The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-22
Mr.. Cleveland Credied With an
Exposition Of theVery I'M
portant QUESTION.
The Last Two Silver Laws Were
Beneficial, Fpe Coinage
Might Also Be.
4 Bridge to BE Crossed When Reached
The Question b BE Solved In
Duerime

New York, April 3.-The Telegram this
afternoon printed ! statement that State
Treasurer Stephens of Missouri. called on
ex-President Cleveland with letters from
Gov. Francis and other leading Missouri
democrats, in orde to secure from Cleve-
land q more thopugh exposition of his
views on tho silve question than given in
the letter recently widely circulated Re-
plying to questbns, Cleveland said. ac-
cording to Stekhens, that the question
should be thoroughly discussed be-
fore 1892, tint there may be no
danger of divided party. Stephens
reminded him that western democrats
wanted to knovif Cleveland were elected
in 1892, and | free coinage bill passed,
would he veto i. no matter if he knew the
majority of the party favored it. Cleve-
land replied: 'If should be elected presi.
dent in 1892, bill would not reach ne
until 1894, as congress would not meet until
December, 1873. So that is bridge we had
better not crDss till we come to it. What
would be bal for the country to-day might
be necessity in 1894. AS the volume of
business Increases it is necessary to increase
the currency. When the law was passed pro-
yiding fer the coinage of two million
dollars monthly, feared the result, for l
thought it would prove an injnry to the
business interests of the country, for time
at least However, the law proved bene-
tit, for contrary to my opinion, the coun-
try was ready for the change.
"When the present law providing for the
coinage of %4.500,000 per month passed, L
thought the measure too radical, and that
it might have the effect of driving gold out
of the country, but in this l was mistaken,
and both those opposed to, as we'll RS those
in favor Of free coinage, believe the pres
ent law a wise one, in SO far that the coun-
try has 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, did not alone
consider the interests of any one section of
the country. | had been unable to see
how free coinage could fail of being an
INJURY to every section of the country,
believing it would drive gold out of circu
lation. AS we are in great measure de-
pendent upon European markets for our
consideration. When have suggested a
monetary conference of representa-
tives of other governments with our
own which could agree upon new stand
ard of values, my suggestions have been
scoffed at by Europeans. The people are
now euRAR0l Ill Sucn tnOugntIul COnSlQerA-
tion of the subject that by 1891 they will
have decided whether or not we are ready
to'handle all the silver of the world.'
Stephen gave the above account of his
visit to a reporter this afte, noon. A repre-
sentative of the Associated press called at
Cleveland's Office to ascertain if the inter
view was accurate. Cleveland said he had
not talked with anyone on the silver ques-
tion for publication. He had not read the
article and could not therefore say whether
the statements credited to him were an ac-
curate expression of his views or not.