The Somerset reporter., 1893-12-07

upon our people which has underlying it n
sentiment OF justice and right, and which n,
the same time promises better administration
of their government. The law embodying
i this reform found its way 10 our statute book
more from fear of the popular sentiment ex-
i listing in its favor than from any love for
the reform itself on the part of Legislators, and
! it has lived and grown and fourished in spite
of the covert as well rs open hostility OF
spoilsmen, and notwithstanding querelous
+ impracticabilIty of many self-constituted
/ guardians
Beneath all the vagaries and sublimated
! theories which are attracted to 1t, there un-
i derlies this reform a sturdy common sense
/ principle, not ONLY suited to this mundane
sphere, but whose application people are
more and more recognizing to be absolutely
essential TO the most successful operation of
their government. il not to its prosperity.
Tariff Reform.
After hard struggle tariff reform Is di-
rectly before us. Nothing so important claims
our attention. and MOI hing so clearly presents
itself as both an opportunity and a duly-an
opportunity 10 deserve the gratitude OF our
fellow citizens, and duty imposed upon us
| by our oft-repeated professions and by the
emphatic mandate of the people. After full
| discussion our couItrymen have spoken in
favor of this reform, and they have confded
1 the work Of its accomplishment to the hands
of those who are solemnly pledged To ii.
Manifestly, If we are to aid the PEG pie di-
rectly through tariff reform one of its most
obvious features should be reduction in
present tariff charges upon tho necessaries Of
life. The benefits of such . rcd lction would
b palpable and su bstantial seen and felt by
thousands who would be bet er c and better
clothed and better sheltered. These gifts
should be the " ling bencfactions OF gov
eminent whose highest function is tho pro-
motion of the welfare of the people.
Not less closely related to our peoples pros
Il t,F.1H ,.iVar 10 al n
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 forbios
to American manufacturers 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 disadvantage of our
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. Tie 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 q suspension of w ,rk
in mills and factories, discharge of en-
ployes and distress in the homes of our work
ingmen.
Even il the often disproved assertion could
be made good, that u lower rate of wages
would result from tree raw materials and low
tariff duties, the intelligence of our working
men leads them quickly to discover thu
their steady employment, permitted by flee
raw materials is the most important factor
in their relation to tariff legislation.
A measure has been prepared by the CON
hnf yin tur
on the lines herein suggested which will be
promptly submitted for Legislative action. II
is the result Of much patriotic and unselish
work. and believe it deals with its 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 Il g
needs of the government.
The committed, after full consideration, and
to provide against 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 few |
additional internal revenue taxes, including a |
small tax upon incomes derived from certain |
corporate Investments.
These new assessments are not only ALSO |
lutely just and easily borne, but they have the
further merit Of being such 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 | cannot restrain the suggestion that |
It's success can only he attained by means of
unselish counsel on the part of the friends OF |
tariff reform and AS result OF their willing |
ness to subordinate personal desires and am
billions 10 the general good
The local interests AFT, ctei by the proposed
reform are so numerous and 50 varied that If |
all are insisted upon the | gislatioa emboly- |
ing the reform must newt ,by fail
In conclusion, my int.ns feeling OF respon- |
sibility impels me to invoke for the manifold |
interests of "A generous and confiding people |
the most scrupulous care, and to pledge my
willing support to every Legislative effort for |
the advancement of the greatne and pros
perity OF our beloved country.
GROVER CLEVELAND,
Executive Mansion,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, lSG}