The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-04-25
CLEVELAND AND SILVER
lie is interviewed by State Treasurer
Stephens Of Missouri on
the Subject.
NON-CCMMlTTAl ON THE QUESTION.
He Thinks the People Should be
Educated Concerning the Metal
Before 1892.
Confe,Ses His Opinions Have Under
gon Changes Since the Pas
sa :e ofthp Coinage aw.

NEW YORK. April p. The Telegram
prints the following: state Treasurer
Stephens Of Missouri called on ex-Prcsi-
dent Grover Cleveland today with letters
of introduction from Gov. Francis and
other leading Missouri democrats. The
object of the visit was to secure from ex-
President Cleveland a more thorough eX-
preston of his views on the silver ques-
ton than the latter has SO far made pub
lie: also for his reason for having written
his silver letter to the Reform club. The
cx- president received Stephens very cor
daily. The treasurer explained that the
Missouri democrats were now opposed to
Cleveland on account Of his silver letter,
and asked him why he wrote that letter.
Il was we'll aware" said the eXprpsi-
dent. that the republican party is very
DESTROYS of making the silver question
| one Of the leading issues Of the campaign
Of 1892. and the question should betaken
up at once. II should be thoroughly dis.
| cusscd SO that the people can be edu-
! Gated up to il. h this way it may be set
tied before 1892 and We will not be
endangered by divided party. Besides
was daily in receipt Of hundreds of let.
trrs from democrats in all parts of the
| country asking that | give AN expression
| regarding free coinage. | felt that these
friends we're entitled to know how
stood on the question and SO l. q the
first favorable opportunity to give my
views. Since | did 50 | have received Il
large mail from all over the country
thanking me for having done So. My
correspondents say the party had a right
to know my views, and that | would not
have acted in good faith if | had kept
them secret. If | have caused Il thor
Ough discussion of the subject among
democrats they must admit that | acted
wisely"
But now that the letter has been writ
ten, Missouri democrats" said Stevens.
would like to know in case you are elected
in 1892 and a acknowledgements should
pass a free coinage bill. would you veto it.
no matter if YOU knew that a great major
itv If your party favored the measure?
IF | should be elected president in
1892" answered the g president. "such
Il hill would not reach me until 1894. as
congress would not meet until December,
1893. SO that this is a bridg" which |
would better not attempt to cross until
we come to 1t. What would be bad for
the country at the present time uight b"
a benefit then. Tn" amount of the pres
cnt per capita should be increased, but
changes should he made gradually.
When the law was passed providing for
the coinage Of S2.OUO.OD per month
feared the result for ! thought it would
prove an injury to the business interests
Of the country for a tim" at least. How
ever, tn" law proved ii benefit. in my
opinion the country was ready for the
change. When the present law provid-
ing for ~5i,JOO.oOO per month was passed
| thought the measure too radical and il
might HAY" the effect Of driving gold out
Of the country, but | was mistaken. Both
those opposed as we'll as those in ~fayuruf
free coinage briicv" the present law il a
wise one IN 81 Tar that the country has
benefited 10y It. With the rapid strides
the country Is making if is impossible t.
say what financial measure we may hr
ready FOR in 1884 In framing NV view
upon tn" subject | did not alone CONSIDER
| the interests of any one section of this
country. | have been unable 10 see how
free coinage could fail to bc an injury (,
every section of this country. hrlicvin!
/ il would drive gold out of circulation
As We were and are in a great mcasur,
dependent on the European market io
our products. we are obliged to tax,
them into consideration.
"Whcn ! have suggested Il munctar
conference Of representatives Of Othr
governments with our own which COul,
agree upon Il new standard of value III
suggestions have been sCOtfed at b
Europeans. | am delighted that the pc,
pie are now engaged in such thOughtfu
consideration Of the question and b
1892 they will have decided whether q
not We are ready to handle all the siiyr
Of the world
.sStephrns gave an account Of his VISIT t
the eX- president shortly after lcavln
Cleveland. He took no notes, but h
thinks he thoroughly memorizcd wha
Cleveland said. \ representative Of tn
associated press called at Cleveland
office this afternoon to ascertain whcthc
the interview as given above was acru
rate. Cleveland said he had not talkr
with any one on the silver question f.
publication. He had read the Telegram
article and could not therefore 81
whether the statements credited to hi
were accurate expressions Of his views
not.
The hest the market affords is serve