The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-24


The Board of Trade at once took up the
subject and extended an invitation to the
commercial organizations of Chicago, St
Louis. Cincinnati, Louisville. Cleveland,
Columbus. Toledo. Kansas city. Detroit,
Milwaukee St. Paul, Des Moines, Mime
apolis. Grand Rapids, Peoria and Omaha
TO send three representatives from each or
ganizati0n to the conference TO be held in
Indianapolis Dec. l. 1896. In the invitation
sent out the purpose of the conference was
In behalf Of the policy and the purpose
outlined by these resolutions, permit TO
say that il is believed very earnestly that
Il nonpartisan committee or commission,
composed of experts judiciously selected by
a representative conference of business
men. should be chosen at an early day; and
that TO this commission should be assigned
the duty of preparing q plan which can be
embodied in such legislation as will place
our monetary system on permanently
sound basis.
THE present grave juncture presents an
opportune occasion to the business men OF
the country TO intervene in a business mat
ter as it is their duty, as Well as they can,
to aid in the solution of a matter which
so intimately concerns the stability of busi-
ness.
must be of such attachments and charac-
ter as net only to allay all suspicion of any
influence from class or sectional interest,
but ii must be of such fitness as to inspire
the confidence in the mind of the fair
minded citizen of the Republic that its work
will be done for the permanent welfare OF
the whole Nation.
I'VE have great confidence in the patriot
Ism of the masses of the American people
and believe that they will recognize the
wisdom Of looking TO A commission of the
character above described for the best solu-
ton of the questions involved, and that the
people will await the results of the com
Tnittees labor before committing themselves
to any particular plan or scheme hastily or
smmaturely devised.
in view of the great character of the
situation which confronts us. and the great
Importance of the work to be achieved by
the committee to be appointed, it is obvious
that each commercial body. IN choosing Its
representatives to the proposed conference,
should nominate men whose attainments,
experience and character will satisfy the
demands of the occasion"
THE CALL APPROVED
The invitation was generally accepted,
and while the representatives of the con
ference differed widely in their views as
to how the currency might best be re-
formed, they agreed readily to the sugges-
ton that a general convention represent
ing the active business interests of the coun-
try should be called to discuss the sub
ject. The preliminary conference was wise
ly SO managed as to avoid any discussion
Of currency plans. for the promoters of
the movement understood full we'll that the
movement might thus be very easily ship
wrecked at the start. The discussion was
therefore confined 10 the need of reform
and the question of how best to accomplish
Whatever might be agreed upon wise.
The conference agreed to call. a general
convention to meet in Indianapolis on Jan.
u, 1897, and issued the following call:
The representatives, of the Board of
Trade, of the Chamber of Commerce and
similar commercial bodies of the cities of
Chicago, st. Louis, Cincinnati. Milwaukee,
Minneapolis ST. Paul Louisville Column
bus, Cleveland, Toledo, Grand Rapids and
Indianapolis, in conference assembled at the
city of Indianapolis. on the LIST day, of De-
eember, 1896, after due deliberation, do here
by call d nonpartiSan convention to meet
at the city of Indianapolis. on the 18th day
of January. 1897, to be composed of repre-
sentative business men, chosen from boards
cial clubs or other similar commercial bod
les in cities of eight thousand or more in
habitants, according to the census of 1890,
the basis of representation to be tabulated
and in accordance with the population of
said cities. for the purpose of considering
and suggesting such legislation as may, in
their Judgment. be necessary to place the
currency system of the country upon
sound and permanent basis. In behalf of
this call. the conference submits that the
necessity for such legislation exists is gen.
orally conceded by business men.
1t is the right and the duty of the bus
mess men of the Nation, in a matter of
such vital business concern, to render to
this cause all the aid which their expert
ence and knowledge can afford. These owe
it to themselves, as citizens of the Repub-
lie, and as a matter of business self-pres-
ervation, to participate actively, and, we
Dcl6N6. IN THIS movement. Inc
business men have been accused of neg
lect of political duties. In ordinary times
there may be some foundation for this
charge, but at every critical juncture in
the history of our country when the Ma
tions prosperity, honor or general welfare
was seriously in danger they have in the
spirit of enlightened patriotism, risen to the
full measure of their duty and we be-
lteve that the painful experience of the
country under the existing laws on the sub
Ject Of the currency admonishes the bust
ness men that we have reached point
where ii is their duty to take an active
involved.
And we have right to believe that a
convention composed of broad-mirded and
pursuit of truth that party considerations
viii be forgotten. converting in the spirit of
enlightened patriotism, and will do
solution Of the currency question.
We are also justified in the light of the
recent presidential election in saying that
any plan of currency reform involving the
Use OF any money which will place in
jeopardy the honor or the credit of our
accepting these as conclusions from the
recent manifestations of public opinion. we
cordially and earnestly invite your organi-
zation to choose and send with proper Gre
dentials-of your representative business
men to the proposed convention. Please APP
point only those who will attend and re-
port the names of your delegates as soon
as practicable to II. Fl. Hanna, chairman
Of executive committee, Indianapolis Ind"
The call was signed by "a number of the
leading business men of the central West
representing the following commercial or
CARNATIONS: Cincinnati Chamber of Com
Eserce, Chicago Board OF Trade. Cleveland
Chamber of Commerce. Colum Jus Board Of
Trade, Grand Rapids Board Of Trade, In
dianapolis Board of Trade. indianapolis
Commercial Club, Louisville Board of
Trade, Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce.
Minneapolis Board of Trade st. Louis Mer-
chants Exchange. ST Paul Chamber of
Commerce and Toledo Produce Exchange
The conference also appointed a provision
al executive committee composed of the
following: Fl. H. Hanna, indianapolis,
chairman: M. Z. ingalls,. Cincinnati; p. b.
Weare Chicago: J. G. w Cowles, Cleve-
land; J. ii. Outhwaite Columbus w H.
Anderson. Grand Rapids; A. e. Wilson
Louisville: p. II. Madgeburg, Milwaukee
T. =. Walker, Minneapolis; e. O. Stannard
ST. Louis: +. v. Smalley st. Paul. D. b.
John r. Bush. @. Ct. Tanner. E. b. Martin
dale. Louis Hollweg and Herman Lieber,
all of Indianapolis.
During the month intervening between
bling Of the convention the provisional COM
mittee conducted an extremely active
propaganda among the business interests
of the country, arouSing interest in the
movement and urging the commercial bod
les throughout the United States to send
delegates. The resources were uniformly
enthusiastic and showed throughout the
country q remarkably widespread and ac-
tive interest on the subject.
A REMARKABLE CONVENTION.
The convention that assembled in response
to this call was the most remarkable gath
ering of business men that the country has
ever known. Among its delegates were the
leaders in every line of business in the
TTr*fad states and though there were IL