Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-04-23

NEW YORK, April ~ The Telegram
prints the following:
State Treasurer Lon " Stevens o.
Missouri called on ex-Prcsident 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 tC
secure from Mr. Cleveland more thor.
ough expression Of .his views on the SIT
yer question than the latter has so far
made public; also his reason for writ
ing his silver letter 10 the reform club.
The ex-president received Mr. Stevens
very cordially The treasurer ex-
planned that the Missouri democrats
were now opposed TO Mr.. Cleveland 5
nomination ON account OF his silver LETT
ter and asked him why he wrote the
letter.
II was well aware said the ex-presi-
dent, that the republican party is very
desirous Of making the silver question
one OF the leading issues Of 1892, and
the question must be taken up at once
II must be thoroughly discussed and the
people can be educated up TO IT, In
this way il 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
give an expression regarding free
coinage. felt that these friends were
entitled to know how / stood On the
question, and | took the first favorable
opportunity TO give my views. Since
have done so | have received large
mail from all over the country for hay-
ing done so. My correspondents say the
party had right 10 know my views,
and that ! could not have acted in good
faith If had kept them secret II
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 IL, no matter if you
knew the great majority of our party
favored the question:
''If ! should be elected in 1892, an
swered the ex-president ''such a bill
would not reach me until 1891, ~ con
gress would not meet until December
1893, 50 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 necessity in
1892. As the volume Of business in
creascs 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 proyid-
ing for the coinage OF $1,000, 600
] q 1...
the law providing for ST. 500. 900 per
month passed [ thought the measure
too radical, and that might have the cf-
feet OF driving gold out of the country,
but in this ] was mistaken, and both
those opposed as we'll as those ia favor
Of the free coinage believe that the pres
cnt law Is Il wise one
in so far that the country has
been benefited by it, With the
rapid strides the country is making, it
is impossible 20 say what financial
wc may be ready for in 1892
In forming my views upon She subject
did not alone consider the interests OF
any one citizen Of this country have
been unable 10 see how free coinage
could fail OF being an injury to
avery section OF this country. believ-
ing as do that it=would drive
gold out of circulation As We are in
great measure dependent on European
markets for our products, we are obliged /.
10 take them into consideration. When .
have suggested monetary conference /
)f the representatives OF othui govern F.
nents with our own, which would agree /
lpon astandard OF value my suggestions /
have been scoiied az by Europeans. / I
am delighted that the people are now I
Engaged in such a thoughtful consider I
ition OF this question. and that by 1892 /
hey viii have decided whether or not .
sc are ready TO handle all the silver in /
he world"
Mr., Stevens gave the account Of his /
iisit to the ex-president shortly after I
eaving Mr.. Cleveland. He took no
totes, but he thinks he memorized /
What Mr.. Cleveland said.
A representative of the Associated .
Press called at Mr. Cleveland's Office
his afternoon TO ascertain whether the
Interview as given as above was ac-
.urate.
Mr. Cleveland said he hal not talked
With any one on the silver question for
publication. He had not read the Tel
grams article. and could not say
whether the statements credited 20 him
we're au accurate expression Of his views
NJ not.