Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-16
THE VESTS DEMANDS
A Market for Its Agricul-
tural Products.
Free Coinage for Its Silver
Bullion.
Emancipation from the Vaccinations
of fMOn0metalists.
Proceedings of the Commercial Congress.
Papers by Edward Atkinson and
Senator Stewart.
Associated Press Dispatches.

KANSAS Cry, Mo-, April 15..--A full
representation OF the western states
commercial congress was present thii
morning, when President Francis called
the second days session to order. The
subject under discussion was the genera
business and agricultural depression
causes and remedy.
FL. Skiff, of Denver, read paper on
Population and Raw Material.
The guests Of the congress were ther
invited to make addresses.
Ex-Governor George w. Click, O
Kansas. said the subject of greatest in
terest to the western farmer was the
great agricultural depression. The
greatest cause of this depression was in
sufficient markets. The remedy was 9
wider field for the disposition of the
farmers surplus. Blaine's reciprocity
schemes and Secretary Rusk's efforts in
extending the markets for live stock,
were partial remedies for the present
depression.
Speaker Miller, OF the Kansas house OF
representatives, said those who had an i'm
perfect knowledge of the situation weie
accustomed to lay the blame upon the
farmer, but there were other conditions,
and they were nearer the root of the
evil. One was the imperfect operation
OF the law Of supply and demand, which
in turn was caused by mercenary con-
solidations of capital by unscrupulous
persons. Such combinations were trusts,
and they were an octopus that fastened
in its grasp the farmer, who, while the
most numerous of all industrial classes,
was at the same time the most helpless,
and OF all men most miserable, f1anked
by speculative boards of trade and
bucket shops which forced false values
upon the people. Another cause of the
depression was too contracted market.
The farmers wanted a widerfeid. They
wanted reciprocity. Reciprocity was a
good thing, and they wanted all they
could get of it. Another way of reliev-
ing the situation was by increasing the
volume of money. Still another was the
combination of the farmers against OPP
posing combinations. The farmers are
now trying the latter method.
Doctor Parsons stated that he was
directed by the secretary of the depart
ment of agriculture to represent that
department at this congress. He spoke
of the causes of depression in the agri-
cultural department. One was the loss
of foreign markets to the farmers, be-
cause diseased cattle would not be
bought. The way to regain the market
was to eradicate disease. DR.. Parsons
explained what the department was
doing in the way of quarantine and
inspection to stamp out diseases among
live stock.
U. S. Hall, president of the Missouri
Farmers alliance, was the next speaker.
The greatest cause of the present de-
preston, he said, was partisan politics.
The last national campaign was fought
on the line OF economis questions.
Other causes of depression were the
high protective tariff, the decreased
volume OF money, and the raising of
freight and passenger rates to pay divi-
dends on watered stock. The remedies
were low tariff, increase in the volume
of the currency, and the regulation of
the railroads so that they could pay
dividends only on the actual capital in
vested. A recess was taken until 2
O'Clock.
EDWAhD . LElIEhs
At the afternoon session letters of re-
gret were read from Edward T. Atkin-
son of Boston and Senator William
Stewart of Nevada.
Mr.. Atkinson said in part:
There is no question pending on which
the future welfare of the people of the
country may 80 much depend, as upon
the legislative treatment of the money
question. What we need in order to as
sure stability in our monetary system,
tesmaintain unit of value on gold
basis and to give elasticity to the circu-
lating medium, are three acts as follows
First. Providing for the free coinage
OF dollars of gold or silver, or just
measure that bullion of either kind shall
be brought to the mints to be converted
into coin, provided such act is accom-
panied by another.
Second. To repeal all acts Of legal
tender, by force of which farmers, me-
chanics, laborers or creditors may be
compelled to accept payment in silver
or gold, at the option OF the debtor.
Third. The repeal of the acts relating
to banking which prevent the issue OF
notes payable in coin on demand, at
such times and in such proportions as
the business of the country may re-
quire.
Mr.. Atkinson deals at length with the
question Of money and credit, and refer
ring to the various gold and silver coins,
certificates and treasury notes of the
United States, says: So long as these
various instruments of exchange are re-
deemable or convertible into one kind
of dollars, and that the best kind; or SO
long as they are equal to each other in
their purchasing power and are kept so
by being kept convertible into the one
metal, gold, or an equivalent which is
the standard of the worlds commerce,
credit may be good and business may be
active. Any doubt of the quality Of
money, impairs credit. The free coin
age of silver dollars without cores
ponding change in the acts of legal ten
der, would be tampering with the unit
OF value, and would be the canse OF
grave discredit. The proposal to open
the riints OF the United States to the
free coinage OF silver dollars, of full legal
tender, under our present statutes. is
but proposal to collect forced loan
from the property, product, wages and