The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-02
Commercial Bodies VIII Sug-
gest Regarding Currency.
Convention viii Meet January
) at indianapolis
TO ARRANGE DETAILS.
A Committee Appointed to Pre-
pare For Convention.
Currency and Banking Reform
Is the Object.

Indianapolis, Dec. 2-Fifty-twO men,
representing the boards of trade and
commercial bodies of sixteen cities of
the central west, met yesterday after
non in the Century club rooms at the
Denison and issued a call for a nation
al convention of the commercial bod
les Of the country to meet in this city
January 5, 1897 for the purpose of tax
ing action toward securing from con
gress remedy for the ills attending
the present currency and banking sys-
tenn. The meeting was nom partisan in
its character.
1t was 2:10 when the roll call was or
dered and J. G. Adams of this city
president of the board of trade, took
the chair.
permanent organization was eff
fected by the election of Ex-Governor
Stannard of Missouri as chairman and
Secretary Smith of the Indianapolis
board Of trade as secretary. W. H.
Miller, ex-attorney general of the Uni
ted States was then introduced and
spoke of the country's financial cOndi-
ton.
John R. Wilson, of this city, who was
secretary of the National Democratic
party was then introduced and made
the principal address of the day. It
was an able paper and was warmly
applauded
Mr.. Wilson outlined the origin of the
movement, discussed the need of cur
rencY reform and why the commercial
class should take the lead and then
coming to the reason why congress
should welcome such aid said: I'VE be-
heve congress viii welcome all intelli-
gent aid IN dealing with the reform of
the currency. It is unfortunate but
true, that our national congress each
year exhibits increasing inability
to legislate efficiently concerning such
matters mat IS not due so much to
the want of talent in its mem bership,
but rather to the enormous and con
stantly increasing mass of routine bus
mess, prevalence of party spirit and
domination Of party methods, which in
legislation, consume time in maneuver-
ing to sustain advantage Of the next
campaign, together with the prevailing
mode of action under rules which no
one seems to be able to reform"
In conclusion, Mr.. Wilson outlined
the opposition the commission would
meet with and suggested what should
be the character and composition of
the commission.
Mr.. smaley, of St. Paul. then intro
duced a resolution calling a conference
of representatives of commercial bod
les in all cities of over $4,000 inhabi-
tants to met in Indianapolis
This brought forth discussion as to
representation, etc, and the chair final
ly appointed a committee of five to pre-
pare a proposition. The committee re
ported the following:
Resolved. That it is the sense of this
conference that a general convention
of the commercial bodies of the cOun-
try should be held at some convenient
time and place to suggest such legisla-
ton as may in their Judgment be ne
cessary to place the currency system
upon q permanent basis.
Resolved. That an executive commit
tee consisting of one member from each
commercial body represented in this
conference shall be appointed by the
chair which shall take charge of and
arrange all the preliminary details de-
manded by the call this demand for
representative of commercial bodies of
the country including the printing and
sending out Of call securing convention
hall and in the premises doing what
ever may be necessary in the usual
course of such proceedings to give eff
feet to the previous resolutions.
Resolved That the convention shall
be held in Indianapolis January 5. 1897
A cOmmitte was appointed of one
member from each body represented
to decide as to the call and the details
of the convention as follows:
Cincinnati, NJ r. ingalls,; Chicago, p
B. Weare; Cleveland.J G. w. COwles;
Columbus w. F. Burdett; Grand Rap
ids w H Anderson; Indianapolis
Commercial club, ID. p. Erwin; board
Of trade. Indianapolis Hugh Hanna;
Louisville A E. Wilson; Milwaukee,
n. III. Nladgeburg; Minneapolis. T. B.
Walker: St Louis. E O. Stannard;
St PAM p Y. Smalley: Toledo. D. B.
Smith; Springfield, John S. Crowen.
Mineral Water.
The finest in the west Come and try It
J.. ". PHILLIPS. 612 ". Eighth Ave