The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-01-14
Interview with Hon. s. L. Milliken.

HOW HE STANDS ON THE SILVER QUESTION.
In last weeks issue of the journal we doubt
ed the correctness of the Rockland Opinions
statement that Hon. 5. l.. Milliken is opposed
to the suspension of the coinage of silver" and
subsequently instructed our Washington CORE
spondent to obtain formal expression of Mr..
Milliken's views on this question. We print
the interview below, and will simply say fur
ther that the Maine delegation in COM
plete accord on this question:
Correspondent. l see it is stated in some of
the newspapers that you will vote against the
suspension of the silver coinage. Is the state
ment correct?
Mr.. Milliken. There is no ground for the
newspapers or any one making a statement as
to my position on the silver question, inasmuch
as | have given my opinion upon this subject
to no one. My constituents have never asked
it, and no one else has right to do so.
Cor. How, then, has the impression got
abroad that YOU would vote with the silver
men!
Mr.. NJ. / am not aware that such an im-
preston has got abroad. OF course some per-
sons and newspapers who know nothing of a
mans opinion will place him upon that side of
a question where they want him to be. I guess
you have seen no papers which favor the slIs-
pension of silver coinage quoting ne as
against it.
Cor. Is not your vote in the last Congress
upon the sundry civil bill understood to be a
vote against the suspension of silver coinage:
Mr.. NJ. Whoever understands it 'sins
against the light to use common expression,
and may easily correct himself by consulting
the Congressional Record The Sundry civil
bill which passed the House in the 4Sth Con
gress was brought in near the close Of the ses-
sion. 1t was passed under suspension of the
rules without an opportunity to even read it. !
voted against it as protest against this unlus-
tifiable and dangerous mcthod of legislation.
The Chairman of the Committee on appropril-
ton assumed that all those who voted as | did
We're opposed tG the suspension of silver COIN
age. As as could get the floor protest
ed against such Interpretation Of my vote and
stated that my action upon that bill had no ref
erence to my position upon the silver question.
Other gentlemen of the House did likewise.
This appears so clearly in the Congressional
Record that no one need misrcpresent it.
Cor. You say your constituents have never
asked your opinion on the silver question. How
is that: 1t is surely very prominent question.
Mr.. NJ. The constituency which | have The
honor to represent has not been accustomed to
send to Congress men of whom it has felt ii
necessary to exact pledges. | think, however.
that have pretty clear knowledge of the
opinions and wishes of very decided majority
of those who sent me here, upon the silver
question, and have the utmost confidence that
their views are the same as mine and that when
have occasion to vote upon that question, If
such an occasion shall occur, my vote will meet
with their approval They know that in all the
speeches | have made upon that and kindred
questions, and they have been not a few, have
uniformly argued for a sound currency.