The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-15
THE west AND SOUTH.
Represented at the Congress in
Kansas City. Which Convened
Tuesday at Noon.
The interests of Agriculture to
Bo the Chief Topic of
Discussion.
The President Writes n Letter ExtollinE
the Beauties Of Protection and
Gold Standard.

Gold Standard.
KANSAS CIrY, April A.-The first western
states commercial congress convened at
noon to-day with delegates present from
the following states and territories: Cali
fornia, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, New
Mexico. Wyoming, Montana. Kansas, Ne
brnska, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky Tennes
see, Alabama, Mississippi. Louisiana, Gsor
gia, Texas and Oklahoma. The convention
was called to order by State Senator Kelly.
OF Kansas. He introduced Rev. Dr. Hayes,
OF this city, who offered prayer The con-
ventlon then proceeded to effect q tempor-
ary organization. Senator Kelly was chosen
temporary chairman. In long speech of
acceptance he explained the object of the
congress to be the consideration of various
questions of peculiar interest to the west
and south. Kelly laid all the blame of agri-
cultural depression upon too small circu-
latinR medium. Asa relief he suggested
the free coinage of silver, the raising of sill
yer money to the standard of gold.
Gov. Francis welcomed the guests on be-
half Missouri. He said the congress marked
new era III agricultural, commercial and
financial history. In the early history of
the country such dissention and dissatis-
faction 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 con-
gress. Different causes were assigned for
the suppression of western interests. Here
tofore federal legislation had been in the
interest of the east. It is necessary now
for the west to stand together and there
were many things on which the west was
united, advocacy of which should be unani
nous, earnest and continued. The west
wanted free trade with Mexico. Ca anada and
South America and with all the
countries of the world. The west
wanted the Mississippi connected
with the great lakes; it wanted improved
water ways; it wanted the international
railway; it wanted fuller volume of cur
rency. There were things that would re-
lleve the distressing condition of affairs
and there were things that the west must
act together upon.
Upon reassembline in the afternoon let
ters OF regret were read. among them being
one from President Harrison. In the
course of his letter the president SAYS
II am one of those who believe the home
market is necessarily the best for produc-
ers, for it usually emancipates him in pro-
portion to its nearness from the exactions
OF transportation companies. If the far
mer could deliver his surplus produce to
the consumer out of his farm wagon. his
independence and his profits would be
larger and surer. 1t seems to me quite pos
sible to attain largely increased market
for our staple farm products without i'm
pairing the home market byopening the man
n IL az tn ,nl,
foreign producers, paving lower scale of
wages, would have the advantage.
"Your deliberations will probably also
embrace consideration of the question of
the volume and character of our currency.
have always believed, and do now more
'he full use of silver in connection with our
that is compatiable with the
of the parity of the gold and |
silver dollar in their commercial uses.
Nothing in my Judgment would 80 much |
'etard the restoration as legislation adopt
ID by US, that would result in placing the
country upon basis of silver monometal-
SIN. The legislation adopted by the first |
'ession of the Fifty-frst congress, was
assured by leading advocates of free COIN |
'ge and representatives of tho silver dollar
tates, would promptly and permanently
BRING silver to l.29 per ounce and keep it
here. That anticipation has not been
Our larger use of silver has
and for reasons not
IRreed upon. diminished the demand for
ilver in China and India. In view of this
act it is impossible in this letter to elabo-
ate, propositions that only can be stated.
am aware that what have said may be
lssalled in points where it is easily defensi-
'le, but where have not attempted to pre-
ent argument. l have not before, except
ng in an official way, expressed myself on
he subject, but feeling the interest, dig
lity and importance of the assemblage in
whose behalf you speak, have ventured
of infallibility, but as an
American citizen, having the most earnest
lesire that every individual and every pub
ic act of my life shall conduce to the
'lory of our country and the prosperity of
III our people, to submit these views for
our consideration"
A letter was also read from j. M. Rusk
ecretary of agriculture. He suggests that
be given to the discussion of
hose questions affecting the agricultural
interests of the country for the reason that
prosperous agricultural condition will
insure prosperity in all other branches of
industry. He suggests the subjects of
ransl ortation markets, and federal and
tate statistics as pivotal questions affect
ng farmers.
M. II. De Young. of San Francisco, sent
paper on irrigation. Senator PETER, of
KANSAS. wrote, expressing hope that the
ongress would result in bringing the peo-
le Of the west and south into closer social
nd commercial relations. Charles Francis
dams. of Boston, wrote that while he
ecognized the hnrdships of the present sit
alton in the west, he did not believe any
ction except individual action was neces-
ary for remedy. With the very general
opular idea that the government is Il
rand paternal do-all to protect
very one and every thing and pro-
lde remedies for every i'll that the body
olltic is subject to, MIR. Adams does not
lmpathize. "On the contrary says he,
l am SO antiquated in opinion as to think
lat the world is governed altogether too
luch, and that it rarely has been governed
much or 40 badly as it has been in this
1untry i'll the last twenty-five years. If
10 people are left alone they will work out
leir salvation great deal quicker aud 5
lore satisfactorily than while the govern I
tent incessantly encumbers them with d
d well-meant, but ill-advised, assist Y
nce.' 4
The great tronble with the CURRENCY is Il
icessive tinkering, and if the government +
ould leave it alone, the internal currency 3
the country would regulate itself just Nv
,rfectly as international currency does.
interests of tho country al
avs have been successfully promoted by
dividuals when tine government had left .
lem alone. and every interference of gov Il
from the beginning to the Nc b
inley bill, had been detrimental to t
iblic interest. The irrigation h
arid lands is settling it {