The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-18
The Presidents Reasons for Approx
ing the 0leomargarine Bill.

The following message was sent by
the President to the House, in connec-
ton with the statement that he had ap-
proved the oleomargaiine bill.
To the House of Representatives:
have this day approved a bill origin
ating in the House of Representatives
entitled IAN act defining butter, also
imposing Il tax upon and regulat ng the
manufacture, sale, importation and ex
portation of oleOmargarine." This log
islation has awakened much interest
among the people of the country, and
earnest argument has been addressed to
the Executive for the purpose of infu-
encing his action thereupon. Many in
opposition have urged its dangerous
character as tending to break down the
bounds between the proper exercise of
legislative power by Federal and State
authority. Many in favor of the enact
ment have represented that it promised
great advantage to large portion of
our population who sadly need relief,
and those on both sides of the question
whose advocacy or opposition Is based
upon no broader foundation than local
or personal interest, have outnumbered
all the others.
The bill was first introduced in the
House Of Representatives, wherein the
Constitution declares that all bills for
raising revenue shall originate.
The COntitution has invested Con
gress with very wide legislative disere-
ton, both as to the necessity of taxa
ton and the selection of the objects Of
ITS burdens. And though if the ques-
ton was presented to me, as an original
proposition, | might doubt the present
need OF increased taxation, | deem it my
duty liz this instance to defer to the
judgment of the legislative branch Of
the government, which has been so EN-
phatically announced in both of the
Houses OF Congress upon the passage of
this bill. Moreover, those who desire to
see removed the weight of taxation nov
pressing upon the people, from other
directions, may well be justified in the
hope and expectation that the selection
OF an additional subject of internal tax
alton, so well able TO bear it, will, in
consistency, be followed by legislation
relieving our citizens from other revenue
burdens rendered by the passage of this
bill even more than heretofore unneces-
sary ana needlessly oppressive.
IL has been urged as an objection 10
tins measure that while purporting to
be legislation for revenue, its real
purpose Is to destroy, by the use of the
taxing power, one industry of our peo-
pie for the protection and benefit of
another. If entitled to indulge i'm such
a suspicion as basis of official action
IN this case, and if entirely satisfied that
the consequences indicated would epsue
should doubtless feel constrained to
interposc Executive dissent. But I do
not feel called upon to interpret the
motives of Congress, otherwise than by
the apparent character of the bill which
has been presented to me. and | an,
convinced that the taxes which il
creates cannot possibly destroy the open
and legitimate manufacture and sale of
the thing upon which it is levied.
If this article has the merit which its
frieLds claim for it, and if the people of
:he land, with full knowledge Of its real
character, desire to purchase and use il.
the taxes enacted by this bill will per
nit fair profit to both manufacturer
and dealer. If the existence of the
taxed, and the profits of its
and sale depend unon
disposing Of it to the people for some
thing else, which it deceitfull- initiates
the entire enterprise is fraud and not
an industry, and if it cannot endure the
exhibition of its real character which
will be effected by the inspection. super
Vision and stamping which this bin
llrects, then the sooner il is DESTROYED
the better in the interest of fair deal
ng.
such result would not furnish the
lrst instance in the history of legisIa-
ION In which a revenue bill produced a
oeneht which was merely incidental to
Is main purpose.
There Is certainly no industry better
entitled TO the incidental ADVANTAGES
which may follow this legislation than
'ur farming and dairy interests, and to
zone OF our people should thew be less
'egrudged than our farmers ard dairy
men. The present depression of their oc-
the hard, steady and often
inremunerative toll which such occupa-
Ion exact and the burdens of taxation,
'nicn our agriculturists necessarily
'ear, entities them to every legitimate
consideration. Nor should there be opp
ition TO the incidental effect of this
egisiatIon on the part of those who pro-
ess to be engaged honestly aud fairly in
ne manufacture of wholesome and
aiuable article of food which. by its
rovlsions, may be subject to taxation.
Is long as their business is carried on
nder cover and by false pretepses such
aen have had companions in those
those manufactures, however vile and
armfui, take their place without chal-
snge with better sort in a common
rasade of deceit against the people.
tut II this occupation and its methods
re forced into the fight, and all these
must thus either stand up
their own merits or fall, he good and
ne Dad must soop part company, and
pc hstest only will survive.
NOT the least important incident re-
tee to this legislation is the defense
norded to the consumer against the
'auduient substitution and sale of an
nltatlon Tor genuine article of food Of
ery general household use. Notwith-
andiDg the immense quantity Of the
'ticie described in the bill. which is
'le % the people for their conjunction
1000 and Notwithstanding the claim
aae that iss manufncture supni;s,Na