The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1894-08-30
CLEVELAND ON TARIFF.
HE TELLS WHY HE DID NOT SIGN
SENATE BILL
Asks Tariff Reformers to Contin-
uethe Struggle to the End.

ne the Struggle to the End.
| WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-Presiden1
| Cleveland ihas written the following
letter to Representative Catchings, OF
| Mississippi, in which he sets forth his
views of the new tariff law, and gives
his reasons for not approving the bill
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
| WASHINGTON, Aug. p, 1894.
| HON. Il. G. CATCHINGs:
MY DEAR SIR:@Since the convers a.
ton L had with you and Mr.. Clark, OF
Alabama, few days ago, in regard &c
I my action on the tariff bill, now be.
| fore me, l have given the subject fur
| ther and most serious consideration.
| The result is, [ am more settled than
ever in the determination to allow the
bill TO became law without my sig
nature. When the formation of iegis-
latlon, which it was hoped would enI-
body Democratic ideas of tariff rc-
form, was lately entered upon by the
Congress, nothing was further from
my anticipation than d result which
cu1ld not promptly and enthusiastic
ally endorse. 1t is, therefore, with Il
feeling of the utmost disappointment
That L submit TO denial of this priv
ilege.
L do not claim to be better than the
masses of my party, nor do | wish to
avoid any responsibility which on ac-
count of the passage of this law,
ought to bear as 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 disappoint-
ing is still chargeable to Democratic
Of IN yi..i,,
this bill which are not in line with
honest tariff reform, and 1t contains
Inconsistencies and cruditleS which
ought not to appear in tariff laws or
laws of any kind. Besides, there were,
aS yon aud L well know, Incidents ac-
companying the passage of the bill
through the Congress, which made
every sincere tariff refOrmer unhappy,
while influences surrounded it in it's
latter stages and interfered with its
final construction which ought not to
be recognized or tolerated in Demo-
cratic tariff reform councils.
And yet, Notwithstanding all It's
Weiss. tudes, and all the bad treatment
it received at the hands of pretended
frieAds. it presents a vast improve
menIsp existing conditions. 1t will
certainly tighten many tariff burdens
that now rest heavily upon the peo-
pie 1t is not only a barrier against
the return of any protection, but it
furnishes vantage ground from
which must be waged further ag-
greSsive operations against protected
monopoly and governmental favOrit-
Ism. L take my place with the rank
aud 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 fact that the livery of Demo-
cratic tariff reform has been stolen
and worn in the service of Republican
protection, and who have marked the
places where the deadly light of trea-
son has blasted the councils of the
brave in their hour of might.
The trusts and combinatiOns-the
of pelf-whose machina-
tions have prevented US from reaching
the success we deserved, should not be
forgotten or forgiven. We shall re-
cover from our establishment at their
exhibition of power, and if then the
question is forced upon US whether
they shall submit to the free legis-
latiye will of the peoples Representa-
tive or shall dictate the laws which
the people must obey, we will accept
and settle that issue as one involving
l love the principles of true Democra-
cy because they are founded in patriot
ism and upon justice and fairness to-
ward all interests. | am proud of my
party organization because it is con-
Servatlvely sturdy and persistent in
the enforcement of its principles.
Therefore l do not despair of the
efforts made by the House of Repre-
sent natives to supplement the bill
already passed by further legislation,
aud to have engrafted upon it such
mod ficatiOnS as will more nearly meet
Democratic hopes and aspirations l
cannot be mistaken as to the necessity
of free raw materials as the fOunda-
tion OF logical and sensible tariff re-
form The extent to which this is
recognized in the legislation already
secured is one of its encouraging and
redeeming features; but it is veXatious
to recall, that while free coal and iron
ore have been denied US, a recent let
diScloseS the fact that both might
have been made free by the annual
surreLder of only about 800, 900 of I'M
necessary revenue. l am sure that
there is a common habit of under
estimating the Importance of free raw
materials in tariff legislation, and of
regarding them as only related to
concessions to be made to our manu-
facturers. The truth is, their in
fiuence is so far-reaching that if disre-
garded complete and beneticent
scheme of tariff reform cannot be sue
cessfully inaugurated. When we give
to our manufacturers free raw materi-
ais we unshackle American enterprise
and ingenuity, and these will open
the doors of foreign markets to the
receipt of our wares and give OppOr-
Junity for the continuous and remun-
erative employment of American
labor.
With materials cheapened by their
freedom from tariff charges, the cost
of their product must be correspond
ingly cheapened. Thereupon justice
and fairness TO the consumer would
demand that the manufacturers be
obliged to submit to such read
justment and modification of the tar
if upon their finished goods as would
secure to the people the benefit of the
reduced cost of their manufacture,
and shield the consumer against the
| exaction of inordinate profits. 1t will
thus be seen that free raw material
and just and fearless reduction OF
the tariff to meet the changed condi
tions, would carry to every humble
home in the land the blessings of in
creased comfort and cheaper living
The millions of our countrymen who
| have fought bravely and well for tariff
reform should be expected to continue
| the struggle, boldly challenging tt
| open warfare and constantly guarding
| against treachery and half-hearted
ness in their camp. Tariff reform will
| not be settled until it is honestly anC
| fairly settled in the interest and tt
/ the benefit of a patient and long-suf
fering people. Yours very truly,
4 Nh