The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-15
The COMMERCIAL CONGRESS.
The First Convention Of Business Men Of
the West and South.
LEADER OF MAFIA LYNCHERS CHEERED.
Governor Francis Address-Letters of Re
greet from the President and Secretary
of Agriculture Rusk.

Kansas CITY, KAN, April 1.-THE first
Western States Commercial Congress con-
vened at noon to-day at the Coates Opera
House, with delegates present from the fol
lowing Western and Southern States: Cali
fOrnla. Washington Idaho Colorado New
Mexico, Wyoming. Montana, Kansas, Iowa.
Nebraska. Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin.
Michigan, Illinois Indiana. Ohio. Kentucky,
Alabama, Mississippi Louisiana, Georgia,
| Texas and Oklahoma. The delegations were
cOmDOsed mainly of business men appointed
| 10y the Governors Of the various States. and
representatives of Western and Southern
/ people.
The convention was called for 10 O'Clock,
! but II was nearly noon when the chairman OF
the Executive Committee raped for order
| Just before the formal convention mail was
distributed TO the various delegates.
When the name of John G. Wickhfie, Of
/ New Orleans. was called his name was recog
| nized ~ that Of one If the leaders Of the citi-
/ zens Of New Orleans who executed the eleven
/ Italians charged with Chief Hennessy's death
| When he stepped % the stage his appearance
was greeted with applause. Without ac-
/ knowledging il he quickly resumed his seat
| The convention then proceeded 10 temporary
/ organization.
BY motion If Governor Francis. Of Missouri
! Senator Kelly WIS chosen temporary chair
man In a long speech of acceptance he
explained the object Of the Congress to be the
/ consideration of various questions Of peculiar
! interest 10 the West and South.
Mr.. Kelly laid all blame OF the agricultural
| depression upon too small circulating
| medium As a relief he suggested the re-
coinage Of silver. the raising of silver money
| 10 the standard Of gold Hon. John W.
! Springer of Illinois, was elected temporary
/ secretary.
GOVERNOR FRANCIS ADDRESS.
The chairman then presented Governor
! Francis of Missouri. who welcomed the dele
| gates on behalf II the State He said the Con-
| cress marked IN agricultural, CONNER
! cial and financial history. In the early history
| Of this country such dissentlon and dissatis-
! faction ~ now exists resulted IN revolution.
! The people Of the West were now crying for
relief, but the manner Of relief was sought
not by arms but 10y this dehDera-
! tive congress. Different causes We're as
signed for the expression of Western
interest Let the cause be what IL may the
! effect was the same. There was deep-rooted
! dissatisfaction. and there was unanimous de-
| sire that the evil of depression be abolished,
| and that Western interests be stimulated.
/ Congress had been favorable % the creditor
| clas.i, and the West was "a heavy debtor IL
| was necessary now for the West to stand to-
! gether. and there were many things that the
/ West desired. the advocacy ~ which should be
] unanimous earnest and continued. The West
wanted free trade with Mexico, Canada and
/ South America. and with all the countries Oi
| the world The West wanted the Mississippi
connected with the Great Lakes II wanted
/ improved waterways; il wanted AN interna-
/ tional railway. 40 that one could step on
vestibule train at Kansas CITY and step of it
az Buenos Ayrts. II wanted fuller volume
/ of currency. These were things that would
relieve the distressing condition II affairs.
and they were thugs which the West must
/ act together upon. -
| Dwight Thatcher, Of Topeka, welcomed the
/ delegates in behalf Of the State Of Kansas.
/ Adjournment was then taken till o'clock
/ tins afternoon.
LETTERS OF REGRET READ.
Upon reassembling letters Of regret were
read from those who mad been given special
| invitations to attend the Congress.
Among the letters was one from President
| Harrison.
! A letter was also read from Hon. J. NJ
| Rusk. Secretary Of Agriculture. He suggested
/ that prominence be given 10 the discussion Of
/ those questions affecting the agricultural in
terests of the country. for the reason that
prosperous agricultural condition will insure
/ prosperity in all other branches Of industry
/ He suggested the subjects Of 'Iranspor-
tation. Markets and Federal and State
| Statistics as the pivotal questions affecting
! the farmers The large surplus of agricultu-
rel products i'm the West must be sold
| in distant markets and the manufactured
products must be brought from distant
] sources making the question of transpOrta-
tion especially important 10 the Western
/ farmer Reliable statistics touching the sup
/ plies and demands. not only o. our own, but
| 10 all foreign countries. Is highly essential The
/ removal of foreign prohibtory laws against
/ American livestock interests Is dwelt upon
| al length The result of recent negotiation
] fFrtfr frrt.u
ING these prohibitions through guarantees
/ that shipments of American live stock and
/ animal and meat products shall receive an
/ inspection ~ thorough rs that exercised over
! food products in any foreign country. lhe
! same INTEGRITY should apply 10 our agTicul-
\ tural products We must study the wants Of
/ the markets of the world. the tastes Of the
| consumers and prepare 10 meet these condl-
tons We must cultivate demand for these
! products i'm the most finished form. thus re-
| ducing bulk, and consequently the cost Of
| transportation.
Senator Pfrder: IF Kansas. has written re-
| GREETING his inability 10 be- present and eX-
| pressing the hope for the highest results Of
| the meeting. John b. Farrell. the dry goods
/ merchant Of Chicago sent "A letter on the sub
/ iect of the cause and effects OF the business
/ combination.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was called 10 order at
! 3 o'clock.
| The committee on credentials made It's re-
port after which the committee Oh permanent
| organization reported for permanent officers
as follows Permanent Chairman, Governor
| u. X. Francis. of Missouri Permanent Secre-
| tarv. John W Springer, of Illinois; Vice
! Presidents. one from each State. Committee
on rules and order and bu~ines, and commit
| tee on resolutions were similarly appointed.
After Governor Francis was escorted to the
/ chair he made a short speech and then called
| for the reading of the letters Of regret from
various parties. The letter Of President Har-
rison was read But as IL was getting very
| late il was decided to refer the other letters
and papers 10 the committee on ru lcs and
! order Of business. which should set the time
! for their presentation. The Congress then
adjourned until A, NJ. tomorrow.
A GHfSTLf SIGHT.