The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-15
CONVENTION AT KANSAS CITY.
President Harrison Declares Himself
on Tariff and Silver.
Charles Francis Adams Says the Gov
eminent Should Leave individuals
Alone-He Defends Trusts, and So
Do Other MsiIionaires.

the following states and territories: Cali
fornia, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, New
Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Kansas, Ne
braska, Missouri. Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennesse, Ala
bama. Iowa, Mississippi, Louisiana. Geor-
gia. Texas and Oklahoma. The conven-
ton was called to order by State Senator
Keller, of Kansas. He introduced Rev.
DIR. Hayes, of this city, who offered prayer.
The convention then proceeded to tenn
porary organization. Senator Keller was
chosen temporary chairman. In a long
speech of acceptance he explained the OBJ
lect of the congress to be the consideration
of various questions of peculiar interest to
the West and South. Keller laid all the
blame of the agricultural depression upon
too small circulating medium. As re-
lief he suggested the re-coinage OF silver
and the raising Of silver money to the
standard of gold. John w. Springer, of
Illinois, was elected temporary secretary.
Then the chairman presented Governor
Francis. who welcomed the delegates in
behalf of Missouri. He said the congress
marked new era in agricultural. COM
mercial and financial history. In the
early history of the country such dissen-
sion and dissatisfaction as now exists re-
suited in revolution. The people of the
world were now crying for relief, but re-
lief was not sought by arms, but by this
deliberatiye congress. Different causes
were assigned for the depression of West
ern interests. Heretofore federal legisla-
tion had been in the interest of the East.
1t was necessary now for the West to
stand together. and there were many
things for the West to decide, in the advo-
cacy of which it should be unanimous, earn
est and continued. The West wanted free
trade with Mexico, Canada and South
America. and all the countries of the
world. The West wanted the Mississippi
connected with the great lakes; wanted
improved waterways; wanted interna-
tional railways: wanted q fuller volume
of currency. These were the things that
would relieve the distressing condition of
affairs, and these were the things that the
West must act together upon. Dwight
Thatcher, of Topeka, welcomed the dele
gates on behalf of Kansas. An adjourn
ment was then taken until 2 p. IN.
Upon reassembling, letters of regret,
among them one from President Har-
rison, were read. President Harrison
said:
Public discussion Of the conditions affecting
agricultural and business prosperity cannot but
be helpful if conducted on broad lines and hes
pitablc to differences of opinion. The extraor-
dinary Improvement in the productiveneas of
agriculture which has taken place during a
recent period in this country and the recent en-
largement of the area of tillage under the favor
ing land laws of the United States, has called
attention to values and the necessity of a lsr.er
market ! am one of those who believe the
home market necessarily the best for the pro-
ducer, as it emancipates him. in the proport on
ate nearness, from the exaction OF transporta-
ton companies. ii the farmer could deliver his
surplus produce out of his farm wagon, his in
dependence and his profits would be larger and
surer. 1t seems to possible to secure a largely
increased market for our staple farm
products without impairing the home market by
opening the manufacturing trades to competi-
tion with foreign producers paying lower rate
OF wages. A policy that would reduce the num-
Der of our people engaged in mechanical pur-
suits or diminish their ability to purchase food
products cannot be helpful to those engaged in
agricultural pursuits. The farmers insist that
the prices OF products have been too low: below
the point of q fair living profit think so. too,
but venture to remind them that the plea in
wolves making other things too cheap The
farmer makes a good living and profits for his
work and should conccde the same to every other
man and woman who works.
The president continues by saying he
looks with great confidence to the de-
velopment of reciprocal treaty relations
with Central and South America. and the
removal of European restrictions on our
meat and cattle No effort and none of
the powers vested in the executive would
be left unused to secure an end which is
SO desirable.
Your deliberatiau win probably also embrace
consideration of the question of the volume and
character OF our currency. IL will not be pos
sible. and would not be appropriate, for me in
this letter TO enter upon any elaborate discus
sion of these questions One or two things
may say. and frst. believe that every person
who thoughtfuliy considers the question viii
agree with me upon the proposition which is at
base OF all my consideration of currency,
namely: That any dollar, paper or coin,
issued ty the United States must
be made and kept in its commercial
use as good as any other dollar. So long as any
paper money issued or authorized by United
states government and accepted in commercial
use is equivalent 10 the best coined dollar that
we issue, &ad so long as every coined dollar,
whether OF silver or gold, is assured OF equal
value in commercial use, there need be no fear
as TO an excess of money. The more OF such
money the better. But on the other hand, when
any issue of paper for coined doilars in buying
aud selling is rated at a less value than any
other paper or coined dollar, we have passed
the limits of safe experiment in finance. II
we have dollars of different values, only the
poorest will circulate. The farmer and lahorer,
who are not in hourly communication with the
ticker or telegraph, require. above all other
classes OF our community, dollar of full value-
Fluctuations and depreciations ere also at the
first cost of these classes of our community.
Bankers and spectators anticipate the discount
and often profit by such fluctuations l have
always believed. and do now more than ever
believe, in bimetalism. and favor full use OF
silver in connection with our currency. that
viii be competitive with the maintenance OF the
rarity OF the gold and silver dollar in their
commercial uses. Nothing. in my judgment.
wouid so much resard the restoration of silver
Is lecislation attempted by us that would result
in placing this country upon basis OF silver
p,onopo,isrn. The legislation adopted by
the first session OF the Fifty-hrst coz
sress, I was assured by leading adyo-
Gates OF free coinage, representatives OF
the silver states. would promptly and
permanently bring silver 10 i29 per ounce and
re.lized. Our larger use of silver has apparently
and for reasons not agreed upon, diminished the
demand for silver in China and India ] am
sware that what have said may be assaiied in
rs,,nfs where il is easily defepsihle. but where
have no. attempted 70 present argument have
not before, excepting in an Official way. ex-
messed myself on the subject, but feeling an IN
tsrest in the dignity and Importance OF the
axsemblage in whose behalf you speak, have
yensursd, without bigoszy of opinion Without