Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-04-15
COMMERCIAL CONGRESS.
The Meeting In Kansas City Yesterday.
President Harrison's Letter.

lKANsAs CITY, Mo, April l4.-Tne
first Western States Commercial Con-
gress convened at noon to-day, at the
Opera House, with delegates from
twenty-four Western and Southern
States and Territories.
The delegations are composed mainly
OF business men appointed by the Gov
ernors of the various States and are rep
resentative Of the Western and South
ern people. The convention was called
for 10 o'clock, but 1t was nearly noon
when the chairman OF the Executive
COMMITTEES raped for order. Just
before the formal convention, mail
was distributed to delegates. When
the name of John c. Wickliffe, Of New
Orleans, was called, his name was rec
ognized as that of one Of the leaders Of
the citizens of New Orleans who exc.
cuted the eleven Italians charged with
Chief Hennessey's death. When he
stepped to the stage his appearance
was greeted with applause. Without
acknowledging it he quickly resumed
his seat. The convention was called TO
order by State Senator Kelly, OF Kan
Sas. BY 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.
Mr.. Kelly laid all the blame OF agricul-
tural depression upon a too small cir
culatng medium. As relief he sug-
gested the recoinage of silver, the rails
ing OF silver money TO standard gold.
Hon. John w. Springer, Of Illinois, was
elected temporary secretary. Governor
Francis, Of Missouri, then spoke. He
said the Congress marked new era in
agricultural, commercial and financial
history. In the early history OF the
country such disSensiOa and dissatiSfac-
tion 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 dellber-
ative congress. 1t was necessary now
for the West TO stand together and
there were many things that the West
desired in the advocacy OF which should
be unanimous, earnest and continued.
The West wanted free trade with Mex
leo and Canada and South America, and
with all the countries of the world.
The West wanted the Mississippi con-
nected with the great lakes. 1t wanted
fuller volume of currency. These were
things that would relieve the distress
ing condition of affairs, and these were
things that the West must act together
upon.
Adjournment was then taken until
two o'clock this afternoon. Upon reas-
sembing letters of regret were read
from those who had been given special
invitations to attend congress. Among
the letters was one from President
Harrison.
After expressing regret at his inabili-
ty to be present, and reference TO the
reciprocity negotiations with the Cen
tral and South American republics, the
President refers to the question Of
finances, and concludes as follows:
ut is very easy under the impulse OF
excitement or the stress OF money strin-
gency TO fall into the slough Of de-
preciaten or lrredeemable currency. 1t
is a very painful and slow business TO
get out when once in. have always
believed and do now more than ever be-
lieve in bi-metallism, aud favor the full
est use of silver In connection with our
currency that is compatible with
the maintenance Of the parity Of the
gold and silver dollar in their CONNER
mercial uses. Nothing, in my judg
ment, would 50 much retard the restor-
aticn Of the free use of silver by the
commercial nations of the world as leg
islation adopted by us that would result
In placing this country upon a basis OF
silver mOnOmetaiSm.
"The legislation adopted by the first
session of the Fifty-frst Congress,
was assured by leading advocates ot
free coinage and representatives Of sill
yer States, would promptly and perma-
nently bring silver to l29 per ounce and
keep it there. That anticipation has
not been realized. Our larger use Of
silver has apparently, and for reasons
not yet egreed upon, diminished the de-
mand for silver in China and India"