The New York herald., 1869-02-23
VETO MESSAGE.

The Bill Regulating the Duties ON Imported
Copper and Copper Ores Returned 70 C0H-
gress with the Presidents Objections.
N WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 1892
The President to-day communicated the following
message to the House OF Representatives,
Tne accompanying bill, regulating the duties on
imported copper and copper ores. Is, for the I0l-
lowing reasons, returned without my approval to
the House OF Representatives, IN which branch OF
Congress 1t originated. Its immediate effect will he
10 dIminisn the public receipts the object Of the
bill cannot be accomplished without seriously Affect
ing the Importation OF copper and copper ores, from
which considerable revenue 10 at present derived.
While thus impairing tine resources OF the govern
ment It imposes an additional tax on an alzeady
bst no mononoes o' nav he
f0stered ana corporations enriched. 1t Ii repre-
sented and the oeclaration seems TO be sustained
vldes are nearly quite suricient to prohibit the
importation OF certain foreign ores OF copper. It's
enactment, therefore, WIN prove detrimental to the
time destroy the business for many years success
fully established, Of smelling ores In connection with
q smaller amount OF the imported article This busi-
ness 1t credbly asserted. has heretofore yielded
the larger snare OF the copper production Of the
country, and thus the Industry which this legts-
lation Is designed to encourage Is actually less
than that which win be destroyed by the passage Of
the BILL It seems as0 to be evident that the effect
OF this measure would be to enhance by seventy per
cent the cost or blue vitrio an article extensively
used In dyeing and in the manufacture OF printed
and colored cloths: 10 produce such an augmenta-
criminate against other branches OF Industry and by
increasing their cost to expose them most unfairly
the effects q foreign compstitlon % LEGISLATION can
single interest at the expense ana 70 the injury Of
many and varied interests at least equally Important
nnd equally deserving the consideration Of Congress.
Indeed 1t Is dnicult to md any reason which viii
justify the interference OF the government with any
Legitimate industry except 50 far as may be rendered
has already been stated However, the legislative In
tervention proposed In the present instance VIII
diminish and not increase the public receipts. The
enactment OF sucn law s urged as necessary for
the relief Of certain mining interests Lake Su-
peri0r which 1t Is alleged are In greatly depressed
condition. AID can ony be sustained BY an enhance
ment OF the price OF copper. II this result should
Follow the passage OF the btll tax for the exciu-
stve benefit OF single class would be imposed upon
the consumers OF copper throughout the entire con
try, not warranted Dy a need OF the government.
and the avaiis OF which would not IN any degree
naon. wa tSs mines Tue Of sKs snner;os 81 e
IN condition Of want cannot be justly afrmed
that the government should extend charity to them
In preference to those OF Its citizens who In other
portions OF the country, suffer insikes manner from
destltution. Least OF all should the endeavor to and
them be based on method 30 uncertain and indi-
rect as that contemplated by the BILL ana which,
moreover, proposes to continue the exercise or its
benefaction through an indefinite period OF years.
ing from want l IL really exists, Will prove but tem-
porary In region where agricultural labor Is 30
careful examination OF the subject appears TO show
that the present low price OF copper, which
alone has induced any depression the mining inter-
ests OF Lake.Supcror may have experienced, Is due
to causes which 1t IS wholly lmpolitc II not mprac
ticAble TO contravene by legislation. These causes
are In the main increase IN the general supply OF
copper, owing to the discovery and working OF re-
markaby productive mines, and to . colncident
restriction In the consumption and use Of copper by
the substitution OF other aud cheaper metals Tor In
dusrrnl purposes. IL Is now sought ~ resist by
artificial means the action Unnatural laws. to place
the people OF the United States IN respect t0the
joyment and use OF an essential commodity on
q different basis from other nations. es-
peclally TO compensate certain private and
sectional interests for the changes which are
always incident TO industrial progress. Although
providing for an increase or duties, the proposed
law does not come within the range OF protec-
ton In the lair acceptatton OF theterm. IL does not
look to the fostering OF young and feeble interest
with view TO the ultimate attainment OF strength
ami the capacity OF sel-support. II appears to
sumo that the present inability for successful pro-
duction Is Inherent and permanent and more
likely 10 increase than TO be gradually overcome
Yet In spite OF this 1t proposes, by the exercise OF
to impose 1t In hopeless perpetuity as tax upon
the competent ana Deneiicent Industries OF the
country. The true method for the mining interests
OF Lake Superior 70 obtain relief, y relief is
natural resources fuly available by reduc-
ing the cost Of production. Special or
class legislation cannot remedy the evlls
which this bill IS designed TO meet they can only be
and economical administration OF the government
re-cstablishmcnt OF the specie standard OF value
and an early adjustment OF our system OF State mu-
ncipal aud national taxation, especially the latter
collected under the internal revenue or under tariff
shall interfere a. little possible with the pro-
ductve energies OF the people. Tho bill " therefore
returned In the belief that the true interests OF the
not become law. ANDREW JOHNSON.