Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-05-01
State Treasurer Stephens OF Mis-
souri,, Calls on EX-prrsident
Grover Cleveland
TO Get More Thorough Expression
OF His Views on the
Silver Question.
He Says the Republicans Want to
Make the Silver Question a
Leading Issue in '92.
Grover Explains Further.

Grover Explains Further.
New York, April 27.-The Telegram
prints the following: State Treasurer
Stephens, of Missouri, called on express
ident Grover Cleveland to-day, with let
ters of introduction from Gov. Francis
and other leading Missouri democrats.
The object of the visit was to secure from
ex-President Cleveland a more thorough
expression of his views on the silver
question than the latter has yet made to
the public; also for his reason for having
written his silver letter to the Reform
club. The ex-president received Stephens
very cordially. The treasurer explained
that the Missouri democrats we're now
opposed to Cleveland's nomination.. on
account Of his silver letter and asked him
why he W. ote that letter. II was we'll
aware" said the ex-president, "that the
republican party is very DESTROYS of max
ing the silver question one of the leading
issues of the campaign of 1892, and tho
question should be taken up at once. 1t
should be thoroughly discussed, so that
the people can be educated up to it. In
this way, it may be settled before 1892,
and we will be
ENDANGERED BY A DIVIDE PARTY.
Besides, [ was daily in receipt of hun
dreds of letters from democrats in all
parts of the country asking that T give
expression regarding free coinage. l
felt that these friends were entitled to
know how I stood on the question, and
SO L took the first favorable opportunity
to give my views, Since 1 did so l have
received large mail from all over the
country thanking me for having done SO.
My correspondents say the party had a
right to know my views, and that l
would not have acted in good faith if I
thorough discussion of the subject
among democrats they must admit that T
have acted wisely" "Butnow that letter
said Stephens, "would like to know in
case you are elected in 1892, and a demo-
cratic congress should pass
FREE COINAGE BILL,
would you veto it, 10 matter how great
a majority of your party favored the
measure?' eff l should be elected pres
ident in 1892" answered the ex-presi-
dent, "such a bill would not reach me
until 1894, as congress would not meet
until December, 1893, SO that this is a
bridge which | better not attempt to
cross until we come to it. What would
be bad for this country at the present
time might be a benefit then. The
amount of the present per capita should
be increased, but changes should be
made gradually. When the law was
passed providing for coinage for
$2,O00,OO0 per month, I feared the
result, for I thought 1t would prove an
injury to business interests of the coun.
try for some time at least. However,
the law proved a benefit, for, contrary to
my opinion, the country was.
READY FOR A CHANGE.
When the present law providing for
5 4,500,0O0 per month was passed, I
thought the measure too radical, and 1t
might have the effect of driving gold out
of the country, but in this l was mis-
taken, and both those opposed as well as
those in favor of free coinage, believe the
present a wise one, in so far that the
country has been benefited by it. With
the rapid strides the country is making
it is impossible to say what financial
measure we may be ready for in 1894.
In forming my views upon the subject I
did not alone consider the interests of
any one section of this country. Ihave
been unable to see how free coinage
could fail to be
AN INJURY TO E SECTION
of this country, believing 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 a monetary con
ference of the representatives of other
governments with orr own which would
agree upon a new standard of value by
suggestions that have been scotfed at by
Europeans. [ am pelighted that people
are now engaged in such thoughtful
consideration of this question and that
by 1892 they will have decided whether
or not we are ready to
HANDLE L THE SILVER
of the world" Stephens gave an account
of his visit to the ex-president shortly af-
ter leaving Cleveland. He tookssno notes,
but he thinks he thoroughly memorized
what Cleveland said. A representative of
the Associated Press called at Cleveland's
office this afternoon to ascer-
tain whether the interview, as given
above, was accurate. Cleveland said he
had not talked with anyone on the silver
question for publication. He had not
read the Telegram's article and could not
therefore say whether the statements
credited to him were an accurate express
sion of his views or not.
The Murderer Seen.
New YORK, April 24.-Now let the po-
lice of New York prove their boosted SUI