Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-15
THE WEST AND SOUTH
PRESIDENT HARRISON TO THE COM
MERciAL CONGRESS.

rnr telerraph o the pIspa.eh.l

1fIIlbDIlt1s LUG 0tic kntAbnS aAt tOAA Rgo1A
mainly Of businessmen appointed by the
Governors Of the various States and are
representatives Of the western and south
ern 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
opening Of the convention mail was dis
tributed 70 various delegations.
wfcxLuTz, OF NEW ORLEANS. APPLkUDED.
When the name of John G. Wickliffe. of
New Orleans was called, his name was
recognized as that of one Of tie leaders OF
the citizens OF New Orleans who executed
thy Italians charged with Chief Hennes-
sey's death. When ne stepped to the stage
his appearance was greeted with applause.
Without acknowledging this he quickly
resumed his seat.
KELLEY TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
The convention was called to order by
State Senator Kelley, of Kansas. he in
troduced the Rev. DIR. Hays. OF this city,
who offered prayer. The convention then
proceeded to 8 temporary organization.
On motion of Governor Francis, OF Mis-
souri,. Senator Kelley was chosen tempo
rary chairman. In a long speech Of &C
| ceptance he explained the object OF the
Congress to be the consideration OF vari-
Gus questions of peculiar interest to the
West and South.
Mr.. Kelley laid all the blame Of agricul-
| tural depression upon too small clrcu,
lating medium. As relief he suggested
the free coinage of silver-the raising OF
silver money TO the standard OF gold.
Hon. John w. Springer, OF Illinois, was
elected temporary secretary.
The Chairman then presented
GOVERNOR FRANCIS, OF MISSOURI,
H.. a 1olo an, haholf az
| the State. He said the congress marked
| q new era in agricultural, commercial, and
| financial history. In the early history of the
country such dissenslon and dissatIstac-
| ton as now exist resulted in revolution.
The people of the West were now crying
for relief, but the manner OF relief was
| sought not by arms. but by this dellbera--
tive body. Different causes we're assigned
for the depression of western interests.
| Let the cause be what II may, the effect
was the same. There was deep-rooted dis
| satisfaction and there was a unanimous
desire that the evil of depression be aboi-
ished and that western interests be stimu-
lated. Heretofore Federal legislation had
been in the interests of the East. Congress
had been favorable TO the creditor class
and the West was a heavy debtor.
WESTERN NEEDS.
II was easy now for the West TO stand
| together, and there were many things that
| the West desired in the advocacy OF
which she should be earnest and lnsistent.
| The West wanted free trade with Mexico,
with Canada and South America, and with
| all the countries of the world. The West
wanted the Mississippi connected with
| the Great Lakes. II wanted improved
waterways. 1t wanted an international
railroad. so that one could step on yesti-
| buled train at Kansas City and step off at
1 IA .-...sA.I f,t1lor t-olnTna
| of currency. These were things that
would relieve the distressing condition OF
affairs, and these were things that the
| West must act together upon.
| T. Dwight Thatcher, of Topeka. well
| coined the delegates on behalf Of the State
| of Kansas.
An adjournment was then taken until 2
o'clock this afternoon.
LETTER PROM THE PRESIDENT.
] Upon reassembling letters of regret were
4 read from those who had been gwen spe-
| cial invitation TO attend the congress.
| Among the letters was one from President
Harrison. Following is the Presidents
| letter: ,
WASHINGTON, d. g., April z, 1891. !
| To Hon. H. b. Kelley Chairman, Kansas city, No.;
| Dear Sir,-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt OF your letter Of March gath inviting me
1 10 utttnQ the Iltttluk VI tut NOiuAhotNA1lCY I'm
/ gress OF the Western Agricultural and Mining
| States 20 assemble I'm Kansas City April l4th 10
| 10Th, for the purpose OF considering measures
affecting the general agricultural ana business
prosperity OF the Mississippi-Valley states re-
greet that Il will not be possible for me 20 accept
| this invitation. II am not detained here by
| public business I shall probably start about that
| time for the Pacific coast by the southern I0ute,
and II that purpose should be thwarted II Will be
| by considerations that will also prevent the &C
oeptance OF your invitation.
| THE NECESSITY or LARGER MARKETS.
