Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1894-07-27
FIRES HOT SHOT.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND ON
TARIFF REFORM.
Says Congress Must Redeem the Prom
ises of the Democratic Party-Free
Raw Materials Demanded, but Sugar
is a Proper Subject for Taxation.

To Hon. William l.. Wilson:
My Dear Sir--The certainty that q conference
will be ordered between the two houses OF con-
gress for the purpose OF adjusting differences
on the subject OF tariff legislation, makes il
also certain that you will be again called upon
TO do hard service in the cause of tariff reform.
My public life has been so closely related TO
the subject, have so longed for its accom-
plishment and have so often promised its real
lZatiOn To my fellow cOuntrymen as result of
their trust and confidence in the Democratic
party, that hope no excuse is necessary for
my earnest appeal 20 you that in this crisis you
strenuouSly insist upon party honesty and good
faith and a sturdy adherence to Democratic
principles. / believe these are absolutely nee
essary conditions &c the continuation OF Demo-
cratic existence
cannot rid myself OF the feeling that this
conference Will present the best IL not the only
hope of true Democracy. Indications point to
its action rs TO the reliance OF those who de-
sire the genuine frution OF Democratic effort,
the fulhlment of Democratic pledges, and the
redemption OF Democratic promises TO the peO-
pie. 10 reconcile differences in the details
comprised within the liked and well-dChned
lines of principle, will not be the sole task of
the conference, but as IL seems to me- its men,
bers will also have in charge the question
whether Democratic principles themselves are
TO be saved or abandoned.
There is no excuse for mistalSing or misap-
pretending the feeling and the temper of the
rank and ME OF the Democracy. They are
downcast under the assertion that their party
fails In ability to manage the government, and
they are apprehenSive that efforts TO bring
about tariff reform may fail; but they are
much more downcast and apprehenSlVe in the
fear that Democratic principles may be sur
rendered.
In these circumstances they cannot do other
wise than to look with confidence TO you and
those who with you have periodically and sim
cerely championed the cause OF tariff reform
within Democratic lines and guided by Demo-
cratic principles rms confidence Is vastly
augmented by the action under your leader
ship OF the house of representatives upon the
bill now pending.
Every true Democrat and every sincere tariff
rpfOrIQgr knows that this hill.
form, and as IL will be submitted to the confer
ence, falls far short OF the contamination tor
which we have long labored for which we have
suffered defeat without dscourngementi which
in its anticipation gave us rallying cry In our
day OF triumph and which In its promise of ac-
COmpliShmcnt is so interviewer with Democratic
pledges and Democratic success that our
abandonment Of the cause or the principles
upon which 1t rests means party perEdy and
One topic will be submitted to the conference
which embOdies Democratic principle so
directly that II cannot be compromised. We
nave IN our platforms ana IN every way
possible declared in favor OF the free
importation OF raw materials, ana we
have again and again promised that this
should be accorded to our people and our
manufacturers as soon as the Democratic
party was invested with power to determine
the tar,n policy Of the country. TAe party has
now that power. We are certain today as
we have ever been of the great benefit that
would accrue to the country from the Inaugural
ton of this policy and nothing has occurred TO
advantage To our people. 1t must be admitted
that no tariff measure can accord with Demo-
cratic principles and promises or bear a genu-
inc Democratic badge that does not provide for
free raw materials
In these circumstances It may well excite
our wonder that Democrats are willing to de-
part from this, the most Democratic OF all
tariff principles, and that the inconsistent alb
surdlty OF such proposed departure should
be emphasized by the suggestion that the wool
of the farmer be put on the free list and the
protection Of tariff taxation be placed around
the iron ore and coal OF corporations and cap
italists How can we face the people after in
dulging in such outrageous Determinations
and violations OF principle!
1t is quite apparent that this question OF
free raw material does not admit OF adjust
ment on any middle ground, since their sub
lection TO any rate of tariff taxation, great or
small, IS alike violative OF Democratic prin-
ctple and Democratic good faith.
hope that you will not consider IL instru-
Sive II / say something in relation TO another
subject which can hardly fail to be trouble.
some TO the conference. refer to the ADJUST
ment of the tariff taxation on sugar. Under
our party platform and in accordance with our
declared p 4rty purposes sugar is a legitimate
and logical article OF revenue taxation. I'm
fortunately, however, incidents have accom-
panied certain stages OF the legislation which
will be submitted TO the conference that have
aroused in connection with this sub ect a
natural Democratic animosity TO the methods
and manipuations OF trusts and combinations.
confess to sharing in this feelings and yet it
seems TO me we ought IL possible. TO sum-
GENTLY free ourselves from prejudice TO enable
us coolly to weigh the considerations. in formu-
lating the tariff, that ought to guide our treat
ment OF sugar as "A taxable article.
While no tenderness should be entertained
for trusts, and while l am decidedly opposed
TO granting them under the guise OF tarif taxa
ton any opportunity TO further their peculiar
methods, / suggest that we ought not to be
driven away from the Democratic principle
and policy which led to the taxation OF sugar.
by the fear quite likely exaggerated, that in
carrying out this principle and policy we may
indirectly and inordinately encourage n COM
biDntlOn of refining interests. / know
that in present conditions this is a delicate
subject. and / appreciate the depth and
strength of feeling which its treatment has
aroused. | do not believe we should do evil
that good may come, but IL seems to me that
we should not forget that our "A IN is the com
plettOn OF a tariff Dill ana that IN taxing sugar
for proper purposes and within reasonable
bounds, whatever else may be said OF our ac-
ton. we are in no danger OF running counter to
Democratic principle. With all there is at
stake, there must be in the treatment Of this
article some ground upon which all are willing
to stand where federation and Cancellation
may be allowed to solve the problem. without
demanding the entire surrender OF fixed and
conscientious convictions.
In the conclusions of the conference, touch
ing the numerous items which will be cOnsd-
cred. the people are afraid that their interests
will be neglected. They know that the general
result so far as they are concerned will be To
place home necessaries and comforts more
easily within their reach. and to insure better
and surer compensation TO those who toll
We all know that a tariff law, covering all
the varied interests and conditions of u country
as vast as ours must OF necessity be largely
the result of honorable adjustment and COM
promise.
l expect very few of us can say, when our
measure is perfected, that all its features are
entirely as we would prefer. You know how
much / deprecated the Incorporation in the
proposed bill OF the income tax feature In
matters of this kind, however. which do not
violate a fixed and recognized Democratic doc
trine, we are willing to defer to the judgment
of majority of our Democratic brethren.
| think there is ageneral agreement that this is
party duty.
This Is more palpably apparent when we
recognize that the business of our country
tmidly stands and watches for the result OF
our efforts to perfect tariff legislation; that "a
quick and certain return of prosperity waits
upon a wise adj iustment, and that cOniiding
people still trust in our hands their prosperity
and well-being.
The Democracy of the land plead most earn
estly for the speedy completion of the tariff
legislation which their representatives have
undertaken; but they demand not less earn
cstly that no stress of necessity shall tempt
those they trust TO the abandonment OF Demo-
cratic principles. Yours Very Truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND
Ex-President Harrison, is expected
at the Traverse Beach summer resort.
Fred Cuthbert, aged 10 years, of Bay
City, while hunting eggs in his fathers
l.. f.I1 4 -. n1