The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-03
MEETING OF COMMERCIAL
BODIES CALLED TO MEET
IN JANUARY.
REPRESENTATIVE MEN ISSUE A GILL
Influence Will Be Brought to Bear on
Congress to Remedy Our Currency
and Banking System-A
Non-Partisan Move.

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 1.-Fifty-two men,
representing the boards of trade and com
mercial bodies of sixteen of the central
western state, met this afternoon IN me
Century club rooms at the Denison hetei
and issued call for national conVen-
ton of commercial bodies of the coun-
try to meet in this city January D, 1891,
for the purpose of taking action toward
securing from congress remedy Tor the
ills attending the present currency and
banking system. The meeting was non
partisan in its character.
When j. Il. Adams, president of the
board of trade IF this city, called the
meeting to order the following organiza-
tons were represented: Cincinnati
chamber of commerce. Chicago board Of
trade, Cleveland chamber of commerce,
Columbus board of trade, Detroit board
of trade, Des MOines commercial eX-
change, Grand Rapids board of trade,
Indianapolis board of trade, indianapolis
commercial club. Milwaukee chamber of
commerce, Minneapolis board of trade
Omaha board of trade and Peoria board
of trade.
President Adams then addressed TIE
delegates.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Adams speech
Hugh Hanna of Indianapolis was select
ed temporary chairman He made a
brief speech, in which he said that the
delegates present were called together Tor
the common good.
The good of the American people is
the magnet that has drawn us here" he
said
When Mr. Hanna had concluded, Mr.
Smallcy of st. Paul moved that each
commercial body represented be allowed
three votes on all business before the
meeting. This was carried.
F.. b. Martingale moved that cx-Gover-
nor Stannard of Missouri be made pcrma-
nent chairman of the meeting This
was carried and DR.. Stannard was con-
Quoted to the chair. He made brief
speech in which he said that Indianapolis
deserved the gratitude of the entire coun-
try for its efforts in behalf of a sound and
stable currency system, a system that
should be eliminated from politics.
w. III. II. Miller. eX-attorney general
of the United States, after referring to
the country's financial condition, said:
ne lot lHlS vi
things is mainly with the states. The
government can by legislation
deal with the subject only within very
narrow limits. What kind of legisla-
ton it requires, whether penal or civil or
both, and what change of direction if
any, is needed in the courts is the ques-
ton of a prescription rather than of
diagnosis, and hence not within my prov
ince. One thing, however, is clear.
This remedy must be furnished or con-
sequences not to be thought of with
are not remote. You, gen
temen, in your several localities, can
helP us to inaugurate this movement-a
necessary movement"
secretary of the national democratic con-
vention, was then introduced and made
the principal address of the day. 1t
was an able effort and was warmly ac-
copied. Mr.. Wilson mentioned the
origin of the movement and discussed
the need of currency reform end why the
commercial classes should take the lead,
stated why the movement was in the
right direction and the reason why con-
gress should welcome such aid. He said:
1--WE believe congress will welcome all
intelligent suggestions in dealing with the
reform of the currency. 1t is unfortu-
nate, but true, that our national CON
gress each year exhibits an increasing
inability to legislate efficiently concern
ing 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 routine
business, prevalence of party spirit and
domination of party methods, which in
legislation consume time in maneuvering
to obtain advantages for the next cam
paign, together with the prevailing mode
of committee action under a set of rules
which it does not seem to be able to re-
form"
In conclusion Mr.. Wilson suggested
what should be the character and COM
position of the commission.
Mr.. Smalley of ST. Paul then intro
duced a resolution calling a conference of
representatives of commercial bodies in
all cities of over $4,000 inhabitants to
meet in indianapolis.
This brought forth considerable dis
cusson as to the representation, etc, and
the chairman finally appointed a com
mittee of five to prepare a proposition.
The committee reported the following:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
conference that a general convention of
the representatives of the commercial
bodies of the country should be held at
some convenient time and place for the
purpose of suggesting such legislation as
may, in their judgment, be necessary to