The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-12-02

l
Necent EIection-A Commission Sug-
gested in the Address.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Dec. 1.-An
the cities invited to the preliminary
conference, in this city, called by the
local board Of trade, looking toward q
national monetary convention, respond
ed excepting two. These were Louis
Vile and Kansas City. 1t was the
original Intention TO hold tho first ses-
sion at II o'clock this morning In the
Century club rooms at the Denison no.
tel, but owing to the late arrival Of sew
eral delegates the initial session was
not called TO order until o'clock this
afternoon. This change Of programme
will probably extend the conference
through tomorrow. When J. C.
Adams. president of the board of trade,
OF this city, called the conference to
order, the following organizations were
represented:
Cincinnati chamber OF commerce, Chi
cago board Of trade, Cleveland chamber
OF commerce, Columbus board Of trade,
Detroit board OF trade, Des Moines COM
mercial exchange, Grand Rapids board
OF trade, indianapolis board Of trade
indianapolis commercial club. Nilwau-
keo chamber OF commerce. MINNEAPOLIS
board OF trade, Omaha board OF trade
and Peoria board Of trade.
| President Adams said in part:
1.-THE indianapolis board Of trade, In
common with the business interests of
this country. believe that the result Of
| the recent election was an earnest pro-
| test against the debasemcnt Of our
monetary system. as well as 4 positive
declaration III favor of q sound. stable
and uniluctuating currency.
"In furtherance OF these views this
| board issued call to the boards Of
trade and commercial bodies of what
| Is known as the central west, inviting
them to send delegates to prelimi-
nary conference which convenes to-day.
| "This conference will consider the ad-
| visibility OF, issuing n more extended
call for larger convention Of the COM
merc!al bodies Of the principal cities
| to discuss the question OF what ought
to be done to cure the radical defects
in our monetary system, and II deemed
| practicable and for the best interests
| OF all, to create a non-partisan COM
| mission, composed Of able. experienced
and fair-minded business men. whose
duty shall be TO formulate a plan which
| will remove the existing weak spots
| In our cumbersome and defective sys-
| tcm, place the finances Of the nation on
| q sound and adequate basis and pre-
| tho nncGiht1ifv nf frnuiIaDs m,
etary disturbances.
Permit me to say, gentlemen, that
behind this call, In answer to- WI ich
| you have convened to-day, there turks
no plan. scheme or policy by which 1t Is
proposed 10 alter or change our pres
ent system on any particular plan or
| on special line.
within the last thirty days the peo-
pie of this country have shown that they
are unalterably opposed to n cheap and
tluctuating dollar of an uncertain value.
| Not Settled.
I'VE must not take this overwhelming
expression Of the people as final ard
complete settlement OF the issues in
volved, nor as an unqucstioned accept
ance of our present monetary system.
but rather as q protest against a step
backward. Between the lines Of the
returns Of the recent election there Is
sown q pronounced public sentiment ia
| vorlng currency reform with an evil
| dent purpose on the part Of the con-
servativc and reflective men to examine
| into our national finances and remove
with tho least possible delay whatever
weakness or defects may appear.
Different views are entertained as
to methods of procedure and details Of
| t.,t 80 ,trI,
| but after our grievous and costly eX-
perience we are forced to the conclu-
sion that the time has now arrived when
| the government must either discon-
tinue the banking business. with It's
expensive and complicated system. or
80 into 1t on 4 broader, better defined
| and more comprehensive scale. The
| game Is not worth the candle. The
burden Is too heavy to be safely borne
and no Individual. corporation or gov
ernment can conduct business OIL n safe
and sound basis who has demand notes
| calling for millions Of dollars in exist
ence and circulation, which notes arc
liable in n period OF strlngcncy and
panic to be brought to the counter for
redemption, and when SO redeemed are
| rcIssued, thus acting as n standing men,
| ace to the government reserve and q
| continual threat to the trade and busi-
| ness Of the country, causing disturb
ancc and unsettled values OF every char
actcr.
1.-THE cause OF our trouble Is not dill
cult to locate; TO determine the best
| course to pursue and apply remedial
legislation that will provide the great
nation with 4 sound. uniform and clas-
tic currency. whether 1t be gold silver
or paper, is the Intelligent purpose and
paramount question which will claim
the best thought and business Judgment
of the conference which you are about
TO consider the proprlcty OF calling.
t"Politlcinns aro proverbally timid,
even TO the verge Of cowardicc, but
when sentiment Is crystallizcd and
given definite shape by the commercial
bodies and business men of the nation,
1t becomes 4 moral force and recog-
nlZed power. which our law makers will
not.ignorc or refuse to heed.
| "Thc attention Of the country Is CEN
tered on this gathering and we'll It may,
for no movement Of recent years has
| embodied so much thought. enrncstncss
Of purpose and exalted aim. or has
given promise of such fruitful results
as the actions you are about TO take"
| .Hs
| m