Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-08-31
MIR. CleveIand's Letter.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington. Aug. u. 1894.

Washington, Aug. q, 1894.
Hon. T. c.. Cdtchings:
Ny 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, | have given
the subject further and more serious con-
sideration. The result is l am more settled
than ever in the determination to allow the
bill to become law without my signature.
When the formulation of legislation |
which it was hoped would embody Demo
cratic ideas of tariff reform was lately en-
tered upon by the Congress, nothing was |
further from my anticipation than result |
which | could not promptly and enthusiast |
tically endorse. 1t is, therefore, with feel |
ing of the utmost disappointment that |
submit to denial to this privilege.
l 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, l ought to bear as a
member 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 disappointing, is still charge
able 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 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 latter
stages, and nterfered with its final con-
struction which ought not to be recognized
or tolerated in Democratic tariff reform
councils. And yet, Notwithstanding all
its vcissitudes and all the bad treatment it
received at the hands of pretended friends,
it presents vast improvement to existing
conditions. 1t will certainly tighten many
tariff burdens that now rest heavily upon
the people. 1t is not only barrier against
the return of mad protection, but it furnish
es vantage ground from which mnst be
waged further aggressive operations against
protected monopoly and governmental IA
voritism.
take my place with the rank and file of
the Democratic party who believe in tariff
reform and who know what it is, who re-
fuse 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 the
Democratic reform has been stolen and
worn in the service of Republican protec-
ton, and who have marked the places
where the deadly blight of treason has
blasted the counses of the brave in their
hour of might. The trusts and combira-
tions-the communism of pelf-whose
Vaccinations have prevented us from
reaching the success we deserved-should
not be forgotten nor forgiven. We shall
recover from our establishment at their eX
hibition of power, and if then the question
is forced upon us whether they shall sub
NIT to the free legislative will of the people
representatives or shall dictate the law
: which the people must obey, we will accep
and settle that issue as one involving til,
J integrity and safety of American institu
tions.
, l love the principles of true Democrat
because they are founded on patriotism ant
upon justice and fairness toward all inter
ests. | am proud of my party organization
= because it is cOnservatively sturdy and pei
= sistent in the enforcement of its principles
Therefore, | do not despair of the effort
made by the House of Representatives t
supplement the bill already passed by ful
T. Their legislation and to have engrafted upo
i it such notifications as will more nearl
meet Democratic hopes and aspirations.
: cannot be mistaken as to the necessit
> of free raw materials as the foundation {
Z logical and sensible tariff reform The e>
J tent to which it is recognized in the legi
g lation already secured is one of its encou
ing and redeeming features; but it is veX;
= tious to recall that while free coal and iro
70 ore have been denied us, recent letter {
the secretary of the treasury dscloses ii
fact that both might have been made frC
& by the annual surrender of only abol
500, 900 of unnecessary revenue.
t. am sure that there is common hab
L of Understanding the importance of fir
t. raw materials in tariff legislation and
IT regarding them as only related to conce
Of sons to be made to our manufacturer
is The truth is, their influence is so far-reac
m ing that if disregarded, a complete al
We