The People's friend., 1894-08-31
FOR TARIFF REFORM.

Holding His Signature from the Tariff
Billie Takes His Place with the Rank
and File of the Democratic Party.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-The presi-
dent Yesterday sent the following let
ter to Representative Catchings of
Mississippi, who consented to its pub
lication in view of its public character
and Importance:
Hon I. c. Catchngs:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Aug.
27.-My Dear Sir: Since the conversation l
had with YOU and Mr. Clark, OF Alabama, few
days ago in regard to my action upon the tarln
bill now before me, have given the subject
fun and most serious considerations Ihe re-
suit is lam more settled than ever in the de-
termination to allow the bill to become law
without my signature
VIXEN the formulation OF legislation Whlch III
was hoped would embOdy democratic IDEAS OF
,arif reform was lately entered upon by the
congress nothing was further from my articl-
pttion than a result which | could not prompt
IL and enthusiastically indorse. 1t is therefore
with a feeling of the utmost disappointment
that | submit to deniat of this privilege,
| DO not claim to be better than the
masses of my party, nor do l wish TO aEold
any responsibility which, on account OF the
passage of this law, ought to bear as men,
Der of the democratic organization, neither
party to such an extent as might be implied by
nv veto of tariff legislation which, though dis
appointing. is still chargeable to democratic
effort. But there are provisions in this Dill
which are not in line with honest tariff reform.
and it contains inconsistencies and crudltlcs
which ought not TO apper in tarln laws
or laws of any kind. Besides, there were as
YOU and we'll know, incidents accompanying
the passage of the bill through congress which
made every sincere reformer unhappy, Whlle
influences surrounded it in the latter stages
and interfered with its final construction which
ought not to be recognized or tolerated IN DEM
ocratic tariff reform councils.
And vet, notwithstanding all its vicissltude=
and ali the bad treatment it received at the
hands Of pretended friends it presents vast
Improvement to existing conditions. 1t VIII
tighten many tariff burdens that now rest
heavily upon the people. 1t is not only bar
rler against the return of mad protection, but
it furni> hes vantage ground from which must
be waged further aggressive operations against
protected monopoly and governmental taVOrlt-
ism.
| 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 TACT thaJ
the livery of democratic reform has been stolen
and worn in the service of republican prUtcc-
ton 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 cOmbinatlons-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 aStOnlShment at tnelr
exhibition of power. and if then the question
is fore ed upon us whether they shall submit TO
the free legislative will of the people repre-
sentatives or Shall dictate the laws which the
| people must obey. we will accept and settle
that issue as one involving the integrity ana
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. am
proud of my party organization because it is
| conservative. sturdy and persistent in the en-
/ forcement of its principles. Therefore L &c
| 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 as will more
| nearly meet democratic hopes and aspirations
cannot be mistaken as to the necessity o
| free raw materials as the foundation of loglca
and sensible tariff reform. The extent t(
which this is recognized in the legislation al
I ready secured is one-of it's encouraging Tea
/ lures: but it is veXatiouS to recall that while
! free coal and iron have been denied, q letter o.
the secretary Of the treasury discloses the fact
4 that both might have been made free by the
! annual surrender of only about 100000 OF un
necessary revenue
l am sure that there is a common habit o
| under Stmatlng 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 intiu
| ence is so far-reaching that if disregarded
| complete and benetiCent scheme of tariff re
form cannot be successfully inaugurated
/ When we give to our manufacturers free raw
| materials we unShackle American enterprise
| and ingenuity. and these will open the doors 0
foreign markets to the reception Of our wares
and gi We opportunity for the continuous ant
remunerative employment of American labor
With materials cheapened by their freedom
from tariff charges. the cost Of their produc
must be correspondingly cheapened. There
upon business and fairness to the consume
would demand that the manufacturers b.
obliged to submit to such readjuStment an
modification OF the tariff upon their finiShe
goods as would secure to the people the benefit
the reduced cost of their manufacture and Shlel
the producer against the eXactlOnS OF lnOrdl
nate profits. 1t will thus be seen that IRE
raw materials and just and fearless regula
tiOn and reduction of the tariff to meet tn
changed conditions, would carry to every hum
BILE home in the land the blessings OF lncreaSe'
comfort and cheaper living
The millions of cOuntrymen who have
fought bravely and wellfOr tariff reform Shoul
be eXhorted to continue the struggle, boldl
challenging to open warfare and CONSTANT
guarding against treachery and half-hearted
ness in their camp. Tariff reform will not
settled until it is honestly and fairly settled /
the interest and to the benefit Of patient an
ong-sufering people. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.