Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-02
sTANARD ELECTED PRESIDENT.
Speeches Made by Ex-Attorney Genera
Miller and John X. Wilson.

Speeches Made by Ex-Attorney General
Miller and John II. Wilson.
A permanent organization was eff
fected by the election of Ex-Governor
Stanard, Of Missouri. chairman, and
Secretary Smith. of the Indianapolis
board of trade. secretary. w. II. H.
Miller. ex-attorney general Of the Unit
ed States. was then introduced, and
after referring to the country financial
condition, said: 1.-The remedy for this
condition of things is mainly with the
states. The national government can
by legislation deal with the subject
only within very narrow limits. What
kind of legislation is required, whether
penal or civil, or both, and what change
of direction. if any. is needed in the
courts, is in the nature of prescription
rather than Of diagnosis. and hence
not within my province. One thing,
however. is clear. This remedy must
be furnished or consequences not to
be thought Of with complacency are not
remote. You. gentlemen, in your sew
eral localities can help to inaugurate
this most necessary movement"
John R. Wilson, Of this city, who
was secretary of the National" DEM
ocratic party, was then introduced and
made the principal address of the day.
1t was an able paper and was warmly
applauded. Wilson outlined the origin
of the movement, discussed the need
OF currency reform, and why the COM
mercial classes should take the lead:
stated why the movement was in the
right direction. and then coming to
the reason why congress should well
come such aid, said:
I'VE believe congress win welcome
all intelligent aid in dealing with the
reform of the currency. 1t is I'M
fortunate, but true, that our national
congress each year exhibits an increas-
ing inability to legislate efficiently con-
corning such matters. This is not due
SO much to the want of talent in its
membership. but rather to the enor-
nous and constantly increasing mass
of routine business, prevalence of par
ty spirit and domination Of party
methods, which in legislation consume
time in manoeuvering to obtain ad-
vantage for the next campaign, to-
gether with the prevailing mode of
committee action under a set Of rules
which no one seems to be able to re-
FORM"
In conclusion Wilson outlined the op-
with. stated that reform Of the cur
rency would not necessarily prevent all
commercial crises. and suggested what
should be the character and compost
ton of the commission. Smalley, of
St. Paul, then introduced a resolution
calling a conference Of representatives
of commercial bodies in all cities of
over $4,000 Inhabitants to meet in In
danapolis, which was adopted.
A resolution was then adopted that
IAN executive committee, consisting of
one member from each of the COM
mercial bodies represented in this con-
ference shall be appointed by the chair,
which shall take charge Of and ar
range all the preliminary. details de-
manded by the call this day made for
a convention of the representatives of
the commercial bodies Of the country"
etc.
Also that the convention be held in
this city Jan. 8. 1897. An executive COM
mittee was then appointed. Of which
the following are some OF the men,
bers: Chicago. p. B. Weare: Grand
Rapids. w. H Anderson: Indianapolis,