The Mena star., 1899-01-11

President McKiniey'a Special Com mmissioner
 Says That He Is Firmly Convinced That
 the Cubans win Make Application in
 the End to Re Admitted to the Union as
 a State.
 St Louis, Jan. 10-Delegates from nearly all the states and territories in the "Louisiana purchase" assembled in St. Louis in response to an invita- tion of Gov. Stephens to decide upon the place and manner of celebrating the one hundreth annivers ary of that important event in history. It was ex pected that the question would be settled to-day, but owing to the fact that delegates from Colorado and Min nesota had not all arrived it went over until tomorrow. Gov. Stephens was not able to attend the convention, but designated Attorney General Crow to act in his place The majority of tha delegates present express themselves in favor of selecting St. Louis as the city in which to hold the celebration. New Orleans is in the field for the honor and her delegates are working hard for it Denver was also an asprant for the honor, but is now out of the race. From Kansas City the Colorado dele gation, en route to St. Louis, wired the following shortly before noon:
 Mir J. P. Hunter and myself delegates from Denver, will arrive in St Louis at 6:15 D m Tuesday. If question of place occurs to-day. you are authorized to record our votes for St Lous.-P J. Sours.
 John c. Wilkinson, president of the Business Mems league of St Louis, called the convention to order in the parlors of the Southern hotel shortly after noon. Bishop Daniel s. Futile invoked the Divine blessing, the dele gates rising. The call of the conven- tion was read by Col F. M. Sterrett On behalf of Gov. Stephens, who was unable to be present, Attorney General Crow delivered an address welcoming the delegates to St. Louis
 Hon. John Fitzpatrick, of New Or. leans, was then introduced as tempo rary chairman, with James Cox, of St. Louis, as secretary. After the appoint ment of committees on creden tials, permanent organization and resolu- tions recess was taken.
 Robert Porter Talks About Cuba.
 New York, Jan. 10 Robert D. Por- ter, President McKinley's special com. missioner to Cuba and Porto Rico. spoke last nigh at Cooper union on Practical Problems That Confront Us in Cuba" Mir. Porter said that Cuba has now, under the occupation of the United States, verything she ever fought for. The United States wants not foot of her soil without paying hard cash and will expend every penny of the Cuban revenues on Cuba. He said the political future of Cuba is difficult problem to dispose of and thought it advisable for the present to let mat ters stand as they are. He is firmly convinced that the Cubans can govern themselves and that they will make application for admission to the union as a state. From military and strate- gical view points. he said, it would be insanity to let Cuba go and the ques- tion is, therefore, in what state shall it be held.
 MT. Porter said the labor problem is the most puzzling one in Cuba. He said the island has capacity of 1, ,25o,- 900 tons of sugar year, but because of lack of labor the planters can pro- duce only 300,000 tons. He said that he thought large capitalists will find profitable investments in the island, but he would not advise clerks or men of small means to go there. He said the future of the island depended al- together upon the uphuilding of these great industries, sugar, tobacco and iron ore. He prophesied an era of peace and prosperity for both Cuba and Porto Rico.