The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-21
Eleventh Annual Session Of transmits.
sisslppl Congress at an End.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION PERFECTED
Some Very Able and interesting Papers
Are Read.
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EX-GOVERNOR FRANCIS OF MISSOURI
Presents the Claim of the st. Louis
Exporition-Mr. weber Tells of
Pan-American Expedition.

IN compliment to Cripple Creek the
prevailing theme OF stage decoration at
Turner Hall yesterday was yellow, typify-
sng the yellow metal and harmoniztng with
the color OF the Cripple Creek badges,
Mrs. william Christian was at the hall
preceding the opening of the Congress
and she brought with her profusion Of
yellow field flowers of native growth, the
blooms of which matched in color the tint
Of the Cripple Creek badges as thoroughly
us though they had been made to order.
She had also draped the tables with yell
low crepe paper. thus producing har-
monious and very appropriate effect.
The attendance when the convention was
called 10 order was not as large as on the
previous day, owing to advancing the hour
of the meeting, but by 10 a. m. the hall
was filled with delegates and good at
tendance of citizens.
The convention was called to order by
Chairman Moses of the executive commit
tee, who called G. II. Tiehenor OF New
Orleans to the chair, who in turn intro
duced E. b. Perkins OF Dallas. who deliv-
cred an address upon the subject OF
Statehood and the Responsibility OF Citi-
zenship."
Mr.. Perkins Address.
He spoke in part as follows:
TO the business men the subject OF
Statehood is the most embarrassing on the
programme of this Congress. The rea-
son is simple They care little for thao-
ries. In government as in business, they
look for results. They want protection
for life and property. and an equal chance
In trade. Obtaining these, they are in
different as TO the source whence they
come They do not take time to make a
comprehensive investigation OF the divi-
sions and structure oil their OWN govern
ment. They ought TO be the best in-
formed men in the country on this sub
ject. but they are not. There is no other
class so intelligent as they, that know so
little about IT.; yet there is no other class
so much Interested, because noae are so
quickly and vitality affected by govern
mental misconduct or mistakes,
When the injury to the business In
terests come. they see 1t and protest ylgor-
ously, but their efforts are often misdirect-
ed and futile tor they have not the same
grasp Of the subject that they have OF the
commercial rules and regulations controu'
ing business. They not only fail to study
the theory OF our government, but they
neglect and shun the duties OF her citizens
They turn with indifference, often with
scorn, from the political arena. They have
made 1t possible in many instances fol
the professional office seeker the crank
the idler and bum, TO determine who shall
be candidate for office. This, too wher
these candidates must become the officers
who shape the destinies OF the State aud
of the Republic. They avoid the jury box
although jury exercises the highest pre-
rogative OF sovereignty-the prerogativ,
of passing upon life, liberty and the
rights OF property. Their influence Is
widespread, yet they do not hesitate e
speak with contempt OF the local executive
officers OF the Judiciary. and OF the legis
lative assemblies, Their servants, clerks
and other employees, hearing this go out
and do likewise.
This has gone 10 the extent that 1t Is
no longer an honor to hold a local office,
1t is rather badge OF suspicion, Capable
men hearing ana knowing the situation
are often deferred from Offering to serve
the public. These matters are omln US.
They are poisoning the fountain Of pollt-
ical power. They are corrod.ng the love
OF patriotism OF the people. Tha respon.
the business men than upon any other
class, The time has come, from the stand
point OF their own interests. and the nter.
ests of the Republic, that the bushes
men should acquire rs thorough an under
standing OF the theory and administration
of government as they have OF commerce
And when they undertake this right az
the threshold is Statehood. Statehoo,
and union are the component factors In
the formation of the Republic. In the be-
ginning. Statehood was the greater. II
was Statehood that wrote the Declaration
OF independence Union came, not TO de-
stroy, but to fulfill ia wider and grandei
Held the mission OF Statehood. Statehood
IS the unit Of sovereignty. II stands fol
the liberty and freedom OF the Individual
and for the protection of life aud prom
erty. Union is the delegated and com
Dned sovereignty. II stands for uure-
stricted intercourse between the stare
for due process OF. and equal protection OF
the law. and as n bulwark against the
commandments of other nations.
The individual passes through the
crowded streets or strolls in the sllent
wood in safety. for the power 90 the STATE
is around him. He goes and comes al VII
and pursues the avocation of his choice
because the State guarantees these liner
ties. He erects factories and supplies m,
world with their products; he invests mil
lions in the construction OF transpor,a.
ton lines; he aids IN building cities an,
filling them with the wealth OF commerce
all these are safe because the STATE saw
70 the bandit Hands off, He leaves hi
loved ones at home and travels far ava
having no fear for them, because at hi