The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-08-06
THE BILL APPROVED.
The President Signs the Measure for the
Taxation of 0leomargarine-A Number
of Improvements Suggested.

The President Signs the Measure for the
Taxation of 0leomargarine--A Number
of Improvements Suggested
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3.--In his message ap.
proving the Oleomargarine bill the Presi-
dent says that many communications
have been addressed TO him for the
purpose of influencing his action thereon,
the greater number being influenced
by local or personal considerations.
The bill, upon It's face, and in its
main features, he says, is a revenue
bill, and while he might doubt the present
need OF increased taxation, he defers to the
Judgment OF Congress-. He believes the
selection of an additional subject of
taxation, so well able to bear it,
may be consistently followed by relieving
the country of some other unnecessary
revenue burden. In regard to the argu-
ment that the purpose of the bill was to
destroy one industry for the protection OF
another, the President says:
$ If 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 deal
er. If the existence and profits of the COM
modify depend upon disposing of it to
the people for something else,
which it deceitfully initiates, the en-
tire enterprise is fraud and not an indus
/ try; and if it can not endure the exhibit
ton of its real character, which will be
effected by the inspection, supervision and
stamping which this bill Directs the sooner
it is destroyed the better, in the interest of
fair dealing. Such result would not fur
nish the first instance in the history of
legislation in which a revenue bill pro-
duced benefit which was merely incident
al TO its purpose.
There is certainly no industry better
entitled to the incidental advantages
which may follow this legislation than our
farm and dairy interests and to none of
our people should they be less begrudged
than our farmers and dairymen. The
present depression of their occupa-
tions, the hard, steady and often
unremunerative toll which such occu-
pations exact, and the burdens OF taxa
ton which our agriculturistS necessarily
bear entitle them to every legitimate con-
sideration. Nor should there be oppoSi~
ton to the Incidental effect of this legisla-
tion on the part of those who profess to be
engaged honestly and fairly in the manu-
facture and sale of wholesome and valu-
able article of food which by it's pro-
visions may be subject to taxation.
AS long as their business is car
ried on under cover and by false
pretenses such men have bad COM
panions 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 the occupation and its
methods are forced into the light, and all
these manufactures must either stand up
on their merits or fall the good and bad
must soon part company and the fittest
only will survive.
Mt %l,o
lative to this legislation is the defense af-
forded to the consumer against the fraud
ulent substitution and sale of an imitation
for genuine article of food of very gem
eral household use. Notwithstanding the
immense quantity of the article described
in this bill, which is sold to the people for
their consumption as food, and, notwith-
standing the claim made that its manufact-
ure supplies cheap substitute for butter,
/ venture to say that hardly a pound
ever entered poor mans house under its
real name and in its true character. While
in its relation to an article Of this descrip-
ton there should be no Governmental reg
ulation of what the citizen shall eat it is
certainly not cause of regret if by legiS-
lation 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 manifestly a duty to render it as effect
i've as possible in the accomplishment of
all the good which should legitimately fol-
low in its train. This leads to the sugges-
ton that the article proposed to be taxed,
and the, circumstances which, subject it
thereto should be clearly and with great dis
tinctness defined in the statute. 1t seems
TO us that this object has not been COM
pletely attained in the phrasaology of the
second section of the bill, and that CUES
ton may we'll arise as to the precise con
dition the article TO be taxed must assume
in order to be regarded as made in imita
ton or semblance 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 nv opin-
ion, are in danger of being con-
strued as an interference with the police
powers of the States. Not being
entirely satisfied of the unconstitutional
ity of the provisions, and regarding them
as not being so connected and interviewer
with the other sections as, if found in
valid, to vitiate the entire measure, have
determined to commend them to the at
tention of the House with view to an
Immediate amendment OF the bill if it
Ghould be deemed necessary, and, il it is
practicable at this late. day, in the ses-
sion of Congress The fact too, that
the bill does not take effect by it's terms
until ninety days have elapsed after it's
approval, thus leaving it but one month in
operation before the next session of Con-
gress (when, il time does not now
permit the safety and efficiency of the
measure may be abundantfy protected by
remedial legislative action), and the desire
to see realized the beneficial results which,
it is expected will Immediately follow the
Inauguration of this legislation, have had
their influence in determining my official
action.
''The considerations which have boon re-
ferred to WILL l hope, justify this commu-
nication and the suggestions which it con-
tains. "GRovER CLEVELAND,
"Executive Mansion, August 2, 1867
Q
The Bic Raft Won't Rndnn