The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-12
| THE TARIFF BILL A LAW.
THE PRESIDENT NEITHER
SIGNED NOR VETOED TT.

planned Why He Did Not Approve
the German Compromise Measure,
Substituted for the Wilson Bill.
1t 70 o'clock, midnight, the German Tariff
bill. passed by the House Of Representatives
on February and by the Senate on July 8,
became law without the signature Of Presi-
dent Cleveland and with only his quali-
fed approval, expressed in a private
letter to Representative Catchings,
of Mississippi. AS intimated in
that letter, the President was disposed to let
the bill become the law without any CON-
ment whatever from him. The Speaker. S1r.
Catchings. Mr.. Clarke. of Alabama, and other
tariff reformers Of the House urged the
proval, even If it were qualified by memoir
andum setting forth his views OF the
bills imperfections, would have salutary
effect in modifying prejudice against II, and
In stimulating the Democrats OF the country
20 renewed efforts to advance the work be-
gun by the present session Of Congress. The
letter to Mr.. Catchings was the outco ne OF
the conversations the President had with
the men OF the House who had advocated
the Wilson bill. -;
The Presidents letter follows
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, August q, 1894.
Hon. r. c. Catchings 20
MyDEAR SIR-Since the conversation had
with you and Mr.. Clarke, of Alabama. a few
days ago. in regard to my action upon the
Tariff bill now before me. have given the
subject further and more serious consldera~
ton. The result is I am more settled than
ever IN the determination to allow the bill to
become law without my signature.
When the formation OF legislation which
it was hoped would embody Democratic
ideas of tariff reform was lately entered
upon by the Congress, nothing was further
from my anticipation than result which
could not promptly and enthusiastically en-
dorse. 1t is therefore with q feeling OF the
utmost disappointment that I suomi: to
denial of this privilege.
do not claim to be better than the masses
of my party, I,or do wish to avoid any re-
sponsibility which, on account OF the pas
sage of this law, I ought to bear as a mem.
Der OF the Democratic organization. Neither
will permit myself to be separated roEI
my party to such an extent as might be tm-
piled by my veto'of tariff legislation, which,
though disappointing. Is still charSeable
to Democratic effort. But there are pro-
visions in this bill which are not In line
with honest tariff reform, and 1t contains In
to appear in tariff laws or laws OF any kind.
Besides there were, as you and we'll know,
Incidents accompanying the passage OF the
bill through the Congress which made every
sincere tariff reformer unhappy, while In
fuences surrounded It In its latter stages
and interferred with Its final construction,
which ought not to be recognized or to.er-
ared IN Democratic tariff reform counses.
And yet, notwithstanding all its vicisd.
tudes and all TIA bad treatment It rec sived
at the hand OF pretended friends. It pre-
sents vast Improvement to existing cond1-
tions. 1t will certainly tighten many tarin
pie. It Is no. only barrier against the re-
turn of mad protection, but 1t furnishes
vantage ground from which must be waged
further aggressive operations against pro-
tected monopoly and Governmental favorn.
ism
I take my place with the rank and file Of
the Democratic party who believe In tarih
reform and who know what 1t 1s, VINO re-
fuse to accept the results OF this bill as the
close OF the war, who are not blinded to the
fact that the livery Of Democratic tarih re-
form has been stolen and worn in the service
of Republican protection, and who have
marked the places where the deadly blight
of treason has blasted the counselS OF the
brave in their hour Of might.
The trusts ana combinations the com.
munism OF pelf-whose Vaccinations have
prevented US from reaching the success We
deserved. should not be forgotten nor for
given. We shall recover from our astonish-
ment at their exhibition OF power, and Il
then the question is forced upon US whether
they shall submit to the free legislative viii
Of the peoples representatives or shall
dictate the laws which the people must
obey, we will accept and settle that ISSUE as
one involving the integrity and safety OF
American institutions. (,
I love the principles OF true Democracy,
because they are founded In patriotism ana
upon Justice and fairness toward all inter-
ests. l an proud OF my party organiza alton,
because II is conservatively sturdy and per-
sistent in the enforcement Of its principles
Therefore, do not despair OF the Efforts
made by the House of Representatives to
supplement the bill already passed by further
Legislation, AMI to have ensrafted upon it
such notifications as will more nearly meet
Democratic hopes and aspirations. -
cannot be mistaken as to the necessity
of free raw materials as the foundation OIL
logical and sensible tariff reform. The ex-
tent TO which this is recognized in the leSls-
lation already secured is one of its encour"
aging and redeeming features but 1t IS vexa-
tious to recall that, while free coal and iron
have been denied US, recent letter or the
Secretary OF the Treasury dtsclosss the iact
that both might have been made free py tne
annual surrender OF only about S7Jo,oOo OF
unnecessary revenue.
lam sure that there is common habit OK
Understanding the Importance OF Tree raw
materials in tariff legislation, and OF regard
ing them as only related to concessions to
be made to our manufacturers Inc trutn
is, their influence Is so far-reachlng thar, II
disregarded. a complete and benehcenl
scheme Of tariff cannot be successfully IN
auSurated.
When we give to our manufacturers free
rasy materials, we unshackle American en-
terprise and ingenuity. and these Will open
the doors of foreign markets to the reception
of our wares and give opportunity ior tne
continuous and remuneratlve employment oh
American labor.
with materials cheapened by their free
dom from tariff charges, the cost OF their
product must be correspondinSly cheap
ened. Thereupon justice and fairness TO
the consumer would demand that the manu-.
facturers be obliged TO submit to such re-
adjustment and modification OF the tarl1
upon their finished goods as would secure
TO the people the benefit OF the reduced cost
oftheir N nufacture, and shield the consumer
against the exuction OF inordtnase prohts.
It will thus be seen that 1res ra" MateEi-
ais and jus. an fearless regulation an Ire,
duction OF the tariff 70 meet the clange1
conditions would curry to every humble
home in the land the blessings OF increased
comfort and cheaper living.
The millions OF our couutrynen Who nave
fought bravely and well for tariff reform,
should be exhorte1 10 continue the s'rd5sie,
boldly challenging to open warfare an :oa,
stantiy guarding asans. tho treachefy ana
half-heastedne ess in their camp.
Tariff reform will not be settled unsil 1t IS
honestly AMI fairly settlsi in the interest,"
and 10 the benefit o. patient ana ion'-71'-