Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-08-11
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE SIGNING
THE OLEOMARGARlNE BILL.


servatives made 50.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE SIGNING
THE OLEOMARGARlNE BILL.
The president has signed the oleomargarine
bill and sent the following message to the
house of representatives, stating his reasons
for approving it:
To the House of Representatives: l have
this day approved bill originating in the
house of representatives entitled IAN act
defining butter; also imposing tax upon regula-
ting the manufacture, sale, importation and
expectation of oleomargarne.' This legisla-
ton has awakened much interest among the
people OF the country, and earnest arguments
have been addressed to the executive for the
purpose Of influencing his action thereupon.
Many in opposition have urged its dangerous
character as tending to break down the bound
aries between the proper exercise Of legisla-
tive power by federal and state authority.
Many in favor Of the enactment have REPRESENT
ed that it promised great advantages to a latse
portion OF our population who sadly need relief,
and those on both eides OF the question whose
advocacy or opposition is based upon no broader
foundation than local personal interest have
Outnumbered all the others. This upon it's
face and In its main features is revenue bill,
and first introduced in the house Of epresent-
atives, wherein the constitution declares that
all bills for raising revenue shall originate.
The constitution has invested congress with a
very wide legislative discretion, both as to the
necessity OF taxation and the selection Of the
objects OF its burd ns. and though, II the ques-
ton was presented to me as an original
proposition, might doubt the present need Of
Increased taxation, deem 1t my d7ty 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, thoee who desire to see removed the
weight Of taxation now pressed upon the people
from other directions may we'll be justified in
the hope aud expectation that the selection Of
AN ADDITIONAL SUBJECT
of internal taxation, 60 we'll able to bear it, will,
in consistency, be followed by legislation re-
lieving 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-
laton 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 Of an
other. If entitled to indulge in such suspicion
basis Of official action in this case, and II en-.
tirely satisfied that the consequences indicated
would ensue. should doubtless feel constrained
to interpose executive dissent. Bnt do not feel
called upon to interpret the motives Of congress-
otherwise than by the apparent character Of the
convinced that the taxes which it creates cannot
possibly destroy the open and legitimate man.
ufacture and sale OF the thing upon which It 10
levied. If this article has the merit which ite
friends claim for it, and IL the people with full
knowledge OF its character desire to use 1t, the
to both manufacturer and dealer. II the exist
ence II the commodity taxed and the profits OF
its manufacture. and sale depend upon disposiDg
Of it to the people for fomething else which 1t
deceitfully initiates. the entire enterprise Is q
fraud and not an industry; and II it cannot en-.
dure the exhibition of its real character, which
will be effected by the inspection. supervision
and stamping which this bill directs, the sooner
It 10 destroyed the better, in the interest of fair
dealing. Such result would not furnish the
1rstinstance in the history Of legislation in which
4 revenue bill produced benefit which was
merely incidental to its main purpose. There ID
certainly NO industry better entitled to the Incl.
dental advantages which may follow this legisls-
ton than
oCB TARNNe AND DAIRY rSTER1sTS,
and to none Of our people ahould they be 1eel
begrudged than our farmers and dairymen
The present depression OF the occupations, the
hATd, steady and often unreuunerative toll
which such occupations exact, aud the burdens
Of taxation which our agriculturtsts ne cessarily
bear, entitle them, to every legitimate consider
alton. Nor shonld there be opposition to the
Incidental effect Of this legislation on the part
Of those who profess to be engaged honestly
and fairly IN the manufscture and sale Of q
wholesome and valuable article OF food which by
it, provision may be subject to taxation. A.
long ~ their business 10 carried on under cover
and by false pretenses, such men have bsd com
panions in those whose manufactures, however
vile and harmful, take their place without chal.
lenge with the better sort in common crusade
Of deceit against the public. Bnt If this oeeu-
patton and its methods are forced into the light
and oil these manufactures must thus either
stand upon their merits or tall, the good and bad
must soon psrt company and the httest only will
survive Not the least important incident re-
lated to this legislation IL the defense Afforded
to the consumer against the fraudulent Substf.
tution and ssle of Imitation for genuine article
Of food Of very general household use. Not
wfthatandiuR the Immense quantfty Of the srti.
e1a dasexfbed Fl Ills bdll which Il sold to thu