The morning call., 1891-04-15
VITAL QUESTIONS.
Commercial Congress Of West
ern States.
President Harrison Touches Upon In
porant Issues Of The Day.
An Interesting Letter From Charles Francis
Adams Agricultural Depression
and Its Causes.
Epecial to THE MORNING CALI

as set forth in the Kansas Legislatures reso-
luton, was suggested by demand coming
from the people for clearer light upon those
questions which affect their material well
fare. The West and South are seeking ad-
iustment of the conditions which result from
their marvellous growth, and to promote that
end will be one OF the objects of the conven-
ton. The interests Of the two sections are
reciprocal, and the welfare OF both demands
closer commercial relations. The congress
will not be wholly Western affair. There
will be read papers from Erastus Wiman on
Reciprocity" Edward Atkinson on THE
Money Question" and several from other
prominent Easteruers.
Delegates are present frcm the following
ington, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico
Wyoming, Montana, Kansas, Iowa, Ne
braska, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Ten
nessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma.
The convention was called to order by
State Senator Kelly of Kansas. He intro
duced the Rev. Dir. Hayes of this city, who
offered prayer. The convention then pro-
ceeded to- temporary organization. Senator
Kelly was chosen temporary Chairman. In
a long speech OF acceptance he explained
the object Of the congress to be the consid-
Grafton Of various questions Of peculiar in
terest to the West and South.
AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION.
Kelly laid all the blame If the agricul-
tural depression upon the too small circu-
lating medium. As a relief he suggested
the Iecoinage of silver, the raising OF silver
money 10 the standard of gold.
John W. Springer Of Illinois was elected
temporary Secretary.
The Chairman then presented Governor
Francis, who welcomed the delegates on be-
half cf Missouri. be said the congress has
marked a Dew era in agricultural, CONNER
cial and financial history. In the early his
tory of the country such dissensicns and
dissatisfaction as BOW existed 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
deliberatve congress. Different ca lSeS
were assigned for the depression OF West
ern interests. Heretofore Federal lcgi,la-
ton has been IN the interests of the East.
1t is necessary now for the West to stand
together, and there were many things the
West desired, the advocacy Of which should
be unanimous, earnest aud continued. The
West wanted tree trade with Mexico, Can
ada and South America and with all the
countries of the world. The West wanted
the Mississippi connected with the Great
Lakes. 1t wanted improved waterways.
1t wanted international railways. 1t want
ed a fuller volume Of commerce. These
were things that would relieve the distress
Ing condition Of affairs, and these were
things that the West must act together
upon.
Z. Dwight Thacher of Topeka welcomed
the delegates in behalf Of Kansas. An ad-
j0mnment was then taken until o'clock
this afternoon.
Upon reasscmbling letters of regret were
read, among them being one from President
Harrison, in which he said
PRESIDENT HARRIsoN's LETTER
Tie public discussion Of conditions affecting
agricultural and business prosperity cannot but
be helpful, II conducted on broad lines aud Is
hOspltable to the difieIe ences Of opinions The
eXtraor binary developments In the production OF
agriculture which have taken place In a recent
period IN this country by reason of the rapid
enlAi cement OF The area for Itlluge, under the
favoring land laws OF lie United States, very
naturally called attention 10 The value, and, In
deed, the necessity for larger markets.
am one OF those who believe The home market
necessarily the best for prO1ucer, AS 1t measur-
ably emancipales HIM, in proportion TO its near
peSS, IRON the e&actlnns OF lie transportation
companies. If The farmer could deliver his sur
plus produce 10 Tie consumer out OF a farm
wagon, his Independence and his profits would
be larger and surer. Ii seems 10 me quite pos
Slbie 10 attain largely Increased market for our
staple farm products, without impairinR The
home market by opening The manufacturing
trades TO competition In which III" foreign pro-
duceis. paying lower scale of wages, would
have Tie advantage.
policy thai would reduce the number Of our
PEOPLE engaged IN mechanical pui suits, or d.
minlsh ihcii ability 10 purchase food products
By reducing wages, cannot be Helpful TO those
now engaged In agriculture. The farmers in.
lEf fIf.Tf fIta Elnna hsatga
far below the point OF fair living and fair profits
/ think so too, but venture 10 remind them that
lie plea they make involves concession that
other things may be too cheap, as well as corn.
The farmer Who claims good living and profits
for lis work should concede the same to every
other man and woman who rolls.
The President continues by saying he
looks with great confidence to "the develop
ments of reciprocal trades relations with
Central and South America and the removal
of European restrictions on our meats
and cattle No effort, and none of the
powers vested in the Executive, will be left
unused to secure the end which is so de-
sirable. The letter continues:
Your deliberations will probably also embrace
the consideration OF the question OF the volume
and character Of oVr currency. 1t will not be
possible and would not be app Opiae for inc IN
This letter 10 enter uI.oD any elaborate discussion
Of these questions. One uf TWO things Will say
and hrsi, l believe that every person who
thOughlfuly considers tie question will agree
with me upon Tie proposition which tn at thi
base OF all my consideration Of the currency
Que siiOn, namely, That any dollar, paper or coin
issued by The United States must be made and
Kept In It's CONNER cal uses as good as any other
dollar. so long as any paper m0hey issued or
authorized by The Unite States Government is
accepted in cOmnieicia uses as an equivalent of
The best coined dollar that we issue, and so long
AS every coined dollar whether of silver or gold
Is assured of equal value In CONNIE cial use
there need be no fear as tu the excess of money
The more such money The better. But on the
other hand, when any issue OF paper or coined
dollars IN buying and selling is rated al less
value than the 0iber paper or coined dollars We
have passed The Emit OF sale experiment in
finance. If we have dollars Of different values
only lie poorest Will circulate.
BANKERS PROFIT by FLUCTUATIONS.
To the farmer and laborer, who are not In
hourly touch with The ticker OF telegraph, a dol
lar is iull OF value. The fluctuations and deprr-
Citations always at first cost these classes OF our
community. The banker and speculaior anticl-
pate discount and afieIward profit Ly such fiuc-
tuatIOns. l have always believed, and do now
more Than ever believe, In bimetalllsm aud iavor
tile fullest use OF silver IN connection with our
currency that Is com atibe with The mainten-
aDce Of the parity Of The gold aud silver dollar III
their commercial uses Nothing In my Judgment
would SO much ietard tie restoration OF the
world as legislation adopted by us that would
result in placing This country upon the basis of
silver. The mOuOnetalsm legislation adopted
by The FIRST session OF The Filly.first Congress l
Was assured by leading advocates of free COIN
age. representatives from The silver States would
promptly aud permanently bring silver to 129
pei ounce and keep IL there. I hat anticipation
has not been realized. Our larger use OF silver
has apparently, and for reasons not agreed upon,
diminished the demand for silver III China aud
India.
In view OF The facI that It Is impossible In this
lelter To elaborate, and that propositions only
can be stated, am aware that what have said
may be assailed IN points where 1t Is easily de-
fensfble, but where l Daye not attempted to
present argument. have not before, excepting
in an official way, expIessed myself on the sub
jeet; but feeling The interest, dignity and inl-
porlapce OF The assenblage III whose behalf you
speak, / have venluIed, without blgotry OF
opinion, without any assumption OF infaliibllity,
but as an American citizen, having the most
earnest desire that every individual and every
public act OF my life shall conduce 10 the glory
Of our country and The prosperity of all our
people, 10 submit these views for your c0nsidera-
tion.
SECRETARY RUsK's SUGGESTIONS.
A letter was also read from j. NJ. Rusk,
Secretary OF Agriculture. He suggests that
prominence be given to the discussion Of