Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-24
SENATOR KENNA
Talks Fntertainingly on Ex-President
Cleyeland's Letter.
c,,s.5of gsle1rorU IN fbS Pe0isfer


Special telegram 10 ne Register.
CHARLESTON, February 23.-Befort
his departure for Washington, your
correspondent asked Senator Kenna his
views concerning Mr.. Cleveland's re-
cent letter on the silver question.
We'll" said he, nearly everybody
has had something to say about that
letter. IL has been the subject OF very
extended comment, which TO my mind
is a very significant fact. Mr.. Cleve-
land is Il private citizen. Why should
a letter from him on any subject agitate
the country? Suppose, for instance,
leX-PreSident Hayes should write let
ter on silver or any other subject, who
would put nickle in the slot to
buy the paper to read it? Mr.. Cleve-
lands views on silver are and have
/ ibeen well known. His letter contains
no news. 1t states only what every
/ body knew. Then why the great Hut
ter il has stirred? I'll tell you my
young friend what this means. II
means that an administration, which
for It's purity and honesty and patriot
/ ism will stand as the glory OF his party,
/ has marked this man aS majestic
| figure in the eyes OF his cOuntrymen.
1t means that the world wants TO know
! what Cleveland thinks and says. And
il means. 10 his credit, that he Is too
honest and brave a man to hide his
views or conceal his opinions from the
public even If their expression should
cost him the Presidency
"Do you think his letter will do
that?"
1T will make him, politically speaking
both friends and enemies. II the silver
question should be settled be settled by
this or the next Congress, as it ought TO
be, his letter or his views on that par
ticular question may be Of less conse-
Quence than now"
"What do you think of the letter
itself?"
IL do no agree with its distinguished
author The Eastern idea that the free
coinage OF silver will result In disaster
has been urged for years, and yet every
prediction of evil result has been diSap-
poiuted. Silver was worth premium
when il was demOnetized. If free coin
age would bring disaster now, why
didn't il bring disaster when we had
free coinage? lit commanded a premium
when we had free coinage, why Will 1t not
command a premium or maintain It's par
when We have free coinage? / disagree
with Mr.. Cleveland on the subject OF
silver. but | am not going 10 abuse hlm
because he diSagrecS with me. | ditfer
with him on this subject, but | agree
with him on nearly every other, and
am not going 10 forget the great service
he has rendered the country and de-
nounce him because we can not make
our opinions unanimous.
"Will he be renomnated?'
That is saquestion which must leave
where be has left ito its own solution.
The Democratic party has plenty OF ma
terial. bur Mr.. Cleveland is great,
honest, good man, and, nominated or
not. he will always command the re-
Spect of the country.
what can you tell me OF Anderson
casr? Will they turn him out?'
"I think not. lie has conducted from
the beginning till now the most re
markahle contest ever knew. From
the pursuit of the kanawha County
Court q rOugh back lots aud over FENCES
aud into stables to serve his process IN
il to the closing hours OF this Congress
lac has had Ia season aud out OF season
perpetual war on his hands. lie has
met the issue with a courage aud energy
which have thus far even his great
fight aud believe these same qualities
will serve HIM ia the end.
'NWLat about reapportioumeut9'
"Oh, ] have no doubt our Legislature
will do what is required by the ConSll-
tuition and do it judiclously. 1t Is au
undertaking full OF embarraSSment, but
think the Democrats are disposed To
meet il in spirit Of accommodation
and concession aud do what seems rca-
sonable aud best. | would cheerluliy
talk with you further if you desired II
but do not like 10 remain away from
Washington at this juncture aud must
leave on the east bound train. You can
chose what you say Of tins talk by stat
ing that the Force Bill is dead. Some
GOOD Democrat may still have miSgiy-
ings about it and You will gladden. his
heart"