The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-27
HOW WE LOST A PRIZE
MR.. CRAIG's INJUDICIoUs TALK
AGAINST FREE SILVER
T. E. Gibbon Says Los Angeles Would
Otherwise Have Been Voted the
Next Years Congress

Yes" said T. E. Gibbon yesterday
afternoon, Il had delightful trip TO
salt Lake City, and J. consider it was a
privilege and a source of improveme nt
to have been present at the Transmits
sissippi congress. in which were repre-
sentative men from twenty-five differ
ent states and territories, and to hear
the manner in which the matters Of the
Countrywide western part of the coun-
try particularly-were so ably handled
in discussion
Mr.. Gibbon returned by the noon train
from the north and was seen in his Of
fees shortly after his arrival by a Her.
aid reporter. Il had a charming trip
from San Fra ncisco with the other Cali
fornia representatives. and as soon as
we arrived we esta blished headquarters
in my apartments at the Templeton and
elected chairman and secretary for the
delegation and did more than we other
wise should, perhaps, by conducting
proceedings in a methodical way from
the start. We undertook a large con-
tract in ersdeavoring to secure for Cali
fornia the meeting place for the next
congress; besides, the president and sec
retary an unprecedented trio of prizes,
and we should have succeeded in captur
irg all three and carrying our point but
for one thing.
We elected Craig of San Francisco
for the presidency, and our next move
was TO work for Los Angeles for the
meeting place; but unfortunately dur
ing the discussion Mr.. Craig got on the
floor and made some indiscreet and Ill
advised statements on the subject of
free silver that gave offense and antag-
onized some of the delegates. This I'M
polite move lost US our vote. AS 1t
was, however, we got the second largest
vote, and il was a matter of a change
of only twenty odd votes to have carried
things our way. 1t was too bad, and
Mr.. Craig regretted the crcum lance
as much as snyore--but it was too late.
Il was made chairman of the commit
tee of permanent organization, and
many of the delegates came to me per-
sonally and explained that they were in
dividually and collectively in favor
Los Angeles; they said many kind ard
favorable things of the place, and of the
L
pressed themselves curious to come
here, and seemed to know a great deal
of the whole locality through the thor
ough advertising that has been done
But for those unfortunate and untact-
full remarks against silver we should
certainly have not been blocked in our
efforts to secure the meeting place, ard
the secretary as well as the president,
for California. oil
THE resolutions on San Pedro and the
harbor matter were introduced by the
California delegation as whole, and we
got them through verbati tim. Kinney of
San Diego introduced a resolution for
San Diego in preference to San Pedro,
which the congress refused to refer back
1t was as body so Disguised at such
petty jealousy from a sister city that the
San Pedro resolutions went through
unanimously"
Incidentally, Mr. Gibbon talked enthu-
sastically of Salt Lake and it's people,
its progress in all departments and the
wonderful capacity that its founders and
builders had shown, from Brigham
Young, Vermont farmer, down. He
described graphically choir rehe arsal
in the great tabernacle (Which holds 12,
900 people easily to which the congress
was invited; the choir of 500 voices and |
the great organ, which was built entirely |
except for the pipes by the Mormons.
He spoke of the beautiful theater, which |
is larger and handsomer than any in Los |
Angeles, which was built in 1863 under
the direction Of Brigham Young for the
edification and enjoyment of the Salt
Lake people
In regard to the proposed railroad be-
tween this city and Salt Lake, Mr.. Glib
bon said: Il saw and talked with many
of the representative Mormons in Salt
Lake, and they are all most enthusi-
astic that such connection should be
made. President Cannon was in the east
while / was there, perfecting arrange
ments for extending their short line
couple of hundred miles in this direction,
and everybody talked with manifested
a warm interest in the probability of
connection being made from this end.
president Cannon is thorough man
of the world as well as a keen, shrewd
business man. He and Bishop H. B.
Clawson, who is Brigham Young's SON
in-laW, and personal friend of mine told
me and showed me very many intensely
interesting features of life and condi-
tions in Salt Lake. l found a most en-
ticing study in sociology and the manner
in which they keep right abreast of the
times in mercantile and professional
pursuits, in science and the arts, is lit
tie less than marvellous. The place is
beautiful, too, with the luxurious foli-
age about the residences it's beautiful
buildings and location near the head of
the Wasatch mountains; but it hasn't
our sea breeze" said Mr.. Gibbon in con-
clusion. ut was pretty warm there, and
although polygamy is no longer prac-
ticed, the influence of the Mormon HE
rarchy is distinctly perceptible in and
through the conduct of all the life and
affairs there.