Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-12-06
DISCUSSING TARIFF REFORM.
The Presidents View of the Legislation
COntemDlated.


After hard struggle tariff reform is directly
before us. Nothing so important claims our at
tentIon and nothing so clearly presents itself as
both opportunity and dutv--an opportunity
to deserve the gratitude of our fellow citizens a
duty imposed upon US by our Oft-repeated pro-
LESSONS and by the emphatic mandate of the peO-
pie After full discussion our cOuntrynen have
spoken in favor of this reform and they have
contded the work of it's accomplishment to the
hands OF those who are sOlemnly pledged to it.
II there IS anything in the theory of a repre-
sentatiOn in public places of the people and
their desires, if public officers are really the
servants OF the people, and if political promises
and professions have any binding force orr
failure TO give the relief long awaited viii be
sheer recreancy. Nothing should intervene to
distract our attention disturb our effort until
this reform is accomplished by wise and careful
legislation. While we should saunchly adhere
to the principle that only the necessity of reve-
nue. JustIheS the imposition Of tariff duties and
other federal taxation, and that they should be
limited by strict economy. We cannot close our
eyes to the fact that conditions have grown up
among us which In justice and fairness call for
discriminating care in the distribution Of such
duties and taxation as the emergen-
cies OF our government actually demanded.
Manifesty if we are to aid the people directly
through tariff reform one of its most obvious
features should be reduction in present tariff
charges upon the neccssaries of life. The bene-
fits of such reduction would be palpable and
substantial and would be seen and felt by
thousands who would be better fed and better
clothed and better sheltered. These gifts should
be the willing bene.acuOns of a government
whose highest function is the promotion of the
welfare of the people Not less closely related
to our peoples prosperity and well
the importation of the raw materials
necessary to our manufacturers. The
world SHOULD be open TO our national ingenuity
and enterprise. This cannot be while federal
legislation through the imposition of high tariff
fOrbids to American manufactures as cheap.
materials as those used by their competitors
1t is quite obvious that the enhancement of the
price of our manufactured products resulting
from this policy not only confines hemarket for
these products within our own borders to the di-
rect disadvantage or our manufacturers, but also
increases their cost to our citizens. The inter
ests of labor are certainly though indirectly in
yOlved in this feature Of our tariff system. The
sharp competition and active struggle among
our manufacturers to supply the limited de
mand for their goods soon I'LL the narrow mar
ket to which they are confined Then follows II
suspension OF work i'll mills and factories, dis
charge of employees, and distress in the homes
of our wOrkingmen. Even if the often dis
proved assertion could be made good that a low
er rate of wages would result from free raw ma
terialS and low tariff duties, the intelligence of
our wOrkingmen leads them quickly TO discov-
er that their steady employment, permitted by
free materials, is the most important factor
in their relation to tariff legislation. A measure
has been prepared by the appropriate congress
siOnal committee, cmbodying tariff reform on
the lines herein suggested, which will be
promptly submitted for legislative action. 1t is
the result of much patriotic and unseltish work,
and believe it deals with its subject consist
emily and thoroughly existing conditions
permit am satisfied that the reduced tariff
duties provided FOR In the proposed legislation.
added to existing internal revenue tax
alton, will, III the near future, though
perhaps not Immediately, produce sutfi-
cient revenue to meet the needs of the govern
meut. The committee after full consideration
and TO provide against temporary deficiency
which may exist before the business OF the
country adjusts itself to the new tariff schedules,
have wisely embraced in their plan few addi-
tlOnal internal revenue taxes, including small
tax upon incomes derived from certain c0rpor-
ate investments These new assessments are
not only absolutely just and easily borne
but they have the further merit of being
such as can be RENTED without unfavOr-
able business disturbance, whenever the
necessity of their imposition no longer
exists. In my great desire fer the success OF
this measure | cannot restrain the suggestion if
success can only be obtained by means Of Un-
selfish counsel on the part OF the friends OF tar
if reform and as result of their willingness To
subordinate personal desires and ambitions to
the general good. The local interests affected
by the proposed reform are numerous and so
varied that if al are insisted upon The legisla-
ton embodying the reform must inevitably fail.
In conclusion my intense feeling of response
bilty impelS me to invoke for the manifold in
tereStS of generous and cOnfding people the
most scrupulous care and TO pledge my willing
support TO every legislative effort for the adj
vancement of the greatness and prosperity OF
our beloved country. GROVER CLEVELAND,
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, ID. G., Dec.