The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-22
CHANGED HIS TONE.
EX-PFesideHt Cleveland Greatly Mobiles Ills
Views on Free Coinage.

NEW YORK, April 21.-The Telegram this
afternoon printed a statement that State
Treasurer Stephens of Missouri had called
on cx-President Cleveland with letters from
Governor Francis and other leading Missouri
Democrats, in order to secure from Cleye-
land more thorough exposition of his
views on the silver question than was given
in his letter which was recently widely cir
culated. Replying to questions. Cleveland
said, according to Stephens, that the ques-
ton should be thoroughly discussed before
1892 in order that thsre may be no danger
of divided party. Stephens reminded him
that the Western Democrats wanted to
know that if Cleveland was elected in 1892
and free coinage bill was passed, would
he veto it, no matter if he knew the major
ity of the party favored it,
Cleveland replied: ." If | should be elect
ed President in 1892 the bill would not reach
me until 1894, as Congress would not meet
until December, 1898, so that Is bridge we
had better not cross until we come 10 it.
What would be bad for the country to-day
might be necessary u 1894 As the volume
of business increases IL IS necessary to in
crease the currency. When the law was
passed providing for the coinage of 81, 900
monthly | feared the result for thought it
would prove an injury 10 the business inter-
eStS Of the country, for a time at least,
However. the law proved 4 benefit, for, con-
trary to my opinion. the country was ready
for the change. When the present law pro-
viding for 81, 800, 900 per month was passed,
thought the measure too radl al and that
it might have the effect of driving gold out
of the country, but in this | was mistaken,
and both those who are opposed to- as well
as those IN favor of free coinage believe the
present law wise one, insofar that the
country has been benefited by it.
with the rapid strides the country is
making it is impossible to say what finan-
cial 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. L have 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 circula-
tion. AS we are in great measure depend
ent upon European markets Tor our prod
ucts, we are obliged TO take them into
consideration. Whenever have suggested
monetary conference of representatives of
other governments with our own, which
could agree upon new standard of values.
my suggestions have been Scotfed at by
Europeans. am delighted that the people
are now engaged in such thoughtful con-
sideratiOn of the subject, aud that by 1892
thoy will have decided whether or not we
are ready to handle all the silver of the
world
Stephens gave the above account of his
visit TO a reporter this afternoon. A repre-
sentative of the Associated Press afterward
called at Cleveand's office to ascertain II
the interview was accurate. Cleveland said
he had not talked with any one on the sill
yer question for publication. He had not
read the article and could not therefore say
whether the statements credited to him were
an accurate expression of his views or not.