Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-04-22
cLevELANo's SILVER VIEWS.
He Intimates He Might Sign Ere.
Coinage Bili In is0a.

He Intimates He Might Sign Free
Coinage Bnl In 1sDa.
New York, April 2.-Sta1e Treasurer
Il. V. Stephens, of Missouri, called on ex-
President Grover Cleveland yesterday with
letters of introduction from Governor
Francis and other leading Missouri Dem
ocratS Mr.. Stephens object was to
secure from the ex-president q more
thorough expression OF his views on the
silver question than the latter has 50 far
made public. Also for his reason fer hav-
ing written his silver letter to the Reform
club Mr.. Stephens was journalist for
several years, and although he took no
notes he thinks he thoroughly memorized
what Mr. Cleveland said. It was to the
effect that the ex-president was aware that
the Republican party was desirous OF max
ing the silver question one of the leading
questions Of the campaign Of 1892 and thai
he wrote the letter In answer TO hundreds
of letters from all parts of the conntr,
asking him to give his expression regard
ing free coinage In answer to a question
whether II he were elected president H.
1892 and Democratic congress should
pass free coinage bill, would he veto 1t,
Mr.. Cleveland said;
If should be elected president in 1850
such bill would not reach me until 1894
as congress would not meet until Decem-
Der, 1893 So that Is a bridge we had better
not attempt to cross until we come 70 it.
What would be bad for the country at th,
present time might be necessity IN 1891
As the volume of business increases il
is necessary TO increase the currency. Tn,
amount Of the present per capita shoul,
be increased, but changes should be mad,
gradually. When the law was passed pro
viding for the coinage of S2,0O00c0 pu
month feared the result, for / thought IL
would prove an injury to the business IN.
terests of the country for the time at least
However, the law proved benefit, for
contrary to my opinion, the country wa
ready for the change. When the presen
law providing for 81, 10000 per month wa,
passed, thought the measure too radical
and that it might have the effect of dris
ing gold out OF the country.
But in this | was mistaken, and botl
those opposed as well as those in favor o
free coinage believe that the present Law
is a wise one in SO far that the country hp
benflted by it. With the rapid strides th,
country is making it is impossible to sa5
what financial measures we may be read,
for Ia 1894 In forming my views upon Tia,
subject l did not alone consider the inter
ests Of any one section of the country
Ny only desire is to see financial Legislation
enacted that will benefit the people ia til,
west as well as those in the east, and thos,
in the north as well az those in the south
This great country OF ours, with it,
diversified interests, should not be viewe,
from the standpoint Of any section. ]
have been unable to see how free coinage
could fail of being an injury to every sec
tion of this country, believing as do thai
it would drive gold out Of circulation. Al
we are in a great measure dependent upol
European markets for our products, w
are Obliged TO take them with considera
ton. When / have suggested monetary
conference Of the representatives Of other
governments with our own which could
agree upon a new standard of value, my
suggestions have been scoffed at by Euro
peans. / am delighted that the people ar,
now engaged in such thoughtful consid
GRAFTON of the question, and that by 1872
they win have decided whether or not we
are ready to handle all the silver of the
world