The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-08-28
CLEVELAND EXPLAINS.
Why the New Tariff Became Law
Without His Signature.
NOT WHAT THE COUNTRY WANTED.
The Measure, However. Presents n Vast
Improvement ON Existing Conditions.
and VIII Tighten Many Tariff burdens
That Now Rest Heavily on the People.


Improvements on Existing Conditions.
and VIII Tighten Many Tariff Burdens
That Now Rest Heavily on the People.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-The president
yesterday sent the following letter to Rop.
resentative Catchings of Mississippi, who
consented to its publication in view of its
public character and importance:
Hon. L, C. Catchings:
MY DEAR SIR-Since the conversation
had with you and Mr.. Clark of Alabama,
few days ago in regard to my action
upon the tariff bill now before me, have
given the subject further and most ser
ious consideration. The result is 1 am
more settled than ever in the determine
tion to allow the bill to become q law
without my signature
When the formulation of legislation
which it was hoped would embody Demo
cratic ideas of tariff reform was lately
entered upon by congress nothing was
further from my anticipation than a re
suit which could not promptly and en-
Enthusiastically indorse. 1t is therefore
with a feeling of utmost disappointment
that l submit to denial of this privilege.
do not claim to be better than the
masses of my party, nor do / wish to
avoid any responsibility which, on ac-
count of the passage of this law, ought
to bear as member of the Democratic
organization. Neither will permit my.
self to be separated from my party to
such an extent as might be implied by
my veto of tariff legislation, which,
though disappointing, is still chargeable
to Democratic effort. But there are pro
visions in this bill which are not in line
with honest tariff reform, and it contains
inco nsistencies and crudities which ought
not to appear in tariff laws or laws of any
kind. Besides, there were, as you and
well know, Incidents accompanying the
passage of the bill through the congress
which made every sincere tariff reformer
unhappy, while influences surrounded it
in its later stages and interfered with its
final constru ction which ought not to be
recognized or tolerated in Democratic re-
form counsels.
And yet, notwithstanding all it's vicisst
tudes and all the bad treatment 1t re-
ceived at the hands of pretended friends,
it presents vast improvement to exist
Ing conditions. 1t will certainly tighten
many tariff burdens that now rests heavily
upon the people. 1t is not only a barrier
against the return of mad protection, but
1t furnishes vantage ground from which
must be waged further aggressive opera
tions against protected monopoly and
governmental favoritism.
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 to accept the results embodied
in this bill at the close of the war, who
are not blinded to the fact that the livery
of Democratic tariff reform has been
stolen and worn in the service of Repub-
lican protection, and who have marked
the places where the deadly blight of trea
son has blasted the counsels of the brave
in their hour of might.
The trusts and combinations-the com.
munism of pelf-whose Vaccinations have
prevented us from reaching the success
we deserved, should not be forgotten nor
forgiven. We shall recover from our as
constituent at their exhibition of power
and II then the question is forced upon US
whether they shall submit to the free
legislative will of the peoples representa-
tives or shall dictate the laws which the
people must obey, we will accept and set
tie that issue as one involving the integ.
rity and safety of American institutions.
l love the principles of true Democracy,
because they are founded on patriotism,
and on justice and fairness toward all in
terests. / am proud of my party organ.
ization because it is conservatively sturdy
and persistent in the enforcement of its
principles. Therefore, 1 do not despair of
the efforts made by the house of repre-.
sentatiyes to supplement the bill already
passed by further legislation, and to have
engrafted 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 OF
logical and sensible tariff reform. The
extent to which this is recognized in the
legislation already secured is one of its
encouraging and redeeming features but
1t Is veNatious to recall that, while free
coal and iron ore have been denied us, a
recent letter of the secretary of the treas.
ury discloses the fact that both might
have been made free by the annual sur.
render of only about s7o0, 900 of unneces.
sary revenue.
l am sure that there is a common habit
of Understanding the Importance of free
raw materials in tariff legislation, and OF
regarding them as only related to conces-
sions to be made our manufacturers. The
truth is, their influence is SO far reaching
that II disregarded a complete and benef-
cent scheme of tariff reform cannot be
successfully inaugurated
When we give to our manufacturers
free raw materials we unshackle Ameri.
can enterprise and ingenuity and these
| will open the doors of foreign markets to
the reception Of our wares and give op.
portuuity for the continuous and re-
/ munerative employment of American la
bor.
With materials cheapened by their
freedom from tariff charges the cost OF
their product must be correspondingly
cheapened. Thereupon justice and fair
ness to the consumer would demand that
the manufacturers be obliged to submit
| to such adjustment and modification
of the tariff upon their finished goods as
would secure to the people the benefit OF
| the reduced cost of their manufactur re
and shield the consumer against tho ex-
action of inordinate profits.
1t will thus be seen that free raw ma.
terials and n just and fearless regulation
and reduction of the tariff to meet the
changed conditions would carry to every
humble home in the land the blessings OF
| increased comfort and cheaper living.
The millions of our countrymen wkc
have fought bravely and we'll for tariff re
form should be exhorted to continue the
struggle, boldly challenging to open war.
fare and constantly guarding against
treachery and half heartedness in theii
| camp.
Tariff reforms will not be settled until
| IL Is honestly and fairly settled in the in
terest and to the benefit of patient and
b,ng suffering people.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLETELaND.
Nirararua Outrayo ctlciaiIx ranar,,.,,