The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-15

any assumption Of infaIlfbi,ify. but a. an
American citizen With the most earnest desire
that every individual and every public act of
my Life shall condnce 10 the glory Of our eoun-
Try and the prosperity OF ali our psoplc. TO sub
NIT these views sor yonr consideration"
A letter was also read from ]. M.
Rusk, secretary OF agriculture 1t suggests
that prominence be given to the discussion
Of those question affecting the agricultural
interests of the country, for the reason
that prosperous agricultural condition
Will insure prosperity in all branches Of
industry. lie suggests the subjects,
Transportation" Markets" and '.Fed-
eral and State Statistics" as pivotal ques-
tons affecting the farmers.
NJ. II. de Young, of San Francisco, sent
paper on Irrigation Senator PETER.
OF Kansas, wrote. expressing q hope that
the congress would result in bringing the
people Of the West and South into closer
social and commercial relations.
Charles Francis Adams, of Boston. wrote
that while he recognized the hardships of
the present situation in the West, he did
not believe any action except individual
action was necessary for remedy. With
the very general popular idea that the gov
eminent is grand paternal do all'' to
protect every one and every thing, and
provide remedies for every i'll that politics
are subject TO, Mr.. Adams does not SYM
pathize. "on the contrary" says he, II
am so anfiqnated IN opinion as to think
that the world is governed altogether too
much, and that il has rarely been governed
so much or so badly as it has been in this
country in the last twenty-five years. III
the people are left alone they will work
out their salvation a great deal quicker
and more satisfactorily than while
the government necessarily encumbers
them with its well-meant but ll-advised
assistance. Mr.. Adams did not believe
there was any general business and agri-
cultural depression except that due to nat
ural and temporary causes. He did not
believe any legislation was required. He
thought improved transportation by land
and water would provide for it under the
laws of supply and demand, if the govern
ment does not continually meddle with it.
Western products would find markets soon
enough If the government would leave the
matter severely alone. The great trouble
with the currency is excessive tinkering.
and If the government would leave it
alone, the internal currency of the
country would supply itself just as per-
fectly as the International currency does.
The manufacturing interests of the coun-
try have always been successfully pro-
NOTED by individuals when the govern
ment left them alone, and every interfer-
ence of the government, from the begin
ming TO the Mckinley bill, had been detri-
rimcntaI to the public interests. The irri-
CATION of the arid lands is settling itself in
Colorado and other states where the gov
ernment leaves it alone. The fewer conn
merciai laws we have the better, and If
there were no commercial laws the COM
munity would be far more prosperous
than it is. The interference of the govern
ment with immigration has been uniformly
mischieyous. Business combinations and
trusts were dangerous to those inside
them. and if left alone by the government
would work nothing bat good, unless per-
verted to some purpose opposed to the
laws of trade, in which case they will in
eyitably sooner or later bring about the
ruin of those concerned in them. The In
dian question and the opening of Indian
lands had been brought into its present
unfortunate condition by government in
reference, and we knew no way of getting
out OF the snarl.
III. X. Thurber. of New York, writing on
business combinations and trusts, said
they were caused by sharp competition.
Their objectswere beneficial TO the producer
and consumer. The aggregation of capital,
skill and experience in almost every branch
of business is for the best interests of the
masses. Papers were read from John v.
Farwell, of Chicago, and others on the
same subject.
Governor Francis was chosen president.
and Temporary Secretary Springer made
permanent secretary. Adjourned.