The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-12-02
FOR CURRENCY REFORM
Preliminary Conference Being
Held at indianapolis.
MANY CITIES ARE REPRESENTED.

Jects of the Meeting In an Address Il
the Assembled Delegates.
Indianapolis, Dec. ALI the cities
invited to the preliminary conference
In this city. called by the local board
of trade. looking toward a national
monetary convention. responded ex-
cepting two. These were Louisville
and Kansas City. When ]. c. Adams.
president of the board of trade of this
city, called the conference to order,
the following organizations were rep
resented: Cincinnati chamber of
commerce. Chicago board Of trade,
Cleveland chamber of commerce. CO.
lumbus board of trade, Detroit board
of trade, Des Moines commercial ex-
change, Grand Rapids board of trade.
Indianapolis board of trade. Indianap-
oils Commercial club. Milwaukee cham
Der of commerce, Minneapolis board of
| trade, Omaha board of trade and Pc
| oria board of trade.
Mr.. Adams said in part: The In
! dianapolis board Of trade in common
with the business interests OF the coun-
| try, believe that the result of the re-
cent election was an earnest protest
against the debasement Of our none
tary system as well as a positive dec
laration in favor Of a sound, stable and
unfiuctuating currency. In further
ance of these views the board issued
call TO the boards of trade and COM
mercial bodies of what is known as
the central west, inviting them to send
delegates to a preliminary conference
which convenes today.
Work of the Conference.
This conference will consider the
advisability of issuing a more extend
ed call for larger convention of the
commercial bodies of the principal cit
les, to discuss the question of what
ought to be done to cure the radical
defects in our monetary system, and
If deemed practicable, and for the best
interests of all, to create a non-parti-
san commission composed of able, ex-
perienced and fair-minded business
men, whose duty shall be to formulate
a plan, which will remove existing
weak spots in our present cumbersome
and defective system; place the
finances of the nation on a sound and
adequate basis and prevent the pos
sibility of frequent monetary disturb
ances. Permit me to say, gentlemen,
that behind this call, in answer to
which you have convened today, there
turks no plan, scheme or system by
which it is proposed to alter, or change
our present system on any particular
plan or on a special line.
within the last thirty days the peo-
pie of this country have shown that
they are unalterably opposed to cheap
and fluctuating dollar of uncertain val
ue. We must not take this over
whelming expression of the people as
a final and complete settlement of the
issues involved nor as an unques-
toned acceptance of our present mon
etary system, but rather as protest
against step backward.
Currency Reform Favored.
Between the lines of the returns of
the recent election, there is shown a
pronounced public sentiment favoring
currency reform, with an evident pur-
pose on the part of the conservative
and reflective men to examine into our
national finances and remove with the
least possible delay whatever weakness
or defects may appear
Different views are entertained as
to methods of procedure and details |
of plans in the matter of currency re-
vision, but after our grevious and |
costly experience, we are forced to the |
conclusion that the time has now ar
rived when the government must eth
er discontinue the banking business, |
with its expensive and complicated |
system. or go into it on a broad, bet
ter defined and more comprehensive |
scale. The game is not worth the can
die. The burden is too heavy to be |
safely borne and no individual, cor
poration, or government can conduct |
business on a safe and sound basis, |
who has demand notes calling for mill |
ions of dollars in existence and circula-
ton, which notes are counter for re-
demption, and when so redeemed, gre
re-issued, thus acting as a standing |
menace to the government reserve and |
a continual threat to the trade and |
business of the country, causing dis
turbance and unsettled values of every
character.
Not Difficult to Locate.
THE cause of our trouble Is not diff
cult to locate; to determine the best
course to pursue and apply remedial
legislation that will provide the great
nation with a sound, uniform and
elastic currency, whether it be gold.
silver or paper, is the intelligent pur-
pose and paramount question which |
will claim the best thought and busi-
ness judgment of the conference. which |
you are about to consider the pro-
priety of calling. Politicians are proven
bially timid even to the verge of cow
ardice, but when sentiment is crystal
lized and given definite shape by the
commercial bodies and business men of
the nation, ii becomes a moral force |
and recognized power which our law
makers will not ignore or refuse to
head. The attention of the country Is
centered on this gathering, and well
1t may be, for no movement or recent
years has embodied so much thought
earnestness of purpose and exalted
aim, or has given promise Of such fruit
full results as the action you are about
to take"
Won der Abe Brings Suit.
st. Louis. Dec. 2.-President Won der
Abe of the st. Louis Base Ball club has
II. 4