Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-03
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 8. 1890
Mr.. Cleveland and silver.

Mr.. Cleveland and Silver.
So prominent is Mr.. CLEVELAND as an
espirant to the nomination of the next
Democratic National Convention for
President Of the United States, and so
important and overmastering an issue is
the silver problem likely TO become after
IL not before that convention assemblies.
We have felt that it would cheer the
hearts of thousands Of Democrats II
MIR. CLEVELAND would align himself on
that question with the large majority OF
Democrats all over the Union, but es-
pecially in the South, the West, tho
Northwest, aud the Pacific States There
have been some outgiyings as to par
tal change of views on this question on
the part OF Mr.. CLEVELAND, but no re-
liable personal vouchers for such
change have as yet appeared before the
public. Nevertheless, we deem the fol-
lowing reports worthy Of notice:
Not long ago story went the rounds
Of the newspapers to the effect that Sen
ator VEST, of Missouri, had letter from
Mr.. CLEVELAND announcing that the ex-
President had changed his views upon
the silver question and had become an
outspoken advocate Of free coinage. Oh
course this story evoked much comment
from the press. 1t was contradlcted by
persons claiming TO know the facts Of the
case. But as Senator VEST is Demo
crat and Missourian, and there are
Democratic papers in St Louis, we have
waited to hear from Mr.. VEsTs own
State before giving prominence to his re-
marks on the subject of Mr.. CLEyELAND's
change of front on the silver question.
We read and We suppose everybody will
read with interest the following para
graphs from Washington telegram in
the st. Louis Republic:
"A conversation between Senator
Vest and Mr.. Cleveland, which con-
sinced the Missouri Senator that the ex-
President had changed his views, oc-
CURED while Cleveland was yet Presl-
dent. 1t came about this way While
Secretary Manning was still to oil intents
md purposes the head of the Treasury
Department communication was sent
to Congress on the coinage question.
signed by Mr.. Manning, in which very
strong grounds were taken against the
free coinage Of silver. This was about
the third year OF Mr.. Cleve-
lands Administration. The day fol-
lowing the receipt OF this document in
Congress Senator Vest had occasion to
go to the White House. He found Presi-
dent Cleveland in a towering rage, and
the President asked him if he had seen
the communication signed by Manning
on the coinage question sent to Con
gress. The Missouri Senator answered
in the affirmative. Mr. Cleveland then
said that was terrible outrage that
Manning was sick, was not himself that
he was suffering from brain-fever
and not responsible for the docn-
ment sent to Congress to which his name
was attached. The President further
said that Manton Marble, at one time the
editor of the New York WOrtd and
known TO be very warm friend OF Mr..
Manning, had come on from New York,
taken advantage of Mr.. Manning's i'll
ness, prepared the anti-free-coinage
document sent TO Congress, induced
Manning TO sign his name to it without
investigation, and sent II to Congress
without showing il to the President OF
10 any member of the Cabinet, 'and,
continued Mr.. Cleveland, L am totally
opposed to the views expressed in that
document, and so Is q majority OF the
Cabinet.
"In further conversation with Sem
ator Vest MIR. Cleveland said that when
he assumed the presidency he had very
decided views against the free coinage
oil silver. but intimated that he had since
changed his mind very materially, and
left the impression on the mind Of Sen
ator Vest that he was then ready to APP
prove, in fact, as the Chief Executive of
the country, free-coinage bill if passed
by Congress At the same time Mr.. Cleve-
land intimated that he did not think
n would DO good politics to make an
issue of the coinage question. us there
was what be thought serious division
OF sentiment on the question between
Democrats OF the eastern and western
States, and he did not think it would be
prudent TO push the question to the front
under such circumstances. He left nc
doubt in the mind Of the Missouri Sena.
tor, however, that personally he had DO
come a convert to the free coinage idea
and that free coinage bill, II passed by
Congress, would meet his approval.
This telegram is surely important il
true" We would that it were true fol
there is nothing in the future moro GER
tain than that the silverquestion will be q
controlling issue in the next presidential
election--that is, If the Republicans can
be induced to join issue with tho Demo
Gratis on that question. Whether il shall
be an issue between the two parties Of
not, 1t will have such q strength with thu
voters and figure so prominently in The
next presidential campaign that free
coinage bill viii be one OF the frst K
receive the approval Of tho President L
be elected in 1892. For these reasons
We are DESTROYS that the distinguished
ex-President shall be on what SO man,
Democrats regard as the right side o
that question.