The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-04-22
COMMERCIAL CONGRESS.
DELEGATES FROM TWENTY
FOUR STATES MEET.


Opera House, in this city, says Kansas
City, Mo-, dispatch, with delegations
present from twenty-four states and ter
ritOries
The convention was called TO order by
State Senator Kelly, of Kansas. lie in
troduced Rev. DR.. Hayes, who offered a
prayer. The convention then proceeded
10 temporary organization. On motion
OF Governor Francis, Of Missouri, Sena-
tor Kelly was chosen temporary chair
man. In long speech OF acceptance be
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 the blame Of
agricultural depression upon too small
circulating medium. AS a relief he sug-
gested the recoinage or silver the rails
ing of silver money TO the standard Of
gold.
The Hon. John w. Springer, OF Hi
nois, was elected Temporary Secretary.
The Chairman then presented GOV.
Francis, of Missouri, who welcomed the
delegates on behalf of the State. He
said that the congress marked anew era
in agricultural, commercial and hnRncial
history. In the early history OF the
country such dissension and dissatisfac-
ton 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 deliber-
alive congress- Different causes were
assigned for the depression OF Western
interests. Let the cause be what il
may, the effect was the same. There
was deep-rooted dissatisfaction, and
there was unanimous desire that the
evil OF depression be abolished, and that
WaStnrn Ia no Stimulaf tod Here
tofore Federal legislation has been in
the interests OF the East Congress has
been favorable TO the creditor class, and
the West was a heavy debtor. 1t was
necessary now for the West TO stand
together, and there were many things
that the West desired, the advocacy OF
which should be unanimous, earnest
and continued. The West wanted freer
trade with Mexico, Canada and South
America and all the countries OF tho
world. The West wanted the Misss-
sippi connected with the great lakes. IL
wanted improved railways, so that one
could step on vestibule train at Kansas
City and step off ii at Buenos Ayres. IL
wanted a fuller volume of currency.
These were things that would relieve the
distressing condition OF affairs, anAthese
were things on which the West must act
together.
l.. ID. Wight Thatcher welcomed tho
delegation on behalf Of the State of Kan
sas. An adjournment was then taken
until o'clock in the afternoon.
Upon reassembling letters of regret
were read from those who had been given
special invitations to attend the congress.
Among the number was one from Presi-
dent Harrison, in which he regretted his
inability TO be present in response 10 the
invitation extended him. He also said:
A public discussion OF the conditions affect
Ing agricultural and business prosperity cannot
but be helpful. IL IL is conducted on broad lines
and is hospitable to differences Of opinion. The
extraordinary development OF production of
agriculture which has taken place in recent
period in this country, by reason of the rapid
enlargement OF the area of tillage under the
favoring land laws OF the United States very
naturally has called attention 20 the value ana
indeed, the necessity OF larger markets. i am
one OF those who believe that home market is
necess arily the best market for the producers,
as IL measurably anticipates him, in proportion
10 its nearness, from the exactions OF the trans
portation companies. II the farmer could de-
liver his surplus produce 10 the consumer out
of his farm wagon. his independence ana his
profits would be larger and surer IL seems To
quite possible to attain largely increased
market for staple farm products without
impairing the home marAet by opening the
manufacturing trades 10 IA competition In which
foreign producers paying lower scale Of wages
would have the advantage. A police that would
reduce the number Of our peopls engaged In me-
purchase food products by reducing wages
not be helpful 10 those now engaged IL aCricul-
tire The farmers Insist that the prices OF
farm products have been too lOw-below tho
point OF fair living and fair profits. think so,
too, bat venture 10 remind them that the plea
thoy make involves the concession that things
may be too cheap. coat may be too cheap .
we'll corn. The farmer who claims IA good
living and profits for his work should concede
the same 10 every other man and women who
tolls. l look with great confidence 10 the COM
pletion OF reciprocal arrangements especially
with the Central and South American States as
furnishing and large markets for meats,
breadstufs, aud an important line OF manu-
facturei products. Your deliberations will
probably also embrace the consideration OF the
question of the volume and character Of our cur
rency. II will not be possible ana would no; be
appropriate for me in this letter TO enter upon
any elaborate discussion Of these questions.
one or two things will say, and first believe
that every person who thoughtfully considers
the question will agree with me upon a propo-
sition which is at the base OF all consider,
alton OF the currency question: namely that
any dollar, paper or coin, that is issued by the
United States, must be made and kept in it's
commercial uses as good as any other dollar.
SO long as any paper money issued author
lied by the United States Government is accent
ed in commercial use the equivalent OF the
best coined dollar that we issue and so long as
every coined dollar, whether OF silver gold, is
assured of an equal value in commercial use
there need be no fear rs 10 an excess of money.
The more such money the better But on the
other hand, when any issue OF paper or coined
dollars Is, in buying or selling, rated a. less
Nalae than other papers of coined dollars,
have Iassed the limit of safe experiment in
finance IL we have dollars of different values
only the poorest will circulate The farmer aud
the laborer who are not in hourly touch with
the ticker or the telegraph will require above all
other classes OF our community, dollar OF full
value. Fluctuations and depreciations are al =
ways at the first cost OF these classes OF our :
community. The banker and the Spectator an
ticipate, discount. and often profit by such
fluctuations. II is very easy under the impulse
OF excitement or the stress of money stringency
TO fall into the slough Of deprecated or ire
deemable currency. IL is very painful and slow
business TO get out when once in. have always
believed, and do now more than ever believe in
biInetaliGm and favor the fullest OF
silver in connection with our currency that is
compatible with the maintenance OF the parity
of the gold and silver dollar in their CONNER
cial uses. Nothing, I'm my judgment would so
much retard the restoration OF the free use
OF silver 10y the CONNIE rcial nations OF the,
world rs legislation adopted by us that would
result in placing this country upon a basise8
silver recommendation. The legislation adopte- ,
by the first session OF the Fifty-hrst Congress,
was assured 10y leading advocates Of free coin
age. representatives OF the silver States, would
promptly and permanently bring silver TO l29
a..