Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-02
CURRENCY REFORM CONGRESS.
Preliminary Meeting NJ Indianapolis
Calls n ConNcntion.

Calls n Convention.
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 1.1Fifty-two men,
representing the boards ot trade and COM
morcial bodies Of sixteen citits of the cen
trail wtst, met this afterr o5n In the Century
club rooms at the Dennlson, and issued a
call for a national convention OF the COM
mercial bodies Of the country to meet in
this city, January 5. 1897, for the purpcce
"a taking action toward securing from con-
gress a remedy for the Ills attending the
present currency and banking system. The
meeting was non-partissn in it's character.
1t was 2;1O when the roll-call was ordered,
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-Governor Stanw-od OF
Missouri as chairman and Secretary Smith
OF the indianapolis Board OF Trade as Sec
retary.
w. II. Miller, ex-attorney general Of the
United States was then introduced and
spoke Of the country's financial conditl.n.
John r. Wilson OF this city, who was sec
retary of the national democratic party, was
then introduced and made the principal ad-
dress Of the day. II ives an able paper,
and was warmly applauded Mr. Wilson out-
lined the origin of the movement. discussed
the subject of currency reform and why the
commercial classes should take the lead,
stated why the movement was In the right
why congress should welcome such aid,
said: I'VE believe congress will welcome all
intelligent aid in dealing with the reform
of the currency. 1t is unfortunate, but true.
that our national congress exhibits each
year an increasing inability to legislate
efficiently concerning such matters. This
Is not due to the want OF talent in it's
membership, but rather to the enormous
and increasing mass OF routine business,
prevalence ,f party spirit, and domination
of party methods. which In legislation con
sumo time in maneuvering to obtain ad-
vantage for the next campaign, together
with the prevailing mode OF committee ac-
tion under set of rules which no one
seems to be able to reform"
In conclusion, Mr.. Wilson outlined the OPP
position the commission would meet with,
and suggested what should be the character
and composition OF the commission.
Mr. Smalley cf st. Paul then introduced
resolution calling a conference of rep
| reseutatives of commercial bodies in all
cities OF over $4,000 inhabitants. to meet
| in indianapolis. This brought forth consid-
erable discussion as to the representation,
etc, and the chair finally appointed com
mittee of five to prepare proposition The
committee reported the following:
Resolved, that 1t is the s9hse Of this con
| ference that a general convention of the
representatives of the commercial bodies
of the country should be held at some con.
I
suggesting such legislation as may In theii
judgment be necessary to place the cur;
rency system Of the country upon SOUND
and permanent basis.
Resolved, that an executive committee ol
one member from each of the commercia
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 n convention of the representatives OF
the commercial bodies OF the country in
cluding the printing and sending out of the
call securing a hall and in the premises
doing whatever may he accessory in the
usual course of such proceedings to give eff
feet to the previous resolution:
Resolved, That the convention shall be
held in Indianapolis, January ., 1897.
On motion, an executive committee was
appointed, consisting of one member from
each commercial body represented in to-
days meeting, to decide s to the call and tho
details OF the conventioa. ras follows; Gin
cinnati, NJ L. ingalls,; Calcago, p. b. Wearei
Cleveland. ]. G. w. C.l..iis ), Columbus. W
r. Burdell; Grand Rapids. w. II. Wanderson
indianapolis, Commercial club. d. p Irwin
Board of Trade, indianapolis. Hugh Hanna
Louisville, A. E. Wilson; Milwaukee. T. II.
Magdeburg; Minneapolis. r. b. Walker; St.
Louis E. o. Stannard: st. Paul, e. "
smalley; Toledo, ID. B. Smith; Springfield
John S. Grove