The record-union., 1897-07-18

next session VIII be convened at Wich-
tia, Kan, at date to be designated
by the Executive Committee.
This has been a busy day in the con-
gress, and great deal of routine work
was done. The principal features of
the session this morning We're the resig-
nation Of the newly elected President,
Hugh Craig, and the consideration Of
the resolution calling upon the Secre-
tary of War to take immediate steps
towards the construction of the san
Pedro Harbor. The resignation of Mr..
Craig was read by the Secretary. 1t
was as follows:
Gentlemen: You hOnored me yes
terday by adopting the unanimous re-
port of the Committee on Permanent
Organization and electing me to the
distinguished position of President Of
your body. Later in the day the con-
gress placed itself on record as de-
manding the immediate restoration of
the free and unlimited coinage of sill
Yer at the present ratio of 16 to l. with
out waiting for the aid and consent of
any other nation, such gold and silver
coin to be alike full legal tender for
all debts, public and private
THE fact that my sentiments and
opinions on the money question We're
Well known to the Committee on Per
nlanent Organization makes your gen
erCsity in selecting me as your presid-
ing officer for the next year all the more
gratifying and complimentary. Surely
then, I would be untrue to you and to
myself, and wanting in respect for the
business int terests of San Francisco and
the State of California, standing for
fifty years a monument of sound
finance, if I 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.
In taking this action 1 am prompted
to acknowledge the keen enjoyment and
pleasure have realized in meeting face
TO face and clasping by the hand the
brOadminded men Of the West who par
ticipated in the deliberations of your
congress. Certainly our trans-Missis-
sippi country is fulfilling it's destiny in
producing patriotic generous, resource
ful, independent men and women;
hence 1 cannot jeopardiZe your good
opinion by retaining a position in which
in my judgment requires in your inter-
est a presiding officer in full sympathy
with the five to one vote recorded by
you in favor of free silver"
Mr. Bryan objected to the accepting
of the resignation. He said that the
President of the congress need not nee
essarily be in accord with the majority
of the congress on all subjects. For
seven years the congress has been in
favor of free silver, and the speaker
knew Mr.. Craig to be honorable enough
to carry out the viii 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 irrevocable.
Mr.. Prince seized the gavel, and, af-
ter some discussion, put the question,
and it was unanimously carried that
Mr. Craig act as President.
The Committee on Resolutions report
ed favorably the San Pedro harbor res
olution, and it was discussed at con-
siderable length. About the only op-
position came from Judge Kinney of
San Diego, who said there was no har-
Dor at San Pedro to improve. Several
California delegates spoke in favor of
the resolution. Crisp of Missouri and
Thomas of Colorado also spoke in it's
favor.
The resolution was adopted by a
practically unanimous vote.
At the afternoon session Vice-Presi-
dents from the States were named as
follows: Arkansas, B. D. Williams;
Arizona, J. J. Hawkins; Colorado, w.
H. Mcclure; California, William Johns;
Idaho, E. S. Hart; Iowa, A. R. Garrett;
Kansas, w. P Dillard Louisiana,
Breedlove Smith; Montana, William
Thompson; Minnesota, d. 7. Adams;
Missouri, John Doniphan; Nebraska,
W. l. Kiersted; New Mexico, A. S.
GoetX; Nevada, w. p. Maxen; Okla
homa, A. J. Sears; Dakota, c. E. Jew
EFT; Texas, G. P. Zimpleman; Utah, T.
w. Shurtleff; Washington, George Haz-
ard; Wyoming, ]. r. Arnold
Resolutions were adopted favorfng
the free homes bill, improvement of the
Pacific Coast harbors and deep water
harbor at Galveston. and indorsing the
pure food bill.
Keller of Nebraska introduced res
olution 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, and
that the Government should adopt such
measures as viii secure to the patrons
of the Pacific railways the use of said
roads upon the payment of rates which
yield a reasonable return upon the pres
ent 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 We're named-Los An
geles, Wichita and Omaha.
Mr.. Gibbons of California made a
streng argument for Los Angeles, and
at the close of his speech it 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 ques-
tion there was considerable confusion
and discussion among the delegates.
Some heavy delegations, like Montana,
threw their entire vote for Wichita,
and that city was successful.
The vote was: Los Angeles 50,
Wichita 141, Omaha 40.
]. R. Mcknight was chosen as Sec