Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-07-26

Inc great DeHSHt IndL WOULD accrue TO
the country from the Inauguration of
this policy, and nothing has occurred
to release us from obligation to secure
this advantage to our people. 1t must
be admitted that no tariff measure can
accord with democratic principles and
promises to bear genuine democratic
badge that does not provide for free
raw materials.
''In these circumstances it may well
excite our wonder that democrats are
willing to depart from this, the most
democratic of all tariff principles, and
that the inconsistent absurdity of
such proposed departure should
be emphasized bv the suggestion
that the wool of the farmer be put on
the free list and the protection of the
tariff taxation be placed around the
iron ore of corporations and capitalists.
How can we face the people after in
dulging in such outrageous discrim-
nations and violations of principle?
1T is quite apparent that this question
of free raw material does not admit of
adjustment on middle ground, since
their subsection to any rate of tariff
taxation, great or small, is alike vio-
lation of democratic principle and dem
ocratic good faith.
Il hope you will not consider it in
trusive ii l say something in relation
to another subject, which can hardly
fail to be troublesome to the confer
ence. / refer to the adjustment OF
tariff taxation on sugar.
Under our party platform and in ac-
cordance with our declared party pur-
poses, sugar is a legitimate and logical
article of revenue taxation. Unfortu-
nately. however. incidents have accom-
panied certain stages of the legisla-
ton which will be submitted to
the conference that have aroused
in connection with this sub
ject natural democratic animosity to
the methods and manipulations of
trusts and combinations. I confess to
sharing in this feeling; and yet it
seems to me we ought, if possible, to
sufficiently free ourselves from preiu-
dice to enable us coolly to weigh the
considerations which in formulating
tariff legislation ought to guide OR
trea tment of sugar as a taxable arti-
Gle.
''While no tenderness should be en-
tertained for trusts, and while l am de-
cldedly opposed to granting them, I'M
der the guise of tariff taxation. any op-
pOrtuniGy to further their peculiar
methods, suggest that we ought not to
be driven away from the democratic
principle and policy which lead to the
taxation OF sugar, by the fear, quite
likely exaggerated, that in carrying
out this principle and policy we may
indirectly and Unfortunately encour-
age a combination of sugar REIN
ing interests. I know that in pres
ent conditions this is a delicate sub
ject and I appreciate the depth and
strength of the feeling which its treat
ment has aroused. ! do not believe we
should do evil that good may come, but
it seems to me that we should not for
get that our aim is the reduction of
the tariff and in taxing sugar for
proper purposes and within reasona BILE
bounds, whatever else may be said
of our acts, we are in no danger of run
ming counter to democratic principle
With all there is at stake there must
be in the treatment of this article some
ground upon which we are all willing
to stand, where liberation and concilia-
ton may be allowed to solve the prob
lem, without demanding the entire
surrender of fixed and conscientious
convictions.
Il ought not to prolong this letter.
If what I have written is unwelcome,
L beg you to believe in my good inten-
tiOns.
I'm the conclusions of the con-
Ference touching the numerous
items which will be considered,
the people are not afraid that
their interests will not be neglected.
They know that the general result so
far as they are concerned will be to
place home necessaries and comfort
more easily within their reach. and to
insure better and Surer compensation
to those who toll.
1--WE all know that tariff covering
all the varied interests and condition
under country as vast as ours must.
of necessity. be largely the result of
adjustment and compromise.
Il expect very few of US can say when
our measure is perfected that all it's
features are entirely as we would pre-
fer. You know how much deprecated
the Incorporation in the proposed bill
of the income tax feature. In matters
"a ILLS hlHl, Ho"eNtT, WHICH 40
not violate fixed and recognized DEM
ocratic doctrine we are willing to defer
to the Judgment of the majority of
our democratic brethren. think there
is general agreement that this is
party duty.
''This is more palpably apparent
when we realize that the business of
our country timidly stands and watches
for the result of our efforts to perfect
tariff legislation, that quick and GER
tain return of prosperity waits upon a
wise adjustment, and that a confiding
people still trust in our hands their
prosperity and well-being.
THE democracy of the land plead
earnestly for the speedy completion of
the tariff legislation which their rep
resentatives have undertaken, but they
demand not less earnestly that no
stress of necessity shall tempt those
they trust to the abandonment of dem
ocratic principles.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND"
THE RUSSIAN MISSION.