Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1897-07-24
WICHITA WAS CHOSEN
THE TRANS-NiSSISSIPP CONGRESS
CLOSES IT'S SESSION.
Silver Not Allowed to Interfere
With Mr.. Crnig's Continuance
as President.

at date to be determined by the eNecu-
tive committee. This was a busy day in
the congress, and great deal of routine
work was done. The principal fea lures
of the morning session were the reslgna-
tion of the newly elected president, Hugh
Craig, and the consideration OF a resolu-
ton calling upon the secretary Of war to
take immediate steps towards the con
struction of San Pedro harbor.
The resignation of Mr.. Craig was read
by the secretary. 1t was as follows:
"Gentlemen: You honored me yester-
day by adopting the unanimous report OF
the committee on permanent organization
and clecting me to the distinguished po-
sition of president of your body. Later
in the day the congress placed itself on
record as demanding the immediate res
toration of the free and unlimited coin
age of silver at the present ratio OF IL to
|. without waiting for the aid or consent
of any other nation. Such gold and sill
yer coin to be alike a full legal tender for
all debts public and private
"rhe fact that my sentiments and
opinions on the money question were well
known to the members of the committee
on permanent organization ma kes your
generosity in selecting me as your pre-
siding officer for the next year all the
more gratifying and complimentary
Surely, then, | would be untrue to YOU
and to myself and wanting in respect for
the business interests of San Francisco
and the state of California, standing for
so wears a monument of sound finance, if
/ permitted your congress to adjourn
without pointing out to you how utterly
inconsistent it would be for me to re-
main your presiding officer and asking
you to select my successor.
"In 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 participate
in the deliberations Of your congress. Ger
tainly our trans Mississippi countryis full
filling the destiny in producing patriotic,
generous, resourceful, independent men
and women hence | cannot ieopardize
your good opinion by retaining il posi-
ton which in my judgment requires IL
your interest a presiding officer in fu'!
sympathy with the five to one vote re-
corded by you in favor of free silver.
MIR. Bryan Objected.
Mr. Bryan objected to the accepting
of the resignation. He said that the presl-
dent of the congress need not necessarily
be in accord with the ma jority Of the con
gress on all subjects. For seven years the
congress had been in favor of free silver,
and the speaker knew Mr.. Craig to be
honorable enough to carry out the Will Of
the congress.
Mr.. Craig said he had considered the
subject and that he had consulted his
friends and his wife, and that the resigna-
ton was irrcyocable.
Mr. Prince seized the gavcl, and after
some discussion put the question, and y
was unanimously carried that Mr. Craig
act as president.
The committee on resolutions reported
favorably the San Diego harbor resolu-
ton, and it was discussed at considerable
length About the only opposition came
from Judge Kinney OF San Diego, who
said there was no harbor at San Pedro TO
improved. Several California delegates
spoke in favor of the resolution.
Crisp of Missouri and Thomas of Colo
RADIO also spoke in its favor.
The resolution was adopted by a unani
nous vote.
State Vice Presidents.
At the afternoon session vice presidents
from the states We're named as follows:
Arkansas, B. d. Williams: Arizona J. j..
Hawkins: Colorado w. II. Mcclure; Cal
ifornia, William Johns: Idaho, T.. :,
Hart; Iowa, A. r. Garrell; Kansas, W. T..
billiard; Louisiana, Breedlove Smith;
Montana, William Thompson; Minnesota,
D. T. Adams; Missouri, John Donphan;
Nebraska, w. !. kiersted; New Mexico,
A. S. Goetz; Nevada, W. p. MaXon: Okla
homa. 4. J. Seay: South Dakota, c. g..
Jewett: Texas, G. p Zimpleman; Utah.
i. w. ShurtIiff; Washington, George
Hazard; Wyoming, j. r. Arnold.
Resolutions were adopted favoring the
free homes bill, Improvement Of the Pa
cific coast harbors and deep water at
Galveston, and indorsing the pure food
bill. NJ A. Keller Of Nebraska introduc-
ed a resolution relating to Pacific rail
roads
The following substitute was introduc-
ed by Mr. Bryan: "Resolved That it is
the sense of this congress that the Pacific
liens should be forcclosed as they become
due and that the government should
adopt such masures as will secure to the
patrons of the Pacific railways the use of
said roads upon the payment OF rates
which Weld a reasonable return on the
present values Of the roads, measured by
the cost of reproduction.
BRYAN made a vigorous speech in favor
of the resolution, and it was adopted.
The Next Convention.
The question of next place for holding
the convention then came up. Only three
cities were named: Los Angeles, Wichita
and Omaha. Mr. Gibbons of California
made strong argument for Los Angeles,
and at the close of his speech it looked as
if that city would be named almost unanl-
mously.
f. r. Moss spoke for Wichita and
Judge Gregory for Omaha. During the
call of states there was considerable con-
fusion and discussion among the dele
gates Some heavy delegations like Mon,
tana threw their entire vote for Wichita
and that city was successful. The vote
was: Los Angeles SO, Wichita l41, Omaha
40.
J. R. Mcknight was chosen secretary
and after vote of thanks to the citi-
zens Of Salt Lake and to the officials OF
the Church of Jesus Christ of the Later
Day Saints for the use of building and
grounds, the congress at O'Clock ad-
journed.
Not II Practical Cook.