Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-08-13
A GREAT CONGRESS.

The Trans Mississippi Commercial
Congress will assemble at st. Paul,
Minnesota, on August 10 and continue
In session until the END. 1t will be one
CT the most important gatherings of the
kind that ever convened. A number of
prominent citizens of Utah will leave
this city for st. Paul on the 10Th inst.
Among them are President John Henry
Smith: Vice Presidents l.. w. Shurt-
lin, ]. c. Cutler and ]. II. Barnes; p.
w Madsen and several others as dele
gates; fail list win appear in the
Deseret New II Is hoped that many
Of otir public spirited people win ac-
company the delegation.
The Importance Of these conferences
cannot be oyerrated. They have ac-
complshed much for the development
and Improvement of the Great West.
and every succeeding session becomes
OF greater interest and value to the
ans-Mississippi region and therefore
10 the whole country, They should
receive the aid and support OF the ma
tim and especially OF the people in the
western States.
The 0mahan for July. published at
Omaha. Neb, has an excellent article
by John Henry Smith. President Of the
congress, which our readers would do
well to peruse; also contributions from
the pens OF ex-Presldents II, NJ.
Whltmore and l.. b. Prince, They set
forth the purposes, advantages and
benefits Of those congresses, and touch
on the questions debated therein.
Speaking of the congress Of 1902 Mr..
Prince says:
Among the subjects that are sure to
call for consideration are auch as the
Public Domain and the Land Laws,
the Arid Region, Irrigation In all its
Phases. the Preservation of Forests.
Mineral Resources Mining Laws, and
Legislation regarding the Value of
AtttdlSsH tNtHHltl vial fNtidllonS Win
Central and South America, our New
Possessions and the Orient, Transpor-
tation Facilities and the Cheapenng OF
Freights TO Commercial Centers and
the Seaboard New Industries, such as
Beet Sugar Ramie. ETC.; the Extension
OF Postal Facilities and Conveniences
the Improvement OF Harbors on the
Gulf and the Pacific and OF Waterways
Useful in Transportation Methods OF
Prevention OF Floods foundations and
Creyssses; the Admission Of Territories
TO the Sisterhood OF States. and the
multitude Of incidental questions that
naturally arise from their discussion or
from resolutions introduced by men,
bers.
The writer, touching on the acquaint-
ances formed with leading and in
fuental men at these gatherings, says
further:
One OF the most important results
OF the annual sessions Of this Congress
Is In the personal acquaintance
there formed between the leading men
Of the Great West. Those who knew
each other by name or reputation have
become personal friends. and many
unfounded prejudlces have thereby been
destroyed. one Illustration OF this may
be found in a better understanding OF
the Mormon question. Beginning at
Denver. in 1891. Utah has sent large
and influential delegations to all OF the
congresses, no matter how distant.
Among the delegates almost always
present were men like George O. Can
non Judge Shurtin. John Henry
Smith, etc. No one acquainted with
the facts will deny that the personal
acquaintance with these delegations
has done more than any other one
cause 10 remove prejudices which had
previously existed In many minds: and
the election OF Mr.. Cannon as president
AZ Omaha, and Of Mr. Smith. the pres
ent Incumbent al Cripple Creek, attest
the regard IN which personal acauaint-
hnce caused these gentlemen 10 be held.
We have every reason to believe that
the Mississippi congress OF 1902
viii be Of increased interest and i'm.
poriance. and feel glad that Utah will
be ably represented there. by far-see.
Ing and practical minds, familiar with
the great Questions TO be considered
and devoted to the welfare OF this
whole western region. We wish them
pleasant trip and great success on
their mission.