Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-04-16
THE VESTS NEEDS
Opening Of the Commercial Con-
gress at Kansas City.
Twenty-Four States and Territories
Send Delegates-Interesting Let
ter from President Harrison.
HIS VIEWS on IMPORTANT TOPICS.

U
KANSAS CITY, Mo, April 15.-The
first western states commercial con-
gress convened at noon at the Coates
opera house, with delegations pres
ent from the following twenty-four
western and southern states and
territories: California, Washington,
Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyo-
ming, Montana, Kansas Iowa, Ne
braska, Missouri, Minnesota. Wiscon-
| sin, Michigan, Illinois. Indiana, Ohio,
Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama; Missis-
sippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas and
Oklahoma. The delegations are COM
posed mainly of business men appointed
! by the governors of the various states
and are representative of the western
and southern people.
Just before the convention was called
to order the mail was distributed to va
rious delegates. When the name of John
c. Wiclxlitfe of New Orleans was called,
his name was recognized as that of
one of the leaders of the citizens of
| New Orleans, who executed the eleven
| Italians charged with Chief Hennes-
sey's death. When he stepped to the
stage his appearance was greeted with
! applause Without recognizing it he
resumed his seat quickly.
The convention was called to order
by State Senator Kelly of Kansas. He
introduced Rev. Dr. Hayes, of this
city, who offered d prayer The
convention then proceeded to tenn
! porary organization. On motion of
! Gov. Francis, of Missouri, Senator
Kelly was chosen temporary chairman.
In a long speech of acceptance he ex-
/ planned the object of the congress to be
the consideration of various questions of
| peculiar interest to the west and south.
The chairman then presented Gov.
| Francis, of Missouri. who welcomed
the delegates on behalf of the state. He
said that the congress marked new
era in agricultural, commercial and
financial history In the early his
tory of the country such dissension
and dissatisfaction as now exists re-
suited 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 congress DiffeF-
ent causes were assigned for
/ the depression of western interests. Let
the cause be what it may, the effect
was the same. There was deep-rooted
dissatisfaction and there was unani-
nous desire that the evil of depres-
sion be abolished, and that western
interests be stimulated. Heretofore
federal legislation has been in the in
terests of the east. Congress has been
favorable to the creditor class and the
west was heavy debtor 1t W as neces-
sary now for the west to stand togeth-
er, and there We're many things that
the west desired the advocacy of
which should be unanimous, earnest
and continued. The west wanted free
trade with Mexico to Canada, and
South America, and all the coun-
wanted the Mississippi connected
with the great lakes, 1t wanted
improved waterways 1t wanted
an international railway. so that one
could step on vestibule train at Kan
| sas City and step off it at Buenos
Ayres 1t wanted fuller volume
Of currency. These were things
that would relieve the distressing
condition Of affairs and these were
things on which the west must act to-
gether
L. d. Wight Thatcher welcomed the
delegates in behalf OF the state of Kan
sas. An adjournment was then taken
until o'clock p. m.
Upon reassembling letters of regret
were read from those who had been
given special invitations to attend the
congress Among the number was a
letter from President Harrison. 1t was
as follows:
"EXEcUrIvE MANSION, WASHINGTON, April
T. To Hon. H H. Kelly, chairman, Kansas
City Mo. Dear Sir: / have the honor to &C
knowledge the receipt Of your letter Of March
"a, inviting me to attend the meeting OF the
commercial congress OF the western
agricultural and mining states to as
semble in Kansas City April IA to 10
for the purpose Of considering meas
ures affecting the general agricultural
business prosperity Of the Mississippi Valley
states. ] regret that it viii not be possible for
me to accept this invitation. II I am not de-
tanned here by public business shall probably
start about that time for the Pacific coast by
the Southern Pacific route, and If that purpose
should be thUarted II will be by considerations
that will also prevent the acceptance OF your
invitation
"A public discussion Of the conditions affect
ing agricultural and business prosperity cannot
but be helpful, il it IS conducted broad
lines ana is bospitable to differences Of
opinion The extraordinary developments
Of production Of agriculture which has
taken place in recent periods in
this country by reason Of the rapid
enlargement Of the area Of tillage, under the
fayoring laws Of the United states, very nat
urally has called attention 10 the value and
indeed the necessity, Of larger markets.
am one OF those VINO believe that home
market IS necessarily the best market for
the producer, as il measuraoly emancipates
him, in proportion 70 its nearness from
the exactions Of the transportation compa-
MES. If the farmer 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 possible
20 attain a largelE increased mArkat tnr our