The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-07
Mr.. Hanna's Idea of the Method of De-
vising "a Currency system and
CrystalIizing It Into Law.
HE HAS NO PLAN TO PRESENT
HOW HE WOULD HAVE CONGRESS-
MEN BROUGHT INTO LINE.
Why Commission Is Believed Neces-
sary-Meeting Of the National Dem.
ocratic Executive COMMITTEES.

The movement of the business interests
of the country for national currency reform
upon nonpartisan lines is making a favor
able impression upon the people and bids
fair TO become one of the notable things
in the history of the country. In Indian
apolis, where the lofty motives and patri-
otto purpose of Mr. Hugh III. Hanna aid
the men associated with him in pushing
the project to a successful conclusion are
understood, IT. is but nautral that the busi-
ness community should have the utmost
faith in the belief that an earnest effort
will be made to devise and crystallize into
law currency system that will be for the
benefit Of all classes of citizens rather tnan
for the advantage of any particular line
OF business; but IL is gratifying to the peo-
pie here to know that their efforts are ac-
cepted elsewhere with the same confidence
Mr.. Hanna has opened headquarters at
the Denison House. provided his committee
with working secretary and stenographer.
and will devote much of his time between
now and Jan. II TO the work OF bringing
together a large convention that will in
telligently represent the business interests
of the country. Nobody understands better
than he the magnitude of the task he mas
undertaken chairman of the executive
committee i'm getting together a convention
that will give the proper force TO the move
ment, and is so guiding il that il will not
make mistakes that night lessen the friend
ly public sentiment toward it,
1t is doubtful whether any OF the dele.
gates TO the conference last week have any
idea Of the breadth of the plan Mr.. Hanna
has in mind for accomplishing this REFORM
He has no plan of currency reform that
he desires to submit or push but he has
"a very well-defined plan as to how the busi-
ness interests of the country go about the
business Of devising a plan OF relief and
putting ii into effect He appreciates the
magnitude OF the undertaking "A little bet
ter than any of them. During the confer
ence shere developed a sharp line of differ
ence between those favoring the adoption
of currency plan by the convention. which
is to meet on Jan. u, and those who be-
lieved that that convention should simply
discuss the various plans presented and
refer the whole matter TO a commission.
This difference of opinion did not crop out
until the closing hour of the session. ana
then it was too late to go into the subject
intelligently. NJ. L. Ingalls,, of Cincinnati
was the most forcible advocate of the idea
that the convention should indorse a plan.
lie did this upon the very reasonable
theory that Congress would pay more at
tention TO the action of a large represents
ative convention than TO the action of "A
few men composing a commission even
though the commission represented the
convention. He thought the average Con-
gressmen would pay only so much atten-
uon TO the commission as he " 1ul1 10 any
other committee representing a memorial
while the definite action OF convention OF
4OJ or 800 men representing the business in
terests of the country would make an i'm
preston upon Congress Mr.. Ingalls, has a
currency plan OF mis- own, but he is too
m N hay fhaf fac
his ideas as to what the convention ought
TO do
BELIEVES IN A COMMISSION.
Mr.. Hanna led that portion OF the confer
ence believing that commission should be
appointed. Nothing, however, is further
from his mind than that this commission,
after completing its work OF devising a
currency plan, should go down to Washing,
ton and beg a hearing before committees
and ask this member and that member to
favor the bill. Il am convinced that We
should have a commission" said he. in
conversing with Journal reporter. This
Is not a question upon which large con-
vention can make an intelligent decision in
a day or in week. In endeaNoring to de-
wise the best currency system possible, we
want to build for all time, and IL is Inn
practicable TO carefully study all the data,
TO look into the system OF other countries
and TO reach the best possible in framing the
measure This is a matter that will require
a commission two or three months. possibly
six months. of continuous work and
thought. Every plan presented should be
carefully weighed, and out of all that comes
before the commission 1 believe IL will be
able to evolve something that every intelli-
gent business man can heartily indorse. We
must have something that the people, irre-
spective of party, can stand soldly behind.
/ think a long step in this direction will be
made If this convention should select "A
commission composed OF the very greatest
and best men we have in the country. We
can afford to pay well for the services OF
those who could not otherwise AFFORD TO de-
vote the necessary time to the work. Then
when the commission has finished it's work
the largest part or our duty remains to be
done in the thorough organization and con-
centration OF the business or the country
behind the measure. This is matter Of so
much importance that we can afford to do
this great as the undertaking Is.
"Instead of sending committee to WASH
ington to ask a congressional committee for
hearing We should. when bill that We
can all indorse is evolved ask repre-
sentative TO come home for a consultation
sentative in Congress to do our work there.
and / do not think that there is one OF
them who. upon learning the desire 90 the
constituents in the matter, would not do
his best TO accomplish what they want. IL
all the members Of Congress with large
business constituencies can be thus thor
oughly informed to the desires of the
men who were potential In their election.
/ do not believe there would be any doubt
about the enactment OF the measure into
law.
..Of course" continued Mr. Hanna. ..much
depends upon the character OF the conven-
tion and the commission. / do not want
to IL made bankers convention a
bankers commission. though 1 want to see
that interest as well as other business In
terests represented. We want to solve this
problem for the whole people. not for any
particular class of people or for any par
ticular line of business"