The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1891-04-25
GROVER ON SILVER.
State Treasurer Stephens of Mis-
souri,. Calls on Ex-Presidcnt
Grover Cleveland
To Get Il More Thorough Expression
of His Views on the
Silver Question.
He Says the Republicans Want to
Make the Silver Question
Lending Issue in '92.
Grover Explains Further.

Grover Explains Further
New YORK, April 21.-The Telegram
prints the following: State Treasurer
Stephens, of Missouri, called on express
ident Grover Cleveland to-day, with let
tiers of introduction from Gov. Francis
and other leading Missouri democrats.
The object of the visit was to secure from
ex-President Cleveland more thorough
expression of his views on the silver
question than the latter has yet made to
the public; also for his reason for having
written his silver letter to the Reform
club. The ex-president received Stephens
very cordially. The treasurer explained
that the Missouri democrats were now
opposed to Cleveland's nomination.. on
account of his silver letter and asked him
why he W. ote that letter. II was we'll
aware" said the ex-president, "that the
republican party is very desirons of max
ing the silver question one of the leading
issues of the campaign of 1892, and tho
question should be taken up at once. It
should be thoroughly discussed SO that
the people can be educated up to it. In
this way, it may be settled before 1892,
and we will be
ENDANGERED BY DIVIDED PARTY.
Besides, L was daily in receipt of hun
dreds of letters from democrats in all
parts of the country asking that I give
expression regarding free coinage. 1
felt that these friends were entitled to
know how [ stood on the question, and
SO took the first favorable opportunity
to give my views, Since 1 did so have
received large mail from all over the
country thanking me for having done SO.
My correspondents say the party had
right to know my views, and that l
would not have acted in good faith if 1
had kept them secret. If have caused
thorough discussion of the subject
among democrats they must admit that I
have acted wisely" "But now that letter
has Eeen written, Missouri democrats"
said Stephens, Swould like to know in
case You are elected in 1892, and demo-
cratic congress should pass
y. A FREE COINAGE BILL,
would you veto it, no matter how great
a majority of your party favored the
measure?" "If | should be elected pres
ident i'll 1892" answered the ex-presi-
dent, "such bill would not reach me
until 1894, as congress would not meet
until December, 1893, so that this is
bridge which better not attempt to
cross until we come to it. What would
be bad for this country at the present
time might be a benefit then. The
amount of the present per capita should
be increased, but changes should be
made gradually. When the law was
passed providing for coinage for
90 Nll
result, for [ thought 1t would prove an
try for some time at least. However,
the law proved benefit, for, contrary to
my opinion, the country was
READY FOR A CHANGE.
When the present law providing for
$4,5O0000 per month was passed,
thought the measure too radical, and 1T
might have the effect of driving gold out
of the country, but in this was mis-
taken. and both those opposed as we'll as
those in favor of free coinage, believe the
present 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
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 this country. Ihave
been unable to see how free coinage
could fail to be
AN INJURY TO EVERY SECTION
of this country, believing it would drive
gold out of circulation. AS we are in
great measure dependent upon European
markets for our products, we are
obliged to take them into consideration.
When have suggested a monetary con-
ference of the representatives of other
governments with our own which would
agree upon a new standard of value by
suggestions that have been scotfed at by
Europeans. am pelighted that people
are now engaged in such thoughtful
consideration of this question and that
by 1892 they will have decided whether
or not we are ready to
HANDLE ALI. THE SILVER
of the world" Stephens gave an account
of his visit to the ex-president shortly af-
ter leaving Cleveland. He took. mo notes,
but he thinks he thoroughly memorized
what Cleveland said. A representative of
the Associated Press called at Cleveland's
office this afternoon to ascer-
tain whether the interview, as given
above, was accurate. Cleveland said he
had not talked with anyone on the silver
question for publication. He had not
read the Telegram's article and could not
therefore say whether the statements
credited to him were an accurate express
sion OF his views or not.