The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-11-15
THE VERMONT wATCHMAN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBERi6 g., 1893.

present tariff charges upon the necessaries Of
life. The benefits of such q reduction would
be palpablo and substantial, seen and felt by
thousands who would be better fed and better
clothed and better sheltered. These gifts
should be the willing benefactions Of a gov
eminent whose highest function Is the pro-
motion of the welfare of the people.
Not less closely related to our peoples pros
perity and well is the removal of re-
strictions upon the importation of the raw
materials necessary to our manufactures.
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 manufacturers as cheap ma
terials as those used by their competitors. 1t
is quite obvious that the enhan cement of the
price of our manufactured products resulting
from this policy, not only confines the
market for these products within our own
borders, to the direct disad vantage of our
manufacturers, but also increases their cost
to our citizens.
indirectly, involved in this feature of our
tariff system. The sharp competition and
active struggle among our manufacturers to
supply the limited demand for their goods
soon fill the narrow market to which they are
confined. Then follows a suspension of work
in mills and factories, a discharge of en-
ployes and distress in the homes of our work.
ingmen.
Even If the often disproved assertion could
be made good, that a lower rate of wages
would result from free raw materials and low
tariff duties, the intelligence of our working
men leads them quickly to discover that
their steady employment, permitted by free
raw materials, is the most important factor
In their relation to tariff legislation.
A measure has been prepared by the con
gressional mmit embodying tariff reform
on the lines herein suggested, which will be
promptly submitted for legislative action. 1t
is the result of much patriotic and u~nselfish
work, and | believe it deals with ito subject
consistently and as thoroughly as existing
conditions permit.
/ am satisfied that the reduced tariff duties
provided for in the proposed legislation, added
to existing internal revenue taxation, will, in
the near future, though perhaps not immedi-
ately, produce sufficient revenue to meet the
needs of the government.
The committee, after full consideration, and
to provide against a temporary deficiency
which may exist before the business of the
country adjusts itself to the new tariff sched-
ule, have wisely embraced in their plan a few
additional internal revenue taxes, including q
small tax upon incomes derived from certain
corporate Investments.
These new assessments are not only abso-
lutely just and easily borne, but they have tho
further merit of being such as can be RENTED
without unfavorable business disturbance
whenever the necessity of their imposition no
longer exists.
In my great desire for the success of this
measure l cannot restrain the suggestion that
its success can only be attained by means of
unselfsh counsel on the part of the friends of
tariff reform and as a result of their willing
ness to subordinate personal desires and am
billions to the general good.
The local interests affected by the proposed
reform are so numerous and so varied that If
all are insisted upon the legislation embojy-
ing the reform must inevitably fail.
In conclusion, my intense feeling of respon-
sibility impels me to invoke for the manifold
interests of a generous and confding people
the most scrupulous care, and to pledge my
willing support to every legislative effort for
the advancement of the greatness and pros
perity of our beloved country.
GROVER CLEVELAND,
Executive Mansion,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1893.