A public discussion OF the conditions affecting
| agricultural and business prosperity cannot but
be helpful II Il Is conducted on broad lines and 10
| hospitable TO differences Of opinion The extra
| ordinary development Of the productions OF agrl-
| culture which has taken place in recent period
in this country by reason OF the RAPID eniarge-
land laws of the United States very naturally
has called attention 70 tho value, and indeed, the
! necessity OF larger markets. ] am one OF those
| who believe that home market Is necessarily the
| best market for the producer, as IL measurably
| emanclpates him In proportion 10 us hearhess
from the exactions Of the transportation COM
| panies.
THE HoMR-NARKET IDEA
II the farmer could deliver his surplus pro
| duce TO the consumer out Of his farm wagon his
| Independence and his profits would be larger
| and surer. II seems 70 me quite impossible 70
| attain largely increased market for our staple
farm products without impairing the home mar
ket by opening the manufacturing trades 20 a
| competition In which foreign producers, paying
a lower scale Of wages, would have the advantage.
| A policy that would reduce the number OF our
| people engaged In mechanical pursuits or dim
| Irish their ability 10 purchase food-producfs by
| reducing by reduce wages cannot be- helpful 10
those now engaged In agriculture.
THINGS MAY BE TOO CHEAP.
Tho farmers insist that the price OF farm pro-
! ducts have been too low-belOw the point OF fair
living and fair profits. think 50, too, but VEN
ture TO remind them that the plea they make
! involves the concession that things may be too
| cheap. A coat may be too cheap as well as
| corn. The farmer who claims good living and
| profits for his work should concede the Same 70
| eyory other man and woman Who tolls. look
| with great confidence 10 the completion Of
further reciprocal trade arrangements, especially
| with the Central and South American States, as
| furnishing new and large markets for meats,
breadstuffs, and an important line OF manu-
| featured products.
AMERICAN MEATS AND LIVE CATTLE IN EUROPE.
Persistent and earnest efforts are also being
| made and a considerable measure OF success
has already been attained 70 secure tho removal
OF restrictions which we have regarded as unjust
! upon the admission and use Of our meats and
live cattle in some OF the European countries.
look with confidence 10 a successful termination
| OF the pending negotiations, because cannot
| but assume that when the absolutely satisfactory
| character of the sanitary inspections now pro
| yided by our law Is made known 20 these foreign
States they will promptly relax their discrimi-
| mating regulations No effort ana none OF the
4
used 10 secure an end which Is so desirable.
THK CURRENCY.
Your deliberations will probably also embrace
the consideration Of the question Of the volume
| ana character OF our currency. II will not be
possible and would not be appropriate for me IN
| This letter 70 enter upon any elaborate discus
sion of these questions One or two things will
saw and first, / believe that every person Who
thouehtfuily considers the question VIII agree
| with nae upon proposition which Is AZ the base
OF an nay consideration Of the currency ques-
| tlon-namely, that any dollar, paper or coin.
that Is issued by the United States must DO
made and kept In Its commercial uses as good as
anv other dollar. SO long as any paper money
| tssued or authorized by the United States Gov
| eminent Is accepted in commercial use as the
equivalent Of the best coined dollar that we issue,
| and 40 long as every coined dollar issued,
whether OF silver or gold, IL Of Of an equal value
IN commercial use there need be no fear as 70
an excess Of money. The more such money the
better.
THE RREpKENAsLE DOLLAR
put. on the other hand, when any issue Of pa
| ner on coined dollars Is, In buying and selling,
rrcted nj a less value than other paper OF coined
dollars. we have passed the limit OF safe expert
| ynent Ia finance. If we have dollars OF different
ill d. lat Ms