Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-03
0LE0 MUST PAY THE TAX.
CLEVELAND UNEXPECTEDLY
SIGNS THE BILL.

n DeclArati0u That the Industry Chh
Stand the Charges and should stand
on Its Own Bottom-The Taxes Thus
Derived Should Pave the Way for "a
Decrease on Other Articles.
WASHINGTON, Aug 2.--The President
has signed the oeomargarine bill and
sent a message to the House of Represen-
tatives stating his reasons for approving
it and suggesting some additional legisa-
tion. The President In his message says:
This legislation has awakened much inter
est among the people of the country and earn
est argument has been addressed to the OK
ecutive for the purpose of innuenclng his ac-
tion thereupon. Many in opposition have
urged its dangerous character as tending to
break down the boundaries between the
proper exercise OF the legislative power by
the Federal and State authority. Many in
favor of the enactment have represented that
IT promised great advantages TO q large por
tlon or the population WHO Badly need rslief;
and those on both sides of the question. whose
advocacy or opposition is based upon no
broader foundation than local or personal in
tersct, have outnumbered all the others.
A REVENUE BILL.
This upon ITS face and In its main features
is q revenue bill, and was first introduced ~
the House of Representatives, wherein the
u
ing the revenue shall originate The con-
stitution has invested Congress with very WIDE
legislative discretion, both as to the necessity
of taxation and the selection OF the objects Of
it's burdens, and though If the question was
presented to me rs an original proposition
might doubt the present need of iporeased
taxation. deem 1t my duty in this Instance
TO deler to the Judgment OF the legislative
branch Of the government, which has been so
emphattCauY announced in both houses OF
Congress upon the passage of this blll.
HOPES TT GIVES RIsETo.
Moreover those who desire to see removed
the weight OF taxation now pressing upon the
people from other directions may well be
justified in the hope aud expectation that the
selection of an addition subject of internal
taxation so well able 10 bear 1t wiz, in consis-
tency, be followed by legislation relieving
our cIttZen5 from other revenue burdens, rem
dered by the passage OF this bill even more
than heretofore unnecessary and needlessly
oppressive.
1t has been urged as an objection to this
measure that while purporting TO BE- legisa
tion for revenue its real purpose is to destroy
by the use of the taxing power, one industry
OF ohr people for the projection aod benefit OF
another.
NOT AFRAID TO VETO.
If entitled to indulge in such suspicion as
the basis of official action in this case. and il
entirely satisfied that the consequences ind-
Gated would ensue, | should doubtless feel
constrained to t1terpose executive dissent.
Dub 4 uO HOb I6t1 ChllSu upon 10 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
tax which it creates cannot possibly destroy
the open and legitimate manufacture 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 knowl-
edge of it's real character, desire to purchase
and use 1t. the taxes enacted by this bill will
permita fair profit to both manufacturer and
dealer.
SHOULD BE STOPPED IF A FRAUD.
II the existence OF the commodity taxed and
the profits of its manufacture ana sale depend
upon dleposng OF 1t TO people for something
else which it deceitfully initiates, the ent re
enterprise Is fraud and not an industry; and
if IL cannot endure the exhibition of Its real
character, which will be effected y the in
spection, supervision and stamping VIII ch this
bill Directs the sooner 1t is destroyed the bet
ter in the interest of fair dealing. Such a re-
suit would not furnish the first instance in
the history of Legislation in which revenue
bill produced a benefit which was merely IN
cidental to its M ain purpose.
wORTHINEss OF THE FARMERS.
There is certainly no industry better enti-
tied to the Incidental advantages which may
follow this legislation tnan our farming and
dairy interests; and to none of our people
should they be less begrudged than our farm
ers and dairymeD. The present depression of
their occupations, the hard, steady and often
unremunerative toll which such occupations
Gls
agriculturi5ts necessarily bear, entitle them
to every legitimate consideration. Nor should
there be opposition to the incidental eject OF
this legislation on the part OF those who pro-
fess to be engaged honestly ana fairly in the
manufacture and sale OF wholesome and
valuable article OF food, which, by its provis
ions, may be subject to taxation.
wIPING OUT THE CHEATS.
AS long "a 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 the
common crusade or deceit against the public.
But If this occupation and its methods are
forced into light and all these manufactures
must thus either stand upon their merits or
fall, the good and bad must soon part COM
pany, and the fttest only will survive. Not
the least important incident related to this
legislation is the defense afforded 20 the con-
sumer against the fraudulent substi tution
and sale OF an imitation for genuine article
of food OF very general household use.
SELDOM SOLD AS oLEo.
Notwithstanding the immense quantity OF
the article Described in this bill, which is sold
to the people for their consumption ~ food,
and not VI outstanding the claim made that It's
manufacture supplies cheap substitute for
butter, venture 10 say that hardly pound
ever entered poor mans house under its
real name and in Its true character. While
In its relation 10 an article OF this description
there should be no governmental regulation of
a cause OF regretifb by legislation of THIS char
acter 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 IL is manifestly the duty
to render II as effective as possible In the nc
complement of all the good which should
legitimately follow in its train. This leads
to II suggestion that the article proposed 10 be
taxed aud the circumstances which subject 1t
thereto should be clearly and with great dis
tnctness defined In the statute.
ROOM FOR DOUBT.
IL seems to me that this object has not been
completely attained in the phraseolgy OF the
second section OF the bill. and that "A question
may well arise as 10 the precise condition the
article TO be taxed must assume In order 60 be
regarded as made In imitation or the sem
blance OF butter. or when SO made calculated
or intended TO be sold as butter for butter"
The fourteenth and fifteenth sections OF the
bill, in my opinion, are In danger Of being
construed rs an Interference with the police
powers of States. Not being entirely salts
lied of the unconstitutionhlityo OF these provi-
sions, and regarding them as not being 30
connected and interviewer with other sec
tIons a. II found invalid TO vitiate the entire
measure, | have determined to commend
them to the attention OF the House, with d
view to an immediate amendment Of the bill,
IL it should be deemed necessary. and II it Ia
practicable at this late day in the session OF
Congress
THE DATE OF OPERATION.
The fact, too, that the bill does not take ef-