Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-02-10
THE ST. LOUIS CONFERENCE

President Polk Writes of Its Purposes,
Responsibilities and Possibilities.
Your esteemed favor of the 30th ult
just received. in which you ask my
views as to the great industrial confer
ence to be held in the city of St Louis
on the 22d prox The expression de-
sired you indicate by certain sugges-
tions which / answer in the order in
which you put them.
First THE Importance of the Feb
ruary conference"
1t is important as a declaration that
the great industrial elements of the
American people are dissatisfied with
existing conditions; that unnatural and
ruinous inequalities exist whi h have
produced deadly depression and par
alysis in the wealth-producing energies
of the people, and which should not
and cannot, with safety, be longer
quietly endured. 1t is an orderly and
peaceful appeal for such readjustment
of conditions as will secure to honest
labor, in all departments of industry,
an open field and an equal chance with
all other classes and interests. 1t fore
casts an era of revolution in economic
investigation and research AMI in gov
ernmental policies for fostering a just
and equitable development in our po-
litical and material progress In short,
the convening of the great industrial
organizations on the 22d of February
is calm and deliberate expression on
the part of the conservative laborers
and taxpayers of the United States,
that equality of rights before the
law" must be respected and main
tanned
Second. THE obligations and res
possibilities of those people sending
delegates to that meeting"
This great reform movement is en-
phatically ''of the people, by the peo-
pie, and for the people" and in the
selection of delegates, by whomsoever
made, scrupulous care sh Duld be taken
that only those shoald be chosen who
will patriotically and fait fully repre-
sent the views and sentiments of their
constituents
Third THE responsibilities of the
delegates to their constituency"
The trde relation between a repre-.
sentative and his people who have dele.
gated to him certain prerogatives and
powers, is compact of the most
solemn and responsive character. TIC
be invested with the execution of the
expressed will of his constituents and
with discretionary powers to serve
their best interests, he who shall se
perform these duties as to meet their
| appreciation is deserving of all honor
But if he should disregard or violate
that compact, evade its duties, or be
tray the high trust reposed in him, ht
| would merit the condemnation of al
| honorable men. Voluntarily accepting
the position, he voluntarily assumes al
the responsibilities attaching thereto
and should meet them in the most con
scientious manner
Fourth. THE work to be done by
| the conference, embracing its objec
and purposes
II, after free, full and frank inter.
| change of views of the various organi
| cations and interests there represented
1t is found that we have grievances IN
common and that the evils under which
we suffer are common, we should boldly
make common cause and pledge our
earnes5 and united effort in securing
the rel edy. Oa one thing. doubtless,
all will agree-that the ruinous tnan-
cial depression taat hangs like blight
ing pa over the industrial energies OF
the people, aud which threatens finan-
ciai coavulsion unparalleled in our his
tory, Is directly due {, unjust and dis
crimia ting legislation The most inn
portant work, of the conference will be
to formulate q declaration Of principles
which, il enacted into law. shall re-
store quietude and prosperity TO the