Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-04-28

prints the following:
State Treasurer Lon V.:SJevens of
Missouri called on ex-President Grover
Cleveland to-day with letters of intro
duction from Governor Francis and
other leading Missouri democrats. The
object of the visit of Mr.. Stevens was to
secure from Mr.. Cleveland more thor
ough expression of his views on the sill
yer question than the latter has so far
made public: also his reason for writ
ing his silver letter to the reform club.
The eX-president received Mr.. Stevens
very cordially. The treasurer ex-
planned that the Missouri democrats
were now opposed to Mr.. Clevelands
nomination on account of hissilver let
ter and asked him why he wrote the
letter.
II was we'll aware" said the eX-presi-
dent, 'that the republican party is very
DESTROYS of making the silver question
one of the leading issues of 1892, and
the question must be taken up at once.
1t must be thoroughly discussed and the
people can be educated up to it. In
this way it can be settled before 1892
and we will not be en-
dangered by divided party. Be-
sides, was in daily receipt of letters
from all parts of the country asking that
l give an expression regarding free
coinage. felt that these friends were
entitled to know how | stood On the
question, and I took the first favorable
opportunity to give my views. Since |
have done SO I have received a Large
mail from all over the country for 'hav-
ha
party had right to know my views.
and that Icould not have acted in good
faith if had kept them a secret. If l
have caused discussion among demo-
Gratis, then acted wisely.
'''But now that the letter has been
written, the democrats" said Mr..
Stevens, would like to know
that in case you are elected
president in 1892, and a democratic con-
gress should pass free coinage bill,
would you veto it, no matter if yol.
knew the great majority of our party
favored the question:"
eff | should be elected in 1892" an
swered the ex-president, ''such bill
would not reach me until 1894, as con-
gress would not meet until December,
1893, SO that is a bridge we had better
not attempt TO cross until we come to it.
What would be bad for the country at.
the present time might be a necessity in
1892. AS the volume of business in
creases it is necessary to increase the
currency. The amount OF the present
per capita should be increased, but
changes should be made gradually.
When the law was passed provid-
ing for the coinage of 100000
per month l feared the result. When
the law providing for $a,500,0G0 per
month passed [ thought she measure
too radical, and that might have the eff
feet ofdriving gold out of the country,
but in this l was mistaken, and both
those opposed as well as those in favor
of the free coinage believe that the %res-
'ent law is 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
measures VIC may be ready for in 1892.
In forming my views upon the subject.
| did not alone consider the interests of
any one citizen of this country. | have
been unable to see how free coinage
could fail of being an injury to
every section OF this country, believ-
ing as / do that it would drive
gold out of circulation. AS we are in a
great measure dependent On European
markets for our products, weare obliged
to take them into consideration. When
/ have suggested q monetary conference
Of the representatives of other govern |
ments with our own. which would agree |
upon astandard of value, my suggestions
have been scoffed at by Europeans. 1
am delighted that the people are now
engaged in such thoughtful consider
alton of this question, and that by 1892