The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-03

character Of the bill which has been presented
| to me, and am convinced that the tax which it
| creates cannot possibly destroy the omen and
| legitimate. manufacture and sale of the thing
upon which it is levied. IL this article has the
| merit which its friends claim for it. and If the
| people of the land, with full knowledge of its
| real character, desire to purchase and use it
| the taxes enacted by this bill will permit fair
| profit to both manufacturer and dealer If the
existence of the commodity taxed and the profits
of its manufacture and sale depend upon dispog-
ing of it to the people for something else, which
it decetfully initiates, the entire enterprise is a
fraud and not an industry; and if it cannot en-.
dure the exhi btion Of its real character which
will be effected by the inspection, supervision
and stamping which this bill directs, the sooner
1t is destroyed the better in the interest Of fair
dealing Such a result would not furnish the
first instance in the history of legislation in
which revenue bill produced benefit which
was merely incidental to its main purpose
There is certainly no industry better enti-
tied to the incidental advantages which may fol-
low this legislation than our farming and dairy
interests and to none of our people should they
be less begrudged than our farmers and dairy~
men. The present depression of their oceupa-
tlons; the hard, steady, and often unremuner-
ative toll which such occupations exact aud the
burdens of taxation which our aericulturisss
necessarily bear, entitle them to
every legitimate consideration Nor should
there be opposition to the incidental
effect of this legislation the part of those who
profess to be engaged honestly and fairly in the
manufacture and sale of wholesome and value
able article of food which, by its provisions
may be subject to taxation. AS long as their
business is carried on under cover and by false
pretenses, such men have bad companions in
those whose manufactures, however vile and
harmful, take their place without challenge with
the better sort, in a common crusade of deceit
against the public. But if this occupation and
Its methods forced into the light, and all
these manufactures must thus either stand upon
their merits or fall the good and bad must soon
part company, and the httest only will survive.
Not the least important incident related to
this legislation is the defense afforded to the con-
sumer against the fraudulent substitution and
imitation for genuine article of food of very
general household use Notwithstanding the
immense quantity of the article described in
this bill which is sold to the people for their con-
sumption as food and Notwithstanding the claim
made that its manufacture supplies cheap
substitute for butter, venture to saw that hard
ly pound ever entered poor mans house I'M
der its real name ana in its true character.
While In its relation to article of this descrip-
tion, there should be no governmental regula-
tion OF what the citizen shall eat it is certainly
not cause of regret If, by legislation of this
character, he is afforded means by which he
may better protect himself against imposition in
meeting the needs and wants of his daily life.
Having entered upon this legislation, it is mani
festy duty to render it as effective as possible
in the accomplishment of all the good which
should legitmately follow in its train.
This leads to the suggestion that
the article proposed to be taxed and
the circumstances which subject It thereto
should be clearly, and with great dstinctness,
defined in the statute. It seems to me that this
object has not been completely attained in the
phraseology of the second section of the BILL and
that question may well arise as to the precise
condition the article to be taxed must assume in
order to be regarded as made in imitation or
semblance of butter, or when 30 made. calcu-
lated intended to be sold as butter The
fourteenth and fifteenth sections of the bill in
my opinion, are in danger of being construed as
an interference with the police powers of the
States. Not being entirely satisfied OF the un-
ing them as not being connected and inter-
found invalid, to vitiate the entire
measure, I have determined to commend
them to the attention of the House. with
view to an immediate amendment of the bill,
if it should be deemed necessary, and If it is
practicable at this late day in the session OF
Congress. The fact, too, that the bill does not
take effect, by its terms, until ninety days have
elapsed after its approval, thus leaving it but
one month in operation before the next session
of Congress. when. if time does not now permit.
the safety and efficiency of the measure may be
abundanty protected by remedial legislative
action, and the desire to realize the beneficial re-
suits which it is expected will Immediately fol-
low the inauguration of this legislation, have
had their influence In determining my official
action. The considerations which have been re-
ferred to will. hope, justify this communica~
ton and the suggestions which it contains.
.GRovER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Aug. 2. 1885,