Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-23
CLEVELAND'S SILVER VIEWS
Why He Wrote the Letter De-
filming His Position.
PARTY HAD A RIGHT TO KNOW
A Trifle of a Modification in
His Attitude.
The Conditions of the Country Change So
That What May be Considered Injurious
Now May be a Necessity In Two or Three
Years Hence.

New YORK, April 21.-To secure more
thorough expression of the ex-President's
views on the silver question than has as
yet been given, says the Etening Telegram,
State Treasurer Lon V. Stephens of Mis-
souri,, to-day called on Hon. Grover Cleve-
land with letters of introduction from
Governor Francis and other leading Mis-
souri, Democrats.
The ex-Presdent received Mr.. Stephens
cordially. The treasurer explained that
the Missouri Democrats were now opposed
to Mr. Cleveland's nomination on account
of his silver letter, and asked him why he
wrote that letter.
II Was well AWARE said the ex-Presi-
dent, that the Republican party is very
DESTROYS Of making the silver question one
OF the leading issues of the campaign of
ls92 and the question should be taken up
at once. 1t should be thoroughly dis
cussed, so that the people can be educated
up to It. In this way it may be settled be-
fore 1892, and we will not be endangered
by divided party. Besides, | was daily
in receipt of hundreds of letters from
Democrats in all parts of the county ask
ing that | give an expression regarding
free coinage. felt that those friends were
entitled to know how ! stood on the uues-
ton, and so took the first favorable OPP
portunity to give my views. Since did
SO have received large mail from all
over the country thanking me for having
done so. My correspondents say that the
party had a right to know my views, and
that lwould not have acted in good faith if
had kept them secret. Ii have caused
thorough discussion of the subject
among Democrats, they must admit that
acted wisely"
'..But, now that the letter has been
written, the Missouri Democracy" said
MIR. Stephens, ''would like to know if in
case you are elected President in 1892, and
a Democratic Congress should pass Free
tonnage blll, would you veto it, no matter
II you knew that the great majority of
your party favored the measured"
II 1 should be elected President in
io92, answered the eX-President, "such
Dill would not reach me until 1894, as Con-
gress would not meet unil December, 1898.
80 that 1t is bridge we had better not at
tempt to cross until we come to il. What
would be bad for the country at the pres
sent time might be necessity in 1891 AS
the volume Of business increases it is nee
essary to increase the currency. The
amount OF the present per capita should be
increased, but changes should be made
gradually. the law was passed proyid-
ing for the coinage of $1,000, Cooper month,
feared the result, for thought it would
prove an injury to the business interests
OF the country for the time at least How
ever, the law proved benefit, for, con-
trary to my opinion, the country was
ready for the change. When the present
law providing for 81, 800 900 per month
was passed, | thought the measure too
radical, and that it might have the effect
,of driving gold out of this country, but in
this ! was mistaken, and both those op-
posed as well as those in favor of free coin
age believe. that the present law is wise
one, in so far that the country has bene-
fitted 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.
I'm forming my views upon the subject
4 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 diversified inter
ests, should not be viewed from the stand
point of any section. have been unable
to see how free coinage could fail of being |
an injury to every section Of this country, |
believing as do that it would drive gold |
out of circulation. AS we are in great |
measure dependent upon European mar
kets for our products, we are Obliged to |
take them into consideration.
When | have suggested a monetary
conference of the representatives other
governments with our own which could |
agree upon new standard of value, my
have been scoffed at by Euro
peans. am delighted that the people
are now engaged in such thoughtful
of this question, and that
BY 1892 they will have decided whether or
lot we are ready to handle all the silver of
he world"
A representative of the Associated Press
allied at Mr. Cleveland's office this after
noon to ascertain whether the interview as
siven above was accurate. Mr.. Cleveland
aid he had not talked with any one on
he, silver question for publication. He
lad not read the interview quoted, and
ould not, therefore, say whether the state
nents credited to him were an accurate
Expression of his views or not