The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-20
CLEVELAND'S LETTER
Message on the Tariff Made Pub
lie Through Chairman Wilson.
The President Inveighs Against the Sem
ate Measure on the Ground that
1t Protects Too Much.
1T is NOT TARIFF REFORM
Such as the Executive and His
Party Have Long Demanded.
He Also Gays that the Bill Discriminates
by Levying Duties OH Some Raw Ma
terials and Making Wool Free.
SENTIMENT OF CONGRESSMEN
Senator'S Characterize the Message
as ''Very Extraordinary"
While Some Representatives Fear the
Presidents Action Will Make Tar
iff Legislation Impossible.

WASHINGTON, July 19-During the de-
bate in the House to-day on conference re-
port on the tariff bill Mr.. Wilson. chair
man of the ways and means committee.
sent to the clerks desk and had read
letter from President Cleveland. The let
ter, which was dated July 3 was addressed
to ''Hon. William l.. Wilson," and marked
personal" 1t follows:
MY Dear Sir-The certainty that con-
ference will be ordered between the two
houses of Congress for the purpose of ad-
justing differences on the subject of tariff
legislation, makes IL also certain that you
will be again called upon to do hard SER
vice in the cause of tariff reform. Ny
public life has been closely related 10
the subject, L have so longed for its ac-
complishments, and l have so often prom
ised its realization to my fellow-co airy
men, as a result of their trust and conf
dence in the Democratic party, that | hope
excuse is necessary for my earnest ap-
peal to you that in this crisis you strenu-
ously insist upon party honesty and good
faith and a steady adherence 10 Demo-
cratic principles i believe these are abSo-
lutely necessary conditions to the continue
ton of Democratic existence. l cannot rid
myself or the feeling that this conference
will present the best If not the only hope
OF true Democracy. Indications point TO It's
action as the reliance of those who desire
the genuine fruition of Democratic effort,
the fulfillment of Democratic pledges and
the redemption of Democratic promises 10
the people. To reconcile differences In the
well-defined lines of principle will not be
the sole task of the conference. but. as il
seems to me, its members will have in
charge the question whether Democratic
principles themselves are to be saved or
abandoned.
There is no excuse for mistaking or
misapprehending the feeling and the temper
of the rank and file of the Democracy.
They downcast under the assertion
that their party fails in ability to manage
the government, and they are apprehenSve
that efforts to bring about tariff reform
may fail; but they much more down
cast and apprehensive In their fear that
Democra tic principles may be surrendered.
In these circumstances they cannot do
otherwise than TO look with confidence 10
you and those who with you have patriot
ically and sincerely championed the cause
of tariff reform within Democratic lines
and guarded by Democratic principles. This
confidence is vastly augmented by the
ton, under your leadership, of the House
OF Representatives upon the bill now pend
NOT TRUE TARIFF REFORM.
Every true Democrat and every sincere
tariff reformer knows that this BILL in its
present form and as it will be submitted
to the conference. falls far short of the
consummation for which have long
labored, for which we have suffered defeat
without encouragement, which in its
ticpation gives us a rallying cry in our
day of triumph, and which in its promise
OF accomplishment is so interviewer with
Democratic pledges and Democratic sue
cess that our abandonment of the cause
or the principles upon which 1t rests means
party perlidy and party dishonor.
one topic will be submitted TO the con
ference which embodies Democratic princi-
plies so directly that 1t cannot be cOmpro-
missed. We have in our platform and in
every way possible declared in favor of the
free importation of raw materials. 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 the power to de-
termine the tariff policy of the country.
The party now has that power. We are
as certain to-day as we have ever been
of the great benefit that would accrue to
the country from the inauguration of this
policy. and nothing has occurred to release
us from our obligation TO secure this ad-
vantage TO our people. 1t must be ad-
mtted that no tariff measure can accord
with Democratic principles and promises
or bear genuine Democratic badge that
does not provide for free raw material
In these circumstances il may well excite
our wonder that Democrats are willing to
depart from this the most Democratic of
all tariff principles. and that the incon-
sistent absurdity Of such a proposed de-
parture should be emphasized by the sug-
gestion 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 capital
lists. How can we face the people after in
dulging in such outrageous determinations
and violations of principles? 1t is quite ap-
parent that this question of free raw ma
terial does not admit of adjustment on
any middle ground. since their subiectiOn
to any rate Of tariff taxation. great or
small is alike violative Of Democratic
principles and Democratic good faith.
''I hope that you will not consider IL in
trusive if T say something i'm relation to
another subject which can hardly fail to
be troublesome to the conference I refer
to the adjustment of tariff taxation on
sugar. Under our party platform. and in
accordance with our declared party pur-
poses sugar is a legitimate and logical
article OF revenue taxation. Unfortunate
w. however. Incidents have accompanied
certain stages OF the legislation which will
be submitted to the conference that have
aroused. in connection with this subject n
natural Democratic animosity to the meth
DDS and manipula tions OF trusts and COM
binations. I confess 10 sharing in this
feeling and vet IL seems to me we ought
n possible TO sufficiently free ourselves
from prejudice to enable us coollv to
weigh the considerations which. I'm kornu-
lating the tariff legislation, ought to guide
our treatment Of sugar as a taxable arti-
Gle.
A DELICATE SUBJECT.
"while no tenderness should be enter
tained for trusts, and while I am decidedly
opposed 10 granting them. under the guise
OF tariff taxation, any opportunity to fur
ther their peculiar methods suggest that
we ought not 10 be driven away from the
Democratic principle and policy which led
10 the taxation of sugar by the fear. quite
likely exaggerated. that in carrying out
this principle and policy we may Indirectly
and inordinately encourage a combination
OF sugar refining interests. I know that i'm
present conditions this Is n delicate subject,
and | appreciate the depth and strength
OF the feeling which it's treatment has
aroused. I do not believe we should 90
evil that good may come, but IL seems 10
me that we should not forget that our
aim is the completion OF a tariff bill and
that In taxing sugar for proper purposs
and within reasonable bounds whatever
m. h. IL n.tr -.