The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-08-13
THE 0LEoMARGARINE BILL.

Gives His Reasons Why, ara Suggests Sew
eral Amendments to Make the Law Per-
feet
WASHINGTON, Aug 2.--The president has
signed the oleomargarine bill and sent the
following message to the house Of repre-
sentatiyes, stating his reasons for approx
ing it:
To the House OF Representatives: have this
day approved bill originating in the house of
representatives entitled An act defining butter;
also imposing tax upon and regulating the
manufacture, sale. importation and expectation
OF oleomargarine." This legislation has awak-
ened much interest among the people Of the
country, and earnest arguments have been ad-
dressed TO the executive for tho purpose OF In
fiuencing his action thereupon. Many In oppo-
sition have urged its dangerous character IS
Tending to break down the boundaries between
the proper exercise of legislative power by
federal and state authority. Many In favor
OF the enactment have represented that
1t promised great advantages TO large
portion of our population who sadly
need relief, and those on both sides OF the Ques-
tion whose advocacy or opposition is based upon
no broader foundation than local or personal in
terest have outnumbered all the others. This
upon its tace and in its main features is rev.
enue bill, and was first introduced In the house
OF representatives, wherein the constitution de-
clares that all bills for raising revenue shall
originate The constitution has invested con-
gress with very wide legislative discretion,
DOCn as TO the necessity OF LaAaClOn ana Ln0 Sc
lection of the objects Of its burdens and
though, Ii the question was presented to me as
an original proposition, might doubt the pres
ent need OF increased taxation, | deem it my
duty in this instance TO defer to the Judgment of
the legislative branch of the government, which
has been emphatically announced In both
houses Of congress upon the passage OF this bill.
Moreover, those who desire 60 see removed the
weight Of taxation now pressing upon the peo-
plo from other directions may well be justified
In the hope and expectation that the selection Of
AN ADDITIONAL SUBJECT
Of internal taxation, so well able TO bear it. WILL
In consistency, be followed by legislation re-
lieying our citizens from other revenue burdens,
rendered by the passage OF the bill even more
than heretofore unnecessary and needlessly op-
pressive 1t has been urged as an objection TO
this measure that while purporting to be legis-
ation for revenue its real purpose is to destroy,
by the use of the taxing power, one industry OF
our people for the protection and benefit or an
other. III entitled to indulge In such suspicion
as basis of official action III this case. and If
entirely satisfied that the consequences indi-
Gated would ensue, / should doubtless feel con-
strained to interpose executive dissent But
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 am convinced that the taxes which
1t creates cannot possibly destroy the open and
upon which 1t is levied. If this article has the
merit which It's friends claim for 1t, and IL the
people with full knowledge of its character de-
sire to use it, the taxes enacted by this bill will
permit fair profit TO both manufacturer and
dealer III the existence of the commodity taxed
and the profits of It's manufacture and
sale depend upon dhissposing OF IL ,sh,tS TO
it deceitfully initiates the entire enter
prise is fraud and not an industry and II 1t
cannot endure the exhibition OF It's real charac-
ter, which will be effected by the inspection.
supervision and stamping which this bill
directs the sooner 1t is destroyed the better, In
the interest CT fair dealing. Such aresult would
not furnish the first instance In the history OF
lpoiglatiOn in which revenue Dill produced a
benefit which was merely incidental to its main
purpose There is certainly no industry better
entitled to the incidental advantages which may
follow this legislation than
OUR FARMING AND DAIRY INTERESTS,
and TO none OF our people should they be less
begrudged than our farmers and dairymen. The
present depression of theyoccupations, the hard.
steady and often unremuneratiye toll which
such occupations exact, and the burdens OF tax
alton which our agrjculturists 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 valua-
BILE article of food which by it's 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 I'm q common crusade of deceit against the
methods are forced into the light
and all these manufactures must thus
either stand upon their merits or fall, the good
and bad & must soon 2aTt COMPANY ana tine ntoess
dent related to this legislation Is the defense
afforded to the consumer against the fraudulent
substitution and sale of imitation for genuine
article of focd Of very general household Use.
Notwithstanding the immense quantity OF the
article described In this bill which is sold 70 the
people for food. and Notwithstanding the claim
made that 1t manufacture supplies cheap sub
stitute for butter, venture to say that hardly
pound ever entered poor mans house under It's
real name and in its true character. While in
its relation to article OF this description there
should be no governmental regulation of what
the citizen shall eat 1t Is certainly not cause
OF regret IL by legislation Of this character he is
afforded means by which he may
BETTER PROTECT ITSELF
against imposition In meeting the needs and
wants of his Eaily life. Having entered upon
this legislation. It is manifestly duty to render
it as effective possible In the accomplishment
OF ali the good which should legitlmately follow
in its train This leads TO the suggestion that
the article proposed TO be taxed and the cir
cumstances which subject IL thereto should be
clearly and with great distinctness defined in
the statute. 1t seems to me that this object has
not been completely attained IN the phraseology
OF the second section OF the bill and that Qnes-
tion may. well arise as TO the precise con-
dition thei article to be taxed MIST assume in
order to be regarded as made In imitation or
selnblance OF butter. or when so made calculated
or intended TO be sold as butter or for butter.
The fourteenth and fifteenth sections OF the bill
in my opinion. are In danger of being construed
as an lnterIerence with tne ponce pow
ers OF the states. Not being entirely
satisfied OF the unconstftutionality OF these
provisions, and regarding them as not being
SO connected and interwoven with the other
sections as IL found invalid TO vitiate the entire
measure, have determined TO commend them
TO the attention OF the house with a view to an
immediate amendment OF the bill should it be
deemed necessary. aud IL 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 OPP
Grafton before the Eext session of congress,
when, IL time does not now permit. the safety
aud efficiency OF the measure may be abundantly
protected by remedial Legislative action and the
desire TO see localized the beneficial results
which IL IS expected will Immediately follow the
inauguration OF this legislation, has had it's
influence in determining my official action The
considerations which have been referred to will.
hope, justify this communication and the sug-
gestions which 1t contains.
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