The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1897-01-16


and addressed the convention as fol-
lows:
Patterson Perman emit Chairman.
c. Stuart Patterson of Philadelphia was
made permanent chairman of the con-
vention, and the afternoon session closed
with his address. He was frequently APP
plauded. Mr.. Patterson's speech was as
follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention: I thank
you for the honor you do me in inviting
me to preside over your deliberations.
Your presence here proves your accept
ance OF the true definition of that term.
Here today are representatives of agri-
culture. of mining. OF manufacture. OF
trade. OF commerce. of transportation.
and OF that vast aggregation Of capital
which is constituted Of the earnings of
labor and the savings of thrift. We may
be partisans as to all questions that can
properly be determined solely upon party
considerations, but we are also, above all,
American citizens. AS American citizens
we meet today to take counsel together
as to these questions of public interest
which relate to the currency of the coun-
try.
Meeting as citizens to consider a sub
! ject of common interest to the whole coun-
try it is fitting that we should come to-
geoher In the middle west, which is today
the seat of empire in the great state
OF Indiana. where, last autumn the vic
tory was won for the honor of the ma
ton. Let us approach the grave subjects
that are to be brought before US with no
pride of opinion, but in the spirit of that
old maxim which tells us In the things
necessary, there should be unity; in things
doubtful, liberty; and in all things, char
ity' But let us refuse to recommend any
compromise of principle, for such com
promises have always failed to accom-
plish their desired end. because of their
inherent inability to destroy the irritating
cause. and because of their essential in
applicability to changed conditions and
circums tances.
I'VE need for domestic purposes a cur
rency of stable value and of full purchas-
ing power, which shall be neither redun-
dant nor contracting, and which shall
flow into the channels of trade when and
as the interests of the country may re-
quire.
Invitation to Capital.
J 1.-The continued development of the wes
and south demands that the surplus cap
, ital of the world should be brought here
|
} sense inconsistent with the protection o
2 the home market that we look forward t
the growth and increase of our foreign
l commerce so that our agricultural, min
e ing and manufacturing products shall fms
e that larger market which will give t.
= American industry greater returns. Flo
n our international relations we need there
fore a currency which shall be Of ful
G | Ina in he ma rlx nf world.
d may differ as TO questions of protection o
t revenue reform, but we can agree that tn
g government must have a revenue AIDE
d quate to its necessary expenditures, an
n with a surplus sufficient to provide 70
= possible contingencies. We can agree tina
q as revenue must be raised by taxation
3 that taxation should be so imposed as I
u lay its burdens upon the people In n
. manner that can most easily be born
u We can agree that the existing standar
!" OF values shall be maintaine'
We can agree that bimetallism would /
10 desirable If 1t can be secured by interns
d tional treaty and be made practically c
8 fecuve. We cam agree that there ougl
. to be an enlarged and increased use
70 silver coin, convertible at par into Sol
10 We can agree that when notes are ou
- standing, provision should be made
~ law for the maintenance of an adeqlaL
~ gold reserve, specifically pledged for Il
redemption of those notes. We can ayr
~ as to the fact that, while in some cas-
- shareholders and depositors OF nation
:, banks have lost by their unskillful al
= unfaithful management, yet no holder
~ national bank note has ever had occ
sion to inquire what bank issued the not
a or has ever lost any part of the amou
- of that note. And, chiefly we can ayr
y. that the right solution of the curren
= question is of grave Importance, al
70 should be the subject of more delibera
80 and detailed consideration than this co
vesntion can at it's present session extel
or to it, and may properly be referred to sli
~ method of investigation as you in 20
ali wisdom may direct. Upon all these que
m lions 1t is for you to determine the acd
,oI of the convention. Let us raise a standa
IT, to which the wise anu HOi'est VI 1H 20
q ties can repair
ma THE nation has survived the shock
on foreign and civil war; it has overcome I
he disintegration OF influence of the expa
RI sion OF territory and the growth OF poI
he lation; 1t has successfully resisted the
tempt to lower the standard OF val
Let us have confidence enough in the p
Up pie and faith enough in our free inst
ticns to believe that in the future, as
lp- the past, the people will rightly determ
he the questions which shall be submitted
them"
W. Upon the conclusion Of the address
al the permanent chairman, the commit
on rules and order of business report
{. limiting the time of debate on resolutio