The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-09-05
TARIFF BILL NOW A LAW.
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER.
The Reasons That Caused the President
to Withhold His Signature.

The senate tarin bill which recently pass
ed the house became law on Tuesday,
August 2s. without the presidents signature.
In "A letetr TO Representative Catchings, Of
Mississippi, dated August "a, the president
sets forth the reasons which prevented his
eigning the bill. lie says
"since the conversation had with you and
Mr.. Clarke, of Alabama, n few days ago, In
regard to my action on the tariff bill now be-
fore me, have given the subject further and
most serious consideration. The result Is
nm more settled than ever In my determine
tion to allow the bill TO become law without
my signature
when the formation OF legislation which
Il was hoped would embody Democratic
ideas OF tariff reform was lately entered upon
by the Congress, nothing was further away
from my anticipation than result which i
could not promptly and enthusiastically In
dorse.
at IL tn esefore, with a feeling Of the ut
most disappointment that submit to dental
of this privilege.
~ do not claim 10 be better than the masses
Of my party. nor do wish to avoid any re-
eponsibiity which, ON account of the pas
cage OF this law, ought to bear as mem
ber Of the Democratic organization Neither
will permit myself 10 be separated from my
party to such an extent as might be implied
by my veto OF tariff legislation which though
disappointing, Is still chargeabe to Demo-
cratic effort. But there are provisions In
this bill which are not In line with honest
tariff reform, and IL contains Inconsistencies
and crudities which ought not TO appear In
tariff laws or laws Of any kind. Besides,
there were, as you and i well know, incl
dents accompanying the passage Of the bill
through the Congress which made every
sincere tarih reformer unhappy. while In
fuences surrounded II In its latter stages and
interfered with its final construction, which
ought not to be recognized or tolerated In
Democratic tariff reform counsels.
"And yet, Notwithstanding all its vicissi-
tudes and all the bad treatment II received at
the hands Of pretended friends. 1t presents
vast improvement to existing conditions. II
will certainly tighten many tariff burdens
that now rest heavily upon the people. 1t IL
not only barrier against the return OF mad
protection, but 1t furnishes a vantage ground
from which must be wnged further aggres-
Give operations against protected monopoly
snd governmental favoritism.
II take my place with the rank and file OF
the Democratic party, who believe In tariff
reform and who know what It is. who refuse
10 accept the results embodied in this bill as
the close OF the wal, who are not blinded to the
fact that the livery Of Democratic tariff reform
has been stolen and worn In the service OF
Republican protection. and who haye mark
ed the places where the deadly light OF trea-
eon has blasted the counsuls Of the brave in
their hour OF might.
"The trusts and combinations COM
munism OF pelf-whose machinatious have
prevented US from reaching tho success we
deserved, should not be forgotten but forgiv-
en- We shall recover from our astonishment
at an exhibition Of power, and II then the
question is forced upon us whether they shall
submit to the free legislative will OF the peo-
pies representatives or shall dictate the laws
which the people must obey. we will acaept
and settle that issue as one involving the In
tegrity and safety Of American institutions.
~ love the principles OF true Democracy
because they are founded on patriotism and
upon justice and fairness toward all inter
eets. / am proud Of my party organization
because II Is eonservatively sturdy and per-
eistent In the enforcement OF Its principles.
Therefore do not despair Of the efforts made
by the House OF Representatives to supple
ment the bill already passed by further legis-
lation and to have engrafted upon 1t such
notifications as will meet the Democratic
hopes and aspirations.
IL cannot be mistaken as to tho necessity
OF free raw material as the Foundation OF
logical and sensible tariff reform. The ex-
tent to which this is recognized In the legis-
lation already secured Is one OF its encour.
aging and redeeming features but 1t is vex-
ations to recall that while free coal and iron
ore have been denied us, a recent letter OF
the Secretary Of the Treasury discloses the
fact that both might have been made free by
the annual surrender Of only about $1,000
OF unnecessary revenue.
II am sure that there is q common habit
OF Understanding the Importance Of free
raw materials In tariff Legislation, and OF re-
garding them rs only related to concessions
10 be made to our manufacturers. The
truth is their influence II SO far reaching,
that II II is disregarded a complete and ben.
efficient scheme OF tariff reform cannot be
successfully inaugurated.
when we give our manufacturers free raw
materials we unshackle American enterprises
and ingenuity, and these will open the doors
Of foreign markets to the reception OF our
wares and give opportunity for the continu.
GUS and remunerative employment Of Ameri.
can labor.
"with materials cheapened by their free
dom from tarin charges the cost Of their pro.
duct must be correspondingly cheapened.
Thereupon justice and fairness to the con.
sumer would demand that the manufacturers
be Obliged to submit to such readjustment
and modification OF the tariff upon their
finished goods as would secure to the people
the benefit OF the reduced cost Of their manu-
facture and shield the consumer against the
exaction of inordinate profits
"It will thus be seen that free raw mater
ials and a just and fearless regulation and re-
duction OF the tarif to meet the changed con-
ditions would carry to every humble home In
the land, the blessings of increased comfort
and cheaper living
"The millions OF our countrymen who have
fought bravely and well for tariff reform
should be exhorted TO continue the struggle
by challenging TO open warfare and constant
)y guarding against treachery and half heart
edness In their camp.
Tariff reform will not be settled until It is
honestly and fairly settled in the interest and
TO the benefit Of a patient and long-suffering
peore."