Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-09-07
THE REsIDENTs LETTER.

The President sent the following letter to
Representative Ca.chings, Of Mississippi, who
consented to its publication in view OF its
public character and importance:
Erecutios Mansion. Washington, d. C.,
Adq. 27. 1S94.-H0n. r. c. CdtchingS My
Dear Sir: Since the conversation 1 had with
you and Mr.. Clark, Of Alabama, few days
ago in regard to my action upon the tariff
bill now before me have given the subject
further and most serious consideration. The
result is, am more settled than ever in the
determination to allow the bill TO become
law without my signature. When the for
mutation OF legislation which it was hoped
would embody democratic ideas OF tariff re-
form was lately entered upon by the CoL-
gress nothing was further from my anticipa-
tion than result which could not promptly
and enthusiastically indorse. 1t is, therefore.
with feeling Of the utmost disappointment
that Isubmt to a denial OF the privilege.
/ do not claim to be better than the masses
OF my party, nor do wish to avoid any re-
sponsibility which on account Of the passage
OF this law l ought to bear as member Of
the democratic organization. Neither will /
permit myself 10 be separated from my party
to such an extent as might be implied by my
veto OF tariff legislation, which, though dis
appointing, is still chargeabIe to democratic
effort. But there are provisions in this bill
which are not in line with honest tariff re-
form, and It contains inconsistencies and
crudities which ought not to appear in tariff
laws Of any kind. Besides there were, as you
and we'll know, incidents accompanying
the passage Of the bill through the Congress
which made every sincere tariff-reformer un-
happy, while influences surrounded it in its
latter stages and interfered with its final con-
struction which ought not to be recognized
or tolerated in democratic tariff-reform coun-
sells.
And yet, notwithstanding ali its vicissitudes
and all the bad treatment it received ut the
hands of pretended friends. it presents vast
Improvement to existing condition. 1t will
certainly tighten many tariff burdens that
now rest heavily upon the people. 1t is not
only barrier against the return OF mad pro-
lection, but it furnishes a vantage ground
from which must be waged further aggressive
operations against protected monopoly and
governmental favoritism.
take my place with the rank and 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 az
the close Of the war; who are not blinded to
the fact that the livery of Democratic tariff
reform has been stolen and worn in the SER
vice OF Republican protection, and who have
marked the places where the deadly blight
of treason has blasted the counsels Of the
brave in their hour OF might.
The trusts and combinations-the COM
munism Of pelf-whose Vaccinations have
prevented US frCH reaching the success we
deserved, should not be forgotten or lorgiy-
en-. We shall recover from our astonish-
ment at their exhibition OF power, andifthen
the question is forced upon us whether
they shall submit to the free legislative viii
OF the peoples representatives or shall die
tate the laws which the people must obey,
we will accept and settle that issue as one
involving the integrity and safety of Amer
ioan institutions.
| love the principles Of true Democracy be-
cause they are founded on patriotism and
upon justice and fairness toward all Interests.
lam proud OF my party organization because
it is conservatively sturdy and persistent in
the enforcement Of its principles Therefore
l do not despair of the efforts made by the
House of Representatives to supplement the
bill already passed by further legislation and
TO have engrafted upon it such notifications
as will more nearly meet Democratic hopes
AMI aspirations.
| cannot be mistaken as 10 the necessity OF
free raw material as the foundation Of logical
AID sensible tariff reform. The extent to
which this is recognized in the legislation
already secured is one of its encouraging
and redeeming features, but it il vexatious
to recall that while free coal and iron ore
have been denied us, recent letter Of the
Secretary of the Treasury discloses the fact
that both might have been made free by the
annual surrender Of only about 100000 OF
unnecessary revenue.
am sure that there is common habit Of
Understanding the importance of FREQ raw
materials in tariff legislation, and Of regard
ing them as only related to concessions to be
made to our manufacturers. The truth is,
their influence is 50 far-reaching that if dis
regarded u complete and beneacient scheme
OF tariff reform cannot be successfully in
auguratcd.
When we give to our manufacturers rec
raw materials we unshackle American enl~-'
prise and ingenuity, and these will open the
doors of foreign markets to the reception OF
our wares and gives opportunity for the con-
tinuous and remunerative employment ol
American labor.
With materials cheapened by their freedom
from tariff charges, the cost Of their product
must be correspondingly cheapened. There
upon justice and fairness to the consumer
would demand that the manufacturers be
obliged to submit 10 such readjUstment
and modification of the tariff upon theil
finished goods as would secure to the people
the benefit Of the reduced cost OF their manu-