The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1891-04-18
Western Congress.

ln0 IlT5J western SUdUoS commercial
congress convened in Kansas City Tues
day with delegates present from the fol-
lowing states and territories: California,
Washington, Idaho, Colorado, New
Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Kansas,
Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, Wis
consin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisi-
ana, Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma The
convention was called by State Senator
Kelly, of Kansas, and temporary Or
ganization effected. Senator Kelly was
| chosen temporary chairman. In a long
speech of acceptance he explained the
object of the congress to be the consider
alton of various questions of peculiar in
terest to the west and south. Kelly laid
all the blame of agricultural depression
upon too small circulating medium.
As relief he suggested the free coin
age of silver, the raising OF silver money
to the standard of gold.
Gov. Francis welcomed the guests on
behalf of Missouri. He said the congress
marked new era in agricultural, COM
mercial and financial history. In the
early history of the country such dissen-
ton and dissatisfaction as now exists re-
suited in revolution. The people of the
west we're now crying for relief, but the
manner of relief was sought not by arms
but by this deliberative congress. Diff
ferent causes we're assigned for the sup
preston OF western interests. Hereto
fore federal legislation had been in the
interest of the east. 1t is necessary now
for the west to stand together and there
were many things on which the west
was united, advocacy of which shoGld
be unanimous, earnest and continued.
The west wanted free trade with Mexi-
co, Canada and South America and with
all the countries of the world. The west
wanted the Mississippi connected with
the great lakes; il wanted improved
water ways; it wanted the international
railway; it wanted fuller volume OF
currency. There were things that
would relieve the distressing condition
Of affairs and there were things that
the west must act together upon.
Among letters of regret was 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 producers, for
it usually emancipates him in proper
tion to it's nearness from the exactions
of transportation companies. II 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
possible to attain largely increased
market for our staple farm products
without impairing the home market by
opening the manufacturing trades to
competition in which foreign producers,
paying 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 cur
rency. have always believed, and do
now more than ever believe, in bimetal-
ism and favor the full use of silver in
connection with our currency that Is
compatiable with the maintenance Of
the parity Of the gold and silver dollar
in their commercial uses. Nothing in
nv Judgment would so much retard the
restoration as legislation adopted by us,
that would result in placing the country
upon basis of silver monometalism.
The legislation adopted by the first ses-
sion of the fifty first congress, was as
sured by leading advocates of free coin
age and representatives OF the silver dol
lar states, would promptly and perman
emily bring silver to 1.29 per ounce and
keep it there. That anticipation has
not been realized. Our larger use OF
silver has apparently, and for reasons
not agreed upon, diminished the demand
for silver in China and India. In view of
this fact it is impossible in this letter to
elaborate propositions that only can be
stated. l am aware that what l have
said may be assailed in points where it
is easily defensible, but where have
not attempted to present argument l
have not before, except in an official way,
myself on the subject, but
feeling the interest, dignity and import
ance of the assemblage in whose behalf
you speak, l have ventured without
bigotry of opinion, without any assump-
ton of infallibility, but as an American
citizen, having the most earnest disire
that every individual and every public
act of my life shall conduce to the glory
Of our country and the prosperity OF all
our people, to submit these views for
your consideration"
Letters were also read from j. M.
Rush, secretary Of agriculture, NJ. II.
De Young, Senator PETER and Charles
Francis Adams, H. X. Thurber and John
V. Farwell.