Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-08-06
THE oLEoMARGARINB mn.


a N eaaage from the Presiaent
IN WHICH HE Announces HIS APPROVAL OF THE |
MEASURE, TELLS WHY He SIGNED IT, AND DIS
CUssEs THE SUBJECT
TO the House n Represenidtfrea-1 have this day |
approved bill originating IN the House Of Represen-
tatves entitled "an act defining buter also impos-
ing tax upon aud regulating the manufacture, sale,
importation end expectation Of oleomargarine This
legislation has awakened interest among the people Of
the country, aud earnest argument has been address
ed to the executive for the purpose Of influencing his
action thereupon Many In opposition have urged It's
dangerous character as tending to break down the
boundaries between the proper exercise Of legislative
power by federal aud state authority many In favor
Of the enactment have represented that II promised
great advantages 10 large portion OF population
who sadly need relief and those both sides Of the
question whose advocacy or opposition is based upon
broader foundation than local or personal interest
have outnumbered all the others.
This upon its face aud its main features lie revenue
bill aud was hrst introduced In the House OF Repre-
sentatives, where the constitution declares that all
bills for raising revenue shall originate The cOnsti
tuition has Invested Congress With very wide legisa-
tive discretion both as to the necessity Of taxation
and the selection Of the objects Of It's burdens Aud
though II the question presented TO orig
nal proposition might doubt the present need Of In
creased taxation deem II my duty In this instance
to defer TO the judgment Of the legislative branch Of
the government, which has been emphaticaly an-
nnunced 10 both houses Of Congress on the passage
Of this bill Moreover those who desire to see re-
moved the weight Of taxation pressing upon the
people from other directions may well be JUSTIFIED In
the hope and expectation that the selection Of Rd-
diOnal subject Of internal TAXATION well able to
bear It, will in consistency be followed by legislation
/
rendered by the passage Of this Till even than
heretofore unnecessary and needlessly oppressive.
1t has been urged as an objection TO this measure
that while purporting TO be legislation for revenue,
ts real purpose IL to destroy by the Of the taxing
power, one industry Of our people for the protection
and benefit Of another II entitled to indulge IN such
suspicion as basis Of Official action in this case,
aud Il entirely satisfied that the consequences udi.
Gated would ensue should doubtless feel constrained
| to interpose executive dissent But l do not feel
called upon to interpret the motives of Congress 9TH
| erwise than by the apparent character OF the bill
| been % |
that the tax which creates possibly destroy
the open and legitimate Manufacture and sale of the
thing upon which it is levied. II this article has the
merit that its friends claim for it, aud IL the people
Of the hud, with full knowledge Of It's real character,
desire TO purchase aud use IT, the taxes exacied by
this bill will permit fair profit 20 both manufacturer
and dealer II the existence u the commodity taxed
aud the profits Of It's manufacture aud sale depend
upon dispoaing Of 1t to the people for something else
which II decefuly initiates, the entire enterprise II a
fraud aud not an industry; and II It cannot endure
tue exhibition Of It's real character which will be e.
iected by the Inspection supervision aud stamping
which this bill Directs the sooner it lie destroyed the
better IN the Interest OF fair dealing Such result
would not furnish the FIRST instance in the history Of
legislation In which revenue bill produced beneht
which was merely incidental 10 It's main purpose.
There is certainly Industry better entitled to the
Incidental advantages which may follow this legsla-
ton than farming aud dairy interests; aud to
none Of our people will they be be less begrudged
than to our farmers and dairymeu. The present de-
preston Of their occupatiops the hard steady and
often unremuneratye toll which such occupations
act aud the burdens Of taxation, which our ngricu-
turists necessarily bear, entle them to every legt
mate consideration.
Nor should there be opposition to the incidental e.
feet OF this legislation on the part Of those who pro-
less to be engaged honestly aud fairly in the manu-
laeture and sale OF wholesome aud valuable article
OF food which by its provisions may be subject TO tax
alton. As long as their business 10 carried on undei
cover aud by false pretenses such men have had bad
companions in those whose manufactures, however
vile aud harmful, take their place without challenge
with the better sort In a common crusade Of decei
against the public But II this occupation and ~
methods are forced into the light and all these maui
features must either stand upon their merits or fail
the good and bad must soon part company aud thu
httest only will survive Not the least important IN
cdent related to this legislation IL the defense afford
ed to the consumer against the fraudulent substitu
ton aud sale Of an imitation for genuine article o
food Of very general household use Notyithstaud
ing the immense quantity Of the article described II
this bill which IL sold to the people for their cousump
ton as food, and Notwithstanding the claim made tha
us manufacture supplies cheap substitute for butter
p | venture to say that hardly pound entered
poor mans house under its real name aud IN its tru
character. While In lite relation to article Of thi
description there should be government regulation
Of what the citizen shall eat 1t is certainly not caus
Of regret II by legislation OF this character he is al
T. forded meaus by which be may better protect him
self against imposition in meeting the needs an
D wants Of his daily life
Having entered upon this legislation IL IL manifest
ly duty to render It as Effective possible in the
compishment Of all the good which should Legitimate
. " follow in its train. THIS leads TO the suggesuo
that the article proposed TO be taxed aud the crcuu
stances which subject 1t thereto, should be clearly
with great distuctness defined in the statute
seems to that this objec has not been completed
q attained 10 the phraseoogy OF the second section
the bill and that question NAV well arise As 10 the pr
II else condition the article TO be- taxed must assume
II order to be regarded as made IN imitation
blance Of butter, when made, calculated or Il
II tended to be sold butter for butter" The lat
r and 18th sections Of the BILL in my opinion,
danger Of being construed interference with u
Is police powers Of the states Not being entirely
ned Of the uuconstitutionality Of these provision
L aud regarding them not being connected and II
d terwoyen with the other sections as II found invalid
to yitiate the entire measure, have determined
commend them to the attention Of the House with
view TO 40 immediate amendment Of the bill #
should be deemed Necessary, and If It u practicable
this late day in the session Of Congress.
y The fact too that the bill does not take eff tc by
D. terms until 20 days have elapsed after its ApprOya
i thus leaving but one month 10 operation before Il
" the next session Of Congress, when, If time does
& now permit, the safety aud efficiency Of the
r. may be abunuanty protected by remedial legislAti
action, and the desire to realized the beneficial
~ suits which It is expected will Immediately follow Il
Inauguration Of this legislation, have had their iuh
- ence 10 determining my Official action.
~ The considerations which have been referred
q will, hope, justify this communication and the
= gestions which It contains.
X GROVER CLEVELAND.
le Executive Mansion, Aug. p 1856.