The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-30
BANKERS INTERVIEW VARS
Continued from Third Page.

of value rests the mighty fabric of American
credit. When the base is assailed the whole
superstructure shrinks and trembles. What
progress or prosperity can we expect long
as there is the slightest doubt as to what the
standard of the United States Is, and is to
be? Let US, then, as patriotic citizens keep
this great issue alive and burning until 1t
Is settled and settled right. The whole flu
ture waits upon the completion of this task.
what more fitting time to push 1t to a con-
clusion than in the light of dawning pros
perlty; when Gods great purposes for this ma
ton are unfolding; when our soldiers go forth
TO oattle In the name of humanity and civil
zat1on. and even the dullest heart responds
70 the grand sentiment of the national battle
hymn:
"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born
across the sea-
With glory in His bosom that transfgures
you and me:
AS He died to make men holy let us die to
make men Free
While God is marching on"
The great republic is the hope of the world
II remains for such as we are to lay broad
deep and sure the foundations of it's financial
power. upon which may rest strong and un-
shaken the mighty structure of American
commerce. and from which may spring the
growing prosperity of all that broad domain
which rests under the benediction of the Stars
from Alaska to the islands of the sea-
Mr.. Burton was rewarded with q.
burst of applause and a vote of thanks
and President MOnfort then introduced
senator j. T. Wyman, president of the
metropolitan bank. Minneapolis. Sen
ator Wyman's subject was Legislation
and Legislative Tinkering," and he
treated Of 1t in a breezy, off-hand man
ner. He said in part:
RAPS THE LAWMAKERS.
Immediately upon the assembling of the
state legislature the first question of the
conservative business man. particularly bank
ers, Is: What hostile legislation will now
be enacted? What will they do to injure
my business and the prosperity of the state
they represent? The query Is we'll put ard
II Is question whether the state would
not be better off without session at all.
or would 1t not be better to have a ses-
sion once IN five or ten years. Once In six
years would protect the state and allow for
the enactment of all laws necessary for lis
welfare.
IN the last legislature 1900 bills were in
e eE0d ts ana only 300 became laws, and il
zoo OF those had been killed the state would
nave Deen better off. In 1893 there were
d.5oo bills introduced, and $50 became laws,
aat was not very large percentage Of
meritorious bills. but we could have got
along with less
me last session of the legislature was
P PRONE m laws regarding Banking. The
acted in this country. yet last session there
were many propos. A1ns to amend that law
nom the man who insisted that the money
deposited in a bank should be in the hanS
all the time to the man who said that lust
the banks capital should be loaned There
was a man from one of the Twin Cities who
sa1d that no deposit should be loaned!
The cities do not send as strong delegations
10 tne legislature as the country does, in
proportion. This Is situation we depiore
Y You men OF the country sfould send the
pest business men in your communities to
the legislature. In 1897 there were three
DsnKers IN the senate and two in the house.
bankers are too modest about taking part
IN politics You should sacrifice your BUS
ness interests. and go to the legislature your
selves. Let one man from your bank 90
70 the house or the senate: When the bank
heeler you deserve hostile legislation, and
We. cannot fight the Populists with our
fists for opposing banks because that would
not be dignified. and they are honest in their
opposition. They consider bank a jugger-
naut riding over the people. They really BE-
neve what they say and practice and vote
The thing is to convince them of their er-
Tor. We must have a campaign of education.
II you are ready to take Office yourselves,
you will soon have the best and sound st
legislation, but If you leave Legislation to
the ward heslers you will get what you de-
serve. the worst kind Of legislation.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Senator Wyman was accorded q vote
of thanks for his advice, and the COM
port. The committee on resolutions
reported favorably an amendment to
the bylaws, adding the executive Of
hcers OF the association to the execu-
tive council as eX-off1cio members, The
committee also reported favorably on
the plan to reorganize the executive
council so it should be continuous
body. By this plan members elected
for the First, Second and Third con-
gressional districts were to be elected
for term of one year; for the Fourth,
Fifth and Sixth districts, two years,
and for the Seventh district and two
members at large for three years. This
plan will always insure four members
familiar with the duties of the coun-
Gil. 1t was also provided that no mem
Der Of the council should be eligible for
reelection until the expiration of one
year after his previous term of office.
These amendments were unanimously
adopted.
Another resolution appropriated 5000
to be used for the prosecution of for
gers and swindlers who may impose
upon the banks in the association
Another resolution was adopted
thanking the ST. Paul bankers and the
citizens of the city who have enter
tanned the visitors for their hospitality
Then Chairman A. A. Crane, Of the
committee on resolutions, read a short
one that aroused the patriotism Of the
association. 1t read:
Resolved. That we, the members of the
Minnesota Bankers association, pledge our,
selves to support the government and the
flag; and we wish God-speed to the army
and the navy. now fighting in the cause OF
liberty.
The resolution was adopted with a
shout
The election of officers was the next
business of the session, and President
Monfort was put in nomina ton for re-
election. He declined the honor, on the
plea that he could not properly attend
to the duties of the position, and also
because the office should be passed
around Thereupon Secretary Folds
nominated Vice President H. D. Brown.
He said 1t was customary to promote
the vice president under such circum-
stances. The association promptly
elected Mr.. Brown by reclamation, and
President Monfort escorted him to the
chair. President Brown is president
of the Albert Lea National bank.
The other officers elected were:
Vice President-A. A. Crane. assistant
Minneapolis.
Treasurer-George H. Prince, cashier Mer-
chants National bank. St: Paul. reelected.
western National bank, Minneapolis, re-
elected.
Executive Council
First District-H. R. Wells. of Preston.
Second District-F. H. Welcome, of Grand
Falls.
Third District-C. w. Gresz, of Cannon
Falls.
Fourth District Joseph L,ckey. OF St + "a.
Fifth District-C. T. Jaffray, Of Minneap-
ellis.
Sixth District-James c. Hunter. of Du-
luth.
Seventh District. w. Wheeler Of Crooks
ton