Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-20

"Gentlemen,-It has been my good for
tune 10 meet Messrs. James DObsOn,
Charles Heber Clark. and K. f.. Diefen-
derfer, Of the city of Philadelphia. They
and their Industrial friends are anxious
to confer with you relative to the present
depression, and the remedy for existing
financial and industrial troubles II you
are willing TO meet the Eastern men Of
enterprise, then please advise the afore-
mentioned gentlemen, 30 that confer
ence can be arranged between you and
them and their friends.
Enclosed find a list Of Philadelphia
manufacturers, who, | am assured. will
take pleasure in meeting you.
Yours sincerely.
WILLIAM WILHELM"
United States Senate,
Washington, ID. c.. March 6, 1896.
James Dobson, Esq, Philadelphia Pa:
Dear Sir,-According TO the sugges-
tons made 10 Us by a letter from Dir.
William Wilhelm, Of Pennsylvania, that
ii would be well TO have conference
between representatives Of the industrial
interests of the country and ourselves.
We shall be pleased to confer with your
self and such men OF enterprise as you
may choose to invite TO meet with us
at an early date at Washington.
Yours very truly.
III NJ TELLER.
FIRED. DUBOIS,
LEE MANTLE,
"T. II. CARTER
FRANK J. CANNON,
JOHN u. JONES"
All Of the above-named senators were
present at the conference held tonight, as
were also Representatives Hartman. OF
Montana; Allen, of Utah; and Wilson.
representatives OF manufacturing inter-
ests; James Dobson, manufacturer Of
carpets; George Campbell, woollens.
James Pollock, carpets; S. y. Nrooman,
lumber; Frank Caven, silk; c. II. Hardy,
yarns; George w. Eikin, street rail-
ways; Alexander Crow. carpets; Henry
\. Frye, groceries; Henry Holmes car
pets; Il. W. Scott. knit goods; James
Brown, woollens Rowland Croft.
worsteds: Charles NJ. Mcleod. yarns.
James Diefonderfer. yarns; John Fish
Ter, wire; Robert Dawman, carpets; Ro-
bert W. Scott, knit goods; Charles He
Der Clark, surgical appliances Theo-
dOre Miller, upholstery Richard Com
pion, yarns; Joseph Bromley. rugs;
Joseph X. Jones' woOllens; Joseph F0s-
ter, dress goods; James Phillips, wor-
steds: G.. ID. FirestOne, buggies: and
r. L. Diefenderfer electrical appli-
ances.
The conference was organized by
choosing Senator Dubois as chairman.
and Mr.. Wilhelm, of Pennsylvania, secre-
tary.
BIMETALLISM AND PROTECTION.
For three hours and a half. behind
closed doors. the conference proceeded,
involving the uniting of bimetallism and
protection ASA national issue. Remarks
were r1ade by Senators Teller; Jones, Of
NevacA; Carer, Mantle, and Cannon.
President DOrnan, OF the Manufacturers
Club. Of Philadelphia, expressed the opin-
ion that tariff duties could not be made
high enough to protect our manufac-
turers If our country remained on a gold
basis. Mr.. James DObsOn, the great car
pet manufacturer came out unqualifiedly
for free coinage, by international agree
ment. If possible, otherwise, by indie
pendent action. lie believed that indie
pendent action would induce interna-
national action. Free coinage might
create temporary disturbances, but it was
the quickest way to permanent relief
from the ills from which the country is
now suffering.
Henry a. Frye. Of Philadelphia, said
that the sooner we took independent ac-
ton for bimetallism the better it would
be. He declared for protection and BIZ
metallism.
Charles Heber Clark. editor Of the
Manufacturer, of Philadelphia, said he
had labored in season and out OF season
10 convince the manufacturers that pro-
lection would only prove ehicacious In
conjunction with the restoration Of silver
and that he was now happy to have so
many representatives OF the Industrial
interests Of the country present 10 meet
the senators who had voted against the
Ding!ty bill. and TO personally verify
his declarations.
Richard Compton declared himself in
favor Of the restoration OF silver. but
thought that the cause Of bimetallism
was not advanced by the defeat Of the
revenue measure
Several opinions were expressed of re-
sret at the loss Of the Dingley measure,
but no opinion antagonistic 10 the resto-
ration OF silver was uttered. The sena-
tors present defined their position in
such manner as TO make IL plain to the
manufacturers that there would be no
protectVe-tarln legislation, either at this
session or Congress or the next, without
the rehabilitation OF silver, and thai
bipetallism and protection constituted an
indivisible issue before the country. Some
of the manufacturers themselves endorsed
this position, as being the logic OF the
country necessities ana pOnucal condi-
tons. The issue was clearly defined. but
no attempt 10 organize was made The
intensity of the interest shown demon
strated determination TO rescue the
country II possible, from its impending
industrial and financial ills.
Charles Heber Clark invited the sena-
tors TO a meeting to be held at the Manu-
facturers' Club, Philadelphia, at an early
date.
Many very strong letters In harmony
with the purposes of the meeting we're
received from manufacturers throughout
the country. who were unable TO be present
at this particular meeting.
An incidental mention of the name OF
]. Donald Cameron for nomination for
the presidency met with cordial approval