The record-union., 1891-04-15
Special to the REcoRp-uS1or.

Sdlu 10 Do benSIclal'
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
KANSAS CITY, April 1.-THE first
Western States Commercial Congress
opened in this city to-day.
The need Of the congress, as set forth in
che Kansas Legislatures resolution, was
suggested by a demand coming from the
people for clearer light upon those ques
tions which affect their material welfare.
The West and South are seeking adjust
ment to the conditions which result from
their marvellous growth, and to promote
that end will be one of the objects of the
convention. The interests of the two sec
tions are reciprocal, and the welfare of
both demands closer commercial rela-
tions. The congress viii not be wholly a
Western affair. There will be read pa
pers from Erastus Wiman on "Reciproc-
ity," Edward Atkinson on "The Money
Question:" and several from other prom
inent Fasteners.
Delegates are present from the follow
ing States and Territories: California,
Washington, Idaho, Colorado, New Mex
leo, wyoming, Montana, Kansas, Iowa,
Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Wiscon-
sin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louis
lana, Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma.
The convention was called to order by
State Senator Kelly of Kansas. He in
troduced the Rev. DR.. Hayes of this city,
who offered a prayer. The convention
then proceeded to a temporary organiZa-
ton, Senator Kelly was chosen Temper
ary Chairman. In long speech Of ac-
ceptance he explained the object of the
congress to be the consideration Of vari-
Gus questions of peculiar interest to the
West and South.
Kelly laid all the blame of the agricult-
ural depression upon the too small cir
culating medium. AS a relief, he sug-
gested the recOinage of silver, the raising
of silver money to the standard Of gold.
John w. Springer of Illinois was
elected temporary Secretary.
NEW ERA MARKED.
The Chairman then presented Governor
Francis, who welcomed the delegates in
behalf of Missouri. He said the congress
has marked new era i'll agricultural,
commercial and financial history. In the
early history of the country such dissen-
sions and dissatisfaction as 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 by this deliberatiVe congress-
depression of Western interests. Hereto
fore Federal legislation has been in the
interests of the East. 1t is necessary now
for the West to hang together, and there
were many things the West desired. the
advocacy of which should be unanimous,
earnest and continued. The West wanted
free trade with Mexico, Canada and
South America and with all the countries
of the world. The West wanted the Mis-
sissippi connected with the Great Lakes
1t wanted improved Waterways. 1t
wanted an international railway, it
wanted a fuller volume of currency
These were things that would relieve the
distressing condition of affairs and these
wore things that the West must act to-
gether upon.
T. Dwight Thacher of Topeka well
coined the delegates in behalf of Kansas.
An adjournment was then taken until 2
o'clock this afternoon.
PRESIDENT HARRIsoN's LETTER.
Upon reassembling letters of regret
were read, among them being one from
President Harrison, which was in sub
stance as follows:
The public discussion of conditions
affecting agricultural and business pros
perity cannot but be helpful, if conducted
on broad lines and is hospitable to the
differences of opinion. The extraordi-
nary developments in the production of
recent period in this country, by reason
of the rapid enlargement OF the area for
tllage, under the favoring land laws of
the United States, very naturally called
attention to the value, and, indeed, the
necessity of larger markets.
81 am one Of those who believe the
home market necessarily the best for pro
ducers, as it measurably emancipates
him, in proportion 10 its neaFness, from
the eXactions of the transportation COM
panies. If the farmer could deliver his
surplus produce to the consumer out of a
farm wagon, his independence and his
profits would be larger and surer. 1t
seems to me quite possible TO attain a
largely increased market for our staple
farm products, without impairiug the
home market, by opening the manufact-
urlng trades to competition in which the
foreign producers, paying a lower scale OF
wages would have the advantage
"A policy that would reduce the num-
Der of our people engaged in mechanical
pursuits, or diminish their ability to pur-
chase food products by reducing wages,
cannot be helpful 10 those now engeged
in agriculture. The farmers insist that
the prices of products have been too low
below the point of fair living and fair
profits. | think so too, but | venture TO
remind them the plea they make involves
a concession that things may be too
cheap, as well as corn. The farmer who
claims a good living and profits for his
work should concede the same to every
other man and woman who tolls"
The President continues by saving he
looks with great confidence TO 1.-THE de-
velopments of reciprocal trade relations
with Central and South America and the
removal Of European restrictions on our
meats and cattle. No effort. and none of
the powers vested in the Executive would
be left unused TO secure the end which
Is so desirable.
ABOUT CURRENCY.
'Your deliberations will probably also
embrace the consideration of the cues
ton of the volume and character of oul
currency. 1t will not be possible and
would not be appropriate for me in this
letter TO enter upon any elaborate discus
eion of these questions. one or two
things | viii say, and first, / believe that
every person who thoughtfully considers
the question viii agree with me upon the
proposition which is at the base of all nay
consideration of the currency question,
namely, that any dollar, paper or coin
issued by the United States, must be
made and kept in its commercial uses as
good as any other dollar. So long as any
paper money issued or authorized by the
United States Government is accepted in
commercial uses as an equivalent of the
best coined dollar that we issue, and SC
long as every coined dollar, whether ot