return upon
the present value of the roads, measured
by the cost of reproduction.
Mr.. Bryan made a vigorous speech in
favor Of the resolution, and it was
adopted.
The question of the next place for
holding the convention then came up.
Only three cities were named-Loe An
geles. Wichita and Omaha. Mr.. Gibbon
Of California made strong argumen {
for Los Angeles and at he close of his
speech ii looked as If that city would be
named almost unanimously. E. r. Moss
spoke for Wichita and Judge Gregory
for Omaha. During the call Of states on
the question there was considerable con-
fusion and discussion among the dele
gates. Some heavy delegations like
Montana, threw their entire vote for
Wichita. and that city was successful
The vote was: Los Angeles. SO; Wichita,
101; Omaha, 40.
J. r. Mcknight was chosen as secre-