The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-08-12
THE OLEOMARGARINE BILL.
The President Reluctantly Signs It-He
Gives His Reasons why, and Suggests Sew
-rAl Amendments to Mako tho Law Per-
feet.

The Prssidont Reluctantly Signs lt-He
Gives His Reasons why, and Suggests Sow
.ral Amendments to Mako tho Law Per-
feet
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-The president has
signed the oleomargarine bill and sent the
following message to the house of repre-
sentatives, stating his reasons for approx
ing it,:
TO the House Of Representatives: have this
day approved a bill originating in the house OF
representatives entitled An act defining butter;
also imposing q 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 the purpose OF in
tuencing his action thereupon. Many in oppo-
sition have urged its dangerous character as
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
it promised great advantages to largo
portion of our population who sadly
need relief. and those on both sides of the ques
tion whose advocacy or opposition IL based upon
no broader foundation than local or personal IN
terest have ontnumbered all the others. This
upon its tace and in its main features Is rev.
euue 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 a very wide legislative discretion,
both as To the necessity CT taxation anu Inc So
lection of the objects of its burdens. and
though, if the question was presented to me as
an original proposition, l might doubt the pres
ent need OF increased taxation, deem 1t 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 to see removed tho
weight of taxation now pressing upon the peo-
plo from other directions may well be justified
i'll the hope and expectation that the selection Of
AN ADDITIONAL SUBJECT
of internal taxation well able to bear 1t. will.
in consistency. be followed by legislation
lieving our citizens from other revenue burdens,
rendered by the passage of the bull even more
than heretofore unnecessary and needlessly OPP
pressive 1t has been urged an objection to
this measure that while purporting to be legis-
lation for revenue its real purpose is to destroy.
by the of the taxing power, one industry OF
our people for the protection and benefit OF an
other. Ii entitled to indulge i'll such suspicion
as basis of official action in 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
it creates cannot possibly destroy the open and
legitimate manufacture and sale OF the thing
upon which it is levied. Ii this article has the
merit which it's friends claim for it, and If the
people with full knowledge of its character de-
sire to use it, the taxes enacted by this bill will
permit a fair profit to both manufacturer and
and the profits of its manufacture and
sale depend upon disposing of it to
the people for something else which
it decetfuy initiates, the entire enter
prise is a fraud and not an industry: and if it
cannot endure the exhibition of its real charac-
ter, which will be effected by the inspection,
supe vision and stamping which this bill
directs, the sooner it is destroyed the better, i'll
the interest of fair dealing. Such Il result would
not furnish the first instance in the history of
legislation in which revenue bill produced a
he
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 people should they be less
begrudged than our farmers and dairymen. The
present depression of the occupations, the hard,
steady and often unremuneratlve toll which
such occupations exact, and the burdens OF tax
alton which our agriculturists necessarily bear,
enttle them to every legitimate consideration.
Nor should 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
manufacture and sale of Il 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 in a common crusade of deceit against the
public. But if this occupation and its
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 part company and the tittest
only will survive. Not the least important incl
dent related to this legislation is the defense
afforded to the consumer against the fraudulent
substitution and sale of imitation for q genuine
article of food of very general household use.
Notwithstanding the immense Quantity of the
article described in this bill which Is sold to the
people for food, and notwithstanding the claim
made that it manufacture supplies cheap snb
stitute for butter, venture to say that hardly
pound ever entered poor mans house under its
real name and in it's true character While i'm
its relation TO article of this description there
should be no governmental regulation of what
the citizen shall eat, it is certainly not cause
of regret il by legislation Of this character he is
afforded a means by which he may
BETTER PROTECT ITSELF
against imposition in meeting the needs and
wants of his daily life. Hay ing entered upon
this legislation. it is manifesty duty to render
| it az effective as possible i'll the accomplishment
of all the good which should legitlmately follow
| In its train This leads to the suggestion that
| the article proposed to be taxed and the cir
rumsances which subject it thereto should DO
clearly and with great distinctness defined in
| the statute 1t seems to me that this object has
not been completely attained in the phraseology
If the second 'ction of the bill, and that ques-
ton may well arise. as to the precise con-
dition the article to be taxed must assume in
| order to he regarded as made in imitation or
sGinblanGe 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 i'll danger of being construed
as an interference with the police pow
ers of the states. NOT , oeiHK entirely
provisions and regarding them not being
| 40 connected and interviewer with the other
sections as, if found invalid to vitiate the entire
measure, l have determined to commend them
to the attention of the house with a view to an
! immediate amendment of the bill should 1t be
deemed necessary. and ii 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 LeXt session of congress,
when, il time does not now permit, the safety
and efficiency of the measure may be abundantly
prot ccted by remedial legislative action and the
icsire to see localized the beneficial results
which it 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
yestons which 1t contains
| lSignedl GROVER GLEYELAN1