Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-04-25
FIRST CONGRESS-
OF the Western States Assemblies
at Kansas City.
MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE
10 the South and West Oonsidered-
Delegates From Twenty-Five States.
A UNANIMOUS DESIRE

That the Evil of Depression be Abolished
and That Western Interests Should be
Stimulated.
KANSAS Cry, April 15.-The first
western States commercial congress
conyened at noon yesterday at the
Coates opera house with delegations
present from the following twenty five
western and southern states and terri
stdsisss Gafffeefaa, Nashington, Idahd,
Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Mon.
tana, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Misso1-
RI, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ill
inois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennes-
see, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma. The
delegations are composed mainly of bus
mess men appointed by the governors
of the various states and are represent;
atlve of the western and southern pe0-
pie. II promises to be one Of the most
notable assemblages of the kind ever
held in the United States.
The convention was called to order at
10 o'clock, but it was nearly noon when
the chairman Of the executive commit
committee raped for order Just be-
fore the formal opening of the conven-
ton mail was distributed to various
delegates, When the name Of John G.
Wycliliffe, of New Orleans, was called,
his name was recognized as that Of one
Of the leaders of the citizens of New Or
leans who executed the eleven Italians,
charged with Chief llennessey's death.
When he stepped to the stage his ap-
pearance was greeted with applause.
The convention was called to order
by State Senator Kelly, of Kansas. He
introduced Rev. DR.. Hayes, of this city,
who offered prayer. The convention
then proceeded to temporary organiza-
ton. BY motion of Gov. Francis, of Mis-
souri,, Senator Kelly was chosen tenn
porary chairman. In his speech Of az
ceptance he explained the object of the
congress to be the consideration of vari-
ous questions of peculiar interest to the
west and south.
Mr.. Kelly laid all the blame of agri-
cultural depression upon too small
circulating medium. As relief he sug.
gested the recoinage of silver; the rails
ing of silver money to the standard of
gold.
Hon. John W. Springer, of illinois,
was elected temporary secretary. The
chairman then presented Gov. Francis,
of Missouri, who welcomed the dele
gates on behalf of the state. He said
the congress marked an era in agricul.
tural, commercial and financial history
In the early history of the country such
dissensions and dissatisfaction as now
exists resulted in revolution. The peo-
pie of the west were now crying for re-
lief, but the manner of relief was sought,
not by arms, but by this delberative
congress. Different causes were as
signed for the expression of western in
terests Let the cause be what it 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 west
ern interests be stimulated. Heretofore
federal legislation had been in the In.
terest of the east. Congress had been
favorable to the creditor class and the
west was a heavy debtor. 1t was nee.
essary now for them to stand together
and there were many things that the
west desired, the advocacy of which
should be unanimous, earnest and con.
tinued. The west wanted free trade
with Mexico, Canada and South Amer.
lea and with all the countries of the
world. The west wanted the Mississippi
connected with the great lakes. 1t
wanted improved Waterways. 1t
wanted an international railway so that
one could step on a vestibule train at
Kansas City and step off at Buenos
Ayres. 1t wanted a fuller volume of
currency. These were things that would
relieve the distressing condition of af-
fairs and they were things which the
west must act together upon.
T. Dwight Thatcher, of Topeka, well
coined the delegates on behalf of the
state of Kansas. Letters of regret were
read from those who had been given
special invitation to attend the con.
gress Among the letters was one from
President Harrison. A letter was also
read from Hon. j. NJ. Rusk, secretary
OF agriculture.