The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-08-31
ON THE TARIFF.
The President Writes a Letter to
Representative Catchings.
THE BILL DOES NOT SUIT HIM.
Mr.. Cleveland Says There Are Provisions
Not IN Line with Reform, but 1t L.
an improvement to Existing
Conditions.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s.-The presi
dent yesterday sent the following let
ter to Representative Catchings, of
Mississippi, who consented to it's pub
lication in view of its public character
and Importance:
Hon. 7. C. Catchings:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON. Aug.
27.-My Dear Sir: Since the conversation ]
had with you and Mr. Clark, of Alabama, a few
days ago in regard to my action upon the tariff
bill now before me- 1 have given the subject
| full and most serious consideration. The re-
/ suit is l am more settled than ever In the de-
| termination to allow the bill to become a law
| without my signature.
When the formulation 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 antici-
patton than result which could not prompt
ly and enthusiastically indorse. 1t is therefore
with feeling of the utmost disappointment
that submit to a denial OF this privilege.
1 do not claim to be better than the
masses of my party, nor do wish to avoid
any responsibility which, on account of the
passage Of this law ought to bear as a men,
ber OF the democratic organization. neither
will permit myself to be separated from my
party to such an extent as might be implied by
my veto Of tariff legislation which, though dis
appointing, is still chargeable to democratic
effort. But there are provisions in this bill
which are not in line with honest tariff reform,
and it contains inconsistencies and crudities
which ought not to apper in tariff laws
or laws of any kind. Besides, there were, as
you and well know, incidents accompanying
the passage Of the bill through congress which
made every sincere reformer unhappy, while
influences surrounded 1t in the latter stages
int frh
ought not to be recognized or tolerated in DEM
ocratic tariff reform councils.
And yet, Notwithstanding all its vicissitudes
and all the bad treatment 1t received at the
hands Of pretended friends 1t presents a vast
improvement to existing conditions. 1t will
tighten many tariff burdens that now rest
heavily upon the people. 1t is not only bar
rier against the return Of mad protection, but
it furnishes a vantage ground from which must
be waged further aggressive operations against
protected monopoly and governmental favorit-
ism.
1 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 as the close of
the war. who are not blinded to the fact that
the livery of democratic reform has been stolen
and worn in the service Of republican protec-
tion, and who have marked the places where
the deadly blight of treason has blasted
the councils of the brave in their hour OF
might The trusts and combnations-the
communism of pelf-whose Vaccinations have
prevented us from reaching the success we de-
serve should not be forgotten or forgiven. We
shall recover from our astonishment at their
exhibition of power, and il then the question
is for ed upon us whether they shall submit to
the free legislative will OF the peoples repre-
sentatives 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.
love the principles of true democracy be-
cause they are founded in patriotism and upon
justice and fairness toward all interests. lam
proud of my party organization because it is
conservative. sturdy and persistent in the en-
forcement OF its principles. Therefore 1 dc
not despair Of the efforts made by the house OF
representatives to supplement the bill already
passed by further legislation and to have en-
grated upon it such notifications will more
nearly N Get democratic hopes and aspirations
cannot be mistaken as to the necessity
free raw materials as the foundation of logical
and sensible tarii reform. The extent to
which this is recognized in the legislation al
ready secured is one of it's encouraging fea-
lures; but 1t is vexatious to recall that while
free coal and iron have been denied, a letter OF
the secretary of the treasury discloSes the fact
that both might have been made free by the
annual surrender of only about s7J0OOO OF un-
necessary revenue.
1 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 concessions to be made
to our manufacturers. The truth is their infu-
ence is so far-reaching that il disregarde1
complete and benefcent scheme of tariff re-
form cannot be successfully Inaugural tel |
When We give to our manufacturers free raw
materials we unshactle American enterprise |
and ingenuity. and these will open the doors of !
foreign markets to the reception of our wares |
and gi We opportunity fer the continuous and |
employment of American labor.
With materials cheapencd by their freedom |
from tariff charges, the cost OF their product |
must be correspondingly cheapened. There |
upon juStness and fairness to the consumer |
would demand that the manufacturers be |
obliged to submit to such a readjustment ana |
modification of the tariff upon their finished |
goods as would secure to thepeorle the benefit OF
the reduced cost of their man afacture and shield |
the producer against the exactions OF iuordi- |
nate profits. 1t will thus be seen that free |
raw materials ard 4 just and fearless regula-
tion and reduction of the tariff to meet the
changed conditions, would carry to every hum
BILE home in the land the blessings OF increased
comfort and cheaper living.
The millions OF oar countrymen who have
be exhorted to continue the struggle boldly
guarding against treachery and hnlf-hearted-
ness in their camp. Tariff reform will not be
settled until it is honestly and fairly settled in
the interest and u the benefit of a patient and
people. Yours very truly,
GROVER f'IEvEIANn