The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-03-25
HE IS ON The WATCH
President Cleveland Keeps On Thinking
hb1ut The Silver Bill
1T IS NEARING THE HOUR
Friends OF the White Metal Visit
the President and Pray That
He Do Justice to
the People.

WASHINGTON, March q. - President
Cleyeland's private Office and the exccu-
tive mansion was the center of unusual
activity to-day. as the lcadin. silver men
OF congress appeared before him TO urge
that lie sign the Bland bill. Representa-
tives Williams. Forman and McDlnuod
of Illinois came with Representatives Mar
tin, Brookshire AMI McNany of Indiana.
Accompanying them was the son OF eS-Scc-
retary of the Treasury McCullcch. who
came as western banker To urge the
signing of the bill. Representative Bryan
was there 10 urge the desire OF the far
northwest that the bill he signcd. Repre-
sentative McMillin was just back from n
visit to his state, which satisfied him that
the silver veto meant political disaster.
Representative Tucker and Wiso OF Nir-
gnia were there with the Virginia senator,
Hunton, on the same mission. Repre-
sentatiyes Patterson Of Tennessee,
Wheeler of Alabama, Carruth of heu-
lucky, Black of Illinois and Siblcy OF
Pennsylvania added to the gathering.
Every one of the callers was an ardent
silver man, except, possibly. Black, and
lie, too, was there TO urge that the people
of Illinois wanted the bill signed.
The president showed much interest in
the various plans presented. No effort
was made by tho congressman to conceal
tho feeling that tho existence of the
present majority in congress depended on
the signing of the bill.
Representative McMiilin said no demo-
crat would be elected in Mississippi who
would endorse a silver veto.
Representative Bryan OF Nebraska took
as his text the significant fact that the
center Of population of the tniIcd States
was s0l miles west OF New York. He said
the northwestern people feared the prcsi-
dent closed his eyes 10 them and thought
only of the East.
President Cleveland stood by the side OF
n large desk, one hand resting on 1t. aud
spoke TO the 10 or - earnest men before
him. Ito spoke of his anxiety to help the
congressman and their people b. such
action as would be best Tor the whole
country. II was not n question about ma
joritics in congress, or OF any other per-
sonal or self consideration. III, told them
that they had his sympathy and he ear.
nestly wished he was able To look at the
matter :.nl act solely from their point Of
view. In fact nothing would please him
more than to leave the matter To bo sct-
tied by congress, But congress had
turned it over to him aud upon him rested
the responsibility, which he could not and
would not evade. Tho performance OF
his full duty obliged him 10 consider the
welfare of the whole people, and that duty
he should endeavor 10 discharge to the
best OF his ability. To that end nc had
sought information from all sources and
heard all interests. lie intended To take
all the facts into consideration and base
his decision upon the conviction that he
should reach as to the interests of the
whole people. He spoke feelingly OF the
gravity OF the responsibility imposed
upon him by the differences in the yari-
Gus localities.
He pointed out some OF the features
urged against the bill. Hc did not say
they were fatal defects, yet the tendency
of his statements was to show that he
could not yet reconcile himself TO the
views the silver men had expressed. To
one OF the congressman Cleveland pointed
out that his main fear was against the
section OF the bill which may cause run
on the treasury for tho redemption OF
treasury notes IN gold.
An important criticism advanced by
Cleveland that the praseolo:y of the bill
was defective, in tho judgmcn; of eminent
legal authorities. He pointed out that tho
wording of the section directing the coin
age OF the seigniorhge WAS such that while
1t seemed TO authorize S5j,OoO,OJ0, It was