The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-12-04
FOR BETTER MONEY.
Commercial Bodies Confer About
the his Of Our Currency System.
s CONVENTION 10 MEET JANUARY 5.
9Ir. wilson Makes an Address and says BE
Believes Congress win Welcome All
Intelligent AID On the Subject
The Resolutions Adopted.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Dec. Fifty
two men, representing the boards Of
trade and commercial bodies OF Is cities
in the central west, met yesterday aft
ernoon In the Century club rooms at
the Denisop and issued cali for na-
tfonaI convention of the commercial
bodies of the country to meet in this
city January 3, 1897, for the purpose Of
taking action toward securing from
congress a remedy for the ills attend
ing the present currency and banking
systeni. The meeting was non-parti-
san in its character. The cities repre-
scented at the meeting were Cincinnati,
Chicago Columbus, O., Grand Rapids,
Indianapolis, Louisville, Milwaukee.
Minneapolis, ST. Louis. st. Paul and
Toledo A telegram was received from
Kansas City saying that delegates had
been appointed from there, but would
probably not arrive in time to take
part IN the conference.
Il was 2:1O when the roll call was Or
sdered and J. C. Adams, of this city,
president of the board of trade, took
the chair A permanent organization
was effected by the election of ex-GOv,
sStansrd, of Missouri, as chairman, and
Secretary Smith, of the indianapolis
board of trade. as secretary. W. h. a.
Miller, ex-attorney-general of the
United States, was then introduced,
and after referring to the eountry's
financial condition, said The remedy
for this condition Of things is mainly
with the states. The national govern
ment 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 court in the nature of
prescription rather than diagnosis, and
hbnce not within my province. One
thing, however, is clear. Tbs remedy
must be furnished or consequences not
to be thought of with eomplacency are
MOI remote. You, gentlemen, in your
several localities. can help to inaugu-
rate this most necessary movement"
John R. Wilson, of this city, who
was secretary of the national demo-
cratic party, was then introduced and
made the principal address of the day
Tt was an able paper and was warmly
appiauded Mr.. Wilson outlined the
origin of the movement, discussed the
need of currency reform, and why the
commercial 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: 1--WE believe con-
gress will welcome ali intelligent aid
in dealing with the reform of the cur
Tency, 1t is unfortunate, but true,
that our national congress each year
exhibits an increasing inability to
1egislate efficiently concerning such
matters. This is not due so
much to the want OF talent in its mem
bership, but rather to the enormous
and constantly increasing mass of rou-
tine business. prevalence of party spirit
and domination of party methods,
which in legislation consume time in
maneuvering to obtain advantage for
the next campaign, together with the
prevailing mode of committee action
under set of rules which no one
seems to be able to reform" In con-
clusion, Mr.. Wilson outlined the oppo-
ssition the commission would meet with,
stated that reform of the currency
would not necessarily prevent all COM
mercial crises, and suggested what
should be the character and compost
tion of the commission.
Mr. SmaIley. of St. Paul. then intro
-duced a resolution calling a conference
of Representatives of commercial bodies
in all cities of over %, OGO inhabitants
to meet in indianapolis. This brought
forth considerable discussion as to the
representation, and the chair finally
appointed a committee of five to pre-
pare a proposition. The committee re- /
ported the 70 flowing:
Resolved. That IL is the sense Of this confer
-ence that a general convention Of the repre-
Sentatives OF the commercial bodies Of the
country should be held at some convenient
time and place Tor the purpose OF suggesting
such legislation as may in their judgment be
necessary 10 place the currency system Of the
country upon q sound and permanent basis
Resolved, That an executive committee. con-
ssisting of one member from each Of the COM
meEciaI bodies represented in this conference,
shall be appointed by the chair, which shall
take charge OF and arrange all the preliminary
details demanded by the call this day made for
o convention Of the Representatives Of the COM
-nsFeial bodies OF the country, including tns
printing and sending ous OF the call, securing
convention hall. and In the premises doing
whatever may be necessary in the usual course
OF such proceedings 10 give effect to the pTeVi-
ems resolutions
Resolved, hat the convention snail be held
in indianapolis January, s, 1897.
On motion, an executive committee
was appointed. consisting of one mem.
Der from each commercial body repre-
scented, to decide as to the call and the
details of the convention
----
Thomas p. FeaIon Stricken.