Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-20

raw materials. The President cannot ap-
prove the Senate bill after what he has
said in this remarkable letter.
He arraigns the Senate and intimates that
the enactment of the Senate bill means
party pei Idly and party dishonor." These
are strong words, which the President of
the United States would not use towards
measure which he ever expected afterwards
to approve.
Veto FOreshadOwed.
This letter, unusual and unprecedented in
its character and method of promulgation
though 1t may be- nevertheless clearly fore
shadows a veto of the Senate bill, even II
the House should finally concur in our
amendments What person would expect
the President to approve the Senate bill
after it's vigorous and scathing denuncia-
ton contained in his letter. You would
thirk less of him for his glaring incon-
sistency.
No, this letter is significant 1t is bold
vigorous, even IL imprudent; 1t means war
to the knife against the Senate bill; 1t JUS
titles much that has been said against the
Senate bill during all the last three months;
1t means that 1t can never receive executive
approval; 1t means that the Senate cannot
be permitted to abandon or surrender the
great underlying principles for which we
struggled and lost in 1883, and fought and
won in 1892.
The President is right; there is no mid
die ground which We can occupy. No bill
which does not provide for free raw mate
rials can be permitted to become law.
1t is unnecessary to enter into any argu-
ment to define or designate what articles
constitute raw materials. Every democrat
knows what they are. Any article may be
considered raw material when 1t Is In the
lowest or crudest form in which it enters
into commerce That definition Is ample
and sufficient. and will redeem our pledges
if it Is honestly applied. The party plat
form was for free, not freer. raw materials,
as Is now ingeniously contended.
II the President in his wisdom had seen
fit. while the debate was progressing in the
Senate. to have aided my efforts to secure
adhesion to this principle. by expressing his
views In favor thereof in some proper and
legitimate way, l should have been gratified
practical benefit to the cause. I rejoice that
he has expressed them even now, although
/ am not required to defend the manner
and form of their presentation. even II. they
require defense. which do not assume.
As to Sugar.
1 respectfully differ from the President
In his assumption that a tax upon sugar is
necessary at this time, conceding that an
income tax is to be retained. Clearly both
are not needed for any legitimate pur-
poses Of the treasury. The President speaks
of the democratic principle and policy
which lead to the taxation of sugar" He
dSSoi - tldl III tue tdAdliOii VI SUSdA We
are in no danger of running counter to
democratic principles"
desire only to suggest that IL it was de-
sirable that sugar should be taxed "as a
legitimate and logical article of revenue
taxation" as he now says 1t seems strange
that the President did not, In his last an
nral message, make some intimation, sug-
gestion or recommendation to that effect
He indorsed the Wilson bill explicitly in
his message. although 1t provided substan-
TALLY for free raw sugar He permitted the
House to pass that measure without word
of protest. suggestion or advice that there
should be a tax on sugar. which has come
saries Of life.
Secretary Carlisle the trusted financial
officer of his cabinet, speaking unquestion-
ably ey cathreda. outlined with great care
the essential provisions of the proposed
tariff reform bill, but made no recommenda-
ton whatever for a tax upon sugar. While
free sugar was being carried through the
House the administration remained quiet
and passive. but now, after the House has
acted and the country has been led to eX-
pect free sugar. the administration shows
It's hand and declares for duty upon 1t.
am not now antagonizlng its suggestion
I am simply stating the facts of recent his
tory. Under the existing circumstances
with an income tax retained in this bill
I voted for free sugar before, and l shall
do SO again.
In my Judgment the House canno. now
honorably retreat from its position in favor
Of free sugar. The Presidents suggestion
came too late. The Senate must recede
from its amendments.