Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-04-22
GROWERS VIEWS.
His Response to d Direct
Interrogation.
THE FREE COINAGE QUESTION.
Missouri Democrats Wanted More Ex-
piicit Views Concerning His Utter
ances on the subject, and
Sent u Nan to Get EN-.
Special 10 the Gazette.

Special 10 the Gazette.
New YORK, April 2l-State Treasurer
Leon '. Stephens of Missouri called on ex-
Presidant Grover Cleveland to-day with
letters of introduction from Governor
Francis and other leading Missouri Demo-
Gratis. The object of the visit is to secure
more thorough expression of his views on
the silver question than the letter he has so
far made public
Missouri Democrats said Mr.. Steph-
ems, would like to know if in case you are
elected president in 1892, and the Demo-
cratic congress should pass the free coinage
Dill, would you veto it, no matter if you
knew that great majority Of your party
favored the measure
IF l should be elected president in 1892.
answered the eX-president, such bill
would not reach me till 1894, as congress
would not meet until December, 1898, so
that is bridge we better not attempt to
cross until We come to it. What might be
bad for the country at the present time
might DE necessity in 1894 As the volume
OF business increases, it is necessary to
INCREASE THE CURRENCY.
The amount of present per capita should
be made gradually. When the law was
passed providing for the coinage of 81 ,0OO.-
600 per month, | feared the result for
thought it would prove an injury TO the
business interests of the country-for a
II. a
benefit, for, contrary to my opinion, the
country was ready for change When
the present law, providing for 81, 500, 600 per
month was passed, l thought the measure
too radical, and that it might have the eff
feet of driving gold coin out of the country.
but in this | was mistaken, and both those
opposed as well as those in favor of free
coinage believe that the present law is
wise one, in SO far that the country has
benefited by it With rapid strides the
country is making it impossible 10 say what
financial measure we may be ready for in
1884, In forming my views upon the subject
did not alone consider the interests of any
one section of this country. My only desire
is to see
FINANCIAL LEGISLATION
enacted that will benefit the people in the
West. as well as in the East. and those in
the North as well as those in the South.
This great country of ours, with its diversi-
fed interests should not be viewed from the
standpoint of any section. I have been I'M
able to see how free coinage could fail of
being an injury to every section of this
country, believing as l do that it would
drive gold out of circulation. As We are, in
a great measure, dependent upon European
markets for our products. we are obliged to
take them into consideration. When have
suggested i monetary conference Of repre-
sentatiyeS of other governments with our
O'fA- "iiitu dSIcc upOH new SldHU-
ard of value. my suggestions have been
scoffed at by Europeans
I AN DELIGHTED
that the people are now engaged in such
thoughts as q consideration of this ques-
ton, and that by 1892 they viii have de-
cided whether or not we are ready to handle
all the silver of the world
Stephens was 4 journalist for several
years. He took no notes, but he thinks he
nemorized what Mr.. Cleveland |
said. He does not claim to have been able |
to repeat the conversation verbatim.