Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-12-08
The Tariff and Hawaii.

II
out, as usual, with statement OF our re-
lstions with other nations, followed by re-
ports on the the receipts and expenses oi
the National Government, the Natlonal
banks, silver repeal, army and navy, sea-
coast defenses, the Indians, public grounds,
agriculture, civil service and the tariff
His remarks on the tariff and the Wilson
bill come last in the message, and are as
| follows.
After hard struggle tariff reform is di-
rectIy before u.s. Nothing SO important
claims our attention. and nothing so clear
~ presents itself as both an opportunity
and duty-an opportunity to deserve the
gratitude of our fellow citizens. and a duty
imposed upon Us by our oft-repeated pro-
fessions, and by the emphatic mandate OF
the people. After full discussion our coun-
trvmen have spoken in favor OF this reform
and they have confded the " work OF its ac-
complishment to the hands oil tnose VINO
are solemnly pledged to it..
If there is anything in the theory OF
representation in public places OF the peo-
ple and their desires, if public officers are
really the servants of the people, and II
political promises and professions have am
binding force, our failure to give the relief
40 loog awaited will be sheer recreancy.
Nothing should intervene to distract our
attention or disturb our effort until this
reform is accomplished by wise and care
fol legislation.
while We shonld stanchly adhere to the
principle that only the necessity OF reve-
nue jastifies the imposition OF tariff uties
and other federal taxation, and tnat they
should be limited by strict economy, VIC
cannot close our eyes to the fact that con-
diiions have grown up among Us whicn IN
Justice and fairness call for discriminating
care In the distribution OF such dutles ana
taxation as the emergencies oil our gov
ernment actually demand.
Manifestly, if we are to aid the people
directly through tariff reform, one OF It's
most obvious features should be q reduc-
tom in present tariff charges upon the nee
essaries Of life. The benefits OF such
reduction would be palpable and substan.
tial, seen and felt by thousands who would
DE better fed and better clothed and better
sheltered These gifts should be the Will
ing benefactions Of a government whose
highest function is the promotion OF the
welfare Of the people.
Not less closely related to our peoples
D rosperify and well l-bsirg is the removal
of restrictions upon the importation OF the
raw material necessary TO our manuiac-
turer. The world should be open to our
national ingenuity and enterprise. This
cannot be while Legislation through the
imposition Of high tariff forbids to Ameri-
can manufacturers as cheap materials as
those used BY their competitors. III Is
quite obvious that the enhancement OF the
price of our manufactured products result
ing from this policy not only confines the
market for these products within our own
borders to the direct disadvantage OF our
own manufacturers but also increases their
cost to our citizens.
The interests of labor are certainly,
though indirectly, involved in this feature
of our tariff system. The sharp competi-
ton and active struggle among our man.
ufacturers to supply the limited demand
for their goods soon fill the narrow market
10 which they are confined. Then follows
suspension OF work in mills and factories,
discharge of employees and distress in
the homes of our workingmen. Even II
the often. disproved assertion could be
made good that lower rate oil wages
would result from free raw materials and
low tariff duties, the intelligence OF our
workingmen leads them quickly 10 discov-
or that their steady employment, permit
ted by free raw materials, Is the most I'M
portant factor TO their relation to tarih
legislation.
A measure has been prepared by the ap-
propriate congressional committee embody-
ing tariff reform on the lines herein sug
gested, which will be promptly submitted
for legislative action. IL IL the result OF
much patriotic and unselfsh work, and
believe it deals with the subject consist
emily and as thoroughly as existing condi.
tions permit. | am satisfied that the re.
duced tariff duties provided for in the pro-
posed legislation, added TO existing inter
nal revenue taxation, will in the near fn-
ture, though perhaps not Immediately,
produce sufficient revenue to meet the
needs. of the government.
The committee, after full consideration
and to provide against Temporary def
cheney which may exist before the business
of the country adjusts itself to the new
tariff schedules, have wisely embraced IN
their plan few additional internal reve-
nue. taxes, including small tax upon in
comes derived from certain corporate in
yestments. These new assessments are
not only absolute just and easily borne, but
they have the further merit of being such
az can be remittcd without uniavorable
business disturbance whenever the necessi
ty Of their imposition no longer exists.
In my great desire for the success Of this
measure. | cannot restrain the suggestion
that its success can only be attained by
means OF unselfish counsel on the part OF
the friends of tariff reform and as result
of their willingness to subordinate personal
desires aud ambitions 10 the general good.
The local interests affected by the propJs-
ed reform are 30 numerous and 30 varied
that, If all are insisted upon, the legislation
embody ing the reform must inevitably
fail.
Regarding The Hawaiian affair be writes
as follows:
IL is hardly necessary for me to state
that the questions arising from our relations
with Hawaii have caused serious embar-
rassment just prior 10 the installation OF
the present administration the existing
government Of Hawaii bad been suddenly
overthrown and treaty Of annexation had
been negotiated between the provisional
government of the islands and the United
States and submitted TO the senate TOR
ratification, This treaty / withdrew for
examination and dispatched Hon. James
II. Blount Of Georgia to Honolulu as a
special con. missioner TO make an impartial
investigation Of the circumstances attend
ing the change Of government and OF all
the conditions bearing upon the subject OF
the treaty. Alter tnorough ana cXhans'
tive examination Mr.. Blount submitted TO
me his report, showing beyond all question
that the constitutional government OF
Hawaii had been subverted with the active
aid Of our representative To that govern
ment and through the intimidation caused
by the presence Of an armed naval force OF
the United States which was landed for
that purpose at the instance Of our minis.
ter. Upon these facts developed IL seemed
~ me the only hOLorable course Tor our
government 10 pursue was 10 undo the
wrong thst bad pven done by those repre-