Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-07-26

announcement in the House to-day that
he had letter from President Oleve.
land, which the latter had permitted TO
be made public. The letter was then
sent 10 the clerks desk and read, amid
profound silence. 1t is as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAsnISGToH, d.
G., July 2, 1894. Personal. Hon. William
Z. Wilson-MY DEAR Sir The certainty
that a conference will be ordered between
pose Of adjusting differences on the sub
ject to the tariff legislation, makes it also
certain that you will be again called on to
do hard service in the cause Of tariff reform.
My public life has been so closely related
to the subject, | have so longed for its
accomplishment and | have SO often
promised its realization to my fellow
countrymen as result Of their trust and
confidence in the Democratic party, that
hone no excuse is necessary FOR my earnest
appeal to you that in this crisis you strenu-
ously Insist upon party honesty and good
faith and sturdy adherence TO Demo-
cratic principles. ! believe these are abso-
lutcly necessary conditions to the con-
tinuation of Democratic existence.
cannot rid myself of the feeling that
this conference will presen. the best if not
the only hope of true Democracy. InJi-
cations point to its action as the reliance
of those who desire the genuine fruition
of Democratic effort the fulfilment of
Democratic pledges and the redemption of
Democratic promises to the people. 10
reconcile differences in the details com.
prised within the fixed and well-deiined
line Of principle will not be the sole task
of the conference; but rs IL seems to me,
its members will also have iii charge the
question whether Democratic principles
themselves are to be saved or abandoned
There is no excuse for installing or
MISUNDERSTANDING the feeling and the
temper of the rank and file of the
Democracy. They are 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 are much
more downcast and apprehensive in their
fear that Democratic principles may be
surrendered.
In these circumstances they cannot do
otherwise than to look with confidence to
You and those who with you have
patriotically and sincerely championed
the cause of tariff reform within Demo-
cratic lines, and guided by Democratic
principles. This confidence is vastly aug
mented by the action under your leader
ship Of the House Of Representatives
upon the bill now pending.
Every true Democrat and every sincere
tariff reformer knows that this bill, in its
present form and as it will be submitted
10 the conference, falls far short of the
labored for which We have suffered de-
feat without encouragement; which in its
anticipation gave lis u rallying cry in our
day of triumph, and which in its promise
of accomplishment is so iuterwoven with
Democratic pledges and Democratic sue
cess that our abandonment of our cause
or principles upon which 1t rests means
party perfidy and party dishonor.
One topic will be submitted to the con-
ference which embodies Democratic prin-
ciple so directly that it cannot be colnpro.
missed. We have in our platforms and
every way possible declared in favor of
the free importation of raw materials. We
have again and ngain promised that this
should be accorded to our people and our
manufacturers as soon as the Democratic
party was invested with power to deter
mine 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
advantage to our people. 1t must be adj
mitted that no tariff measure can accord
with Democratic principles and promises
or bear u genuine Democratic badge that
does not provide for free raw material
III these circumstances il may well ex-
cite our wonder that Democrats are willing
to depart from this, the most Democratic
Ol hll LuuL WIZ lHGbuolalGHt
absurdity OF such proposed departure
should be emphasized by the suggestion
that the wool of the farmer he put on the
free list and the protection of tariff taxa
ton be placed around the iron ore and
coal of corporations and capitalists. How
can we face tie people after indulging in
such outrageous DETERMINATIONS and vic.
lationB of principle? 1t is quite apparent
that this question of free raw material
does not admit of adjustment OH any
middle ground, since their subsection IL
any rate Of tariff taxation, great or small
is alike violative Of Democratic principle
and Democratic good faith.
! hope that you will not consider II in
trusive If say something in relation tC
another subject which can hardly fail tC
be troublesome to the conference. refer
to the adjustment Of tariff taxation on
sugar,
ance with our declared party purposes
sugar is legitimate and logical article OF
revenue taxation. Unfortunately, how
ever, incidents have accompanied certain
stages Of the legislation, which will be
submitted to the conference, that have
aroused in connection with this subject 0
natural Democratic animosity to the
methods and manipnlatlons of trusts and
combinations. ! confess to sharing in thi;
feeling; and yet it seems to me we ought
if possible, to sufficiently free ourselve:
from preluulce TO eluDi5 US CoUlly W WelBL
the considerations which, in formulating
tariff legislation, ought to gutie our treat
ment of sugar as u taxable article.
While no tenderness should be enter
tanned for trusts, and while am decidedly
opposed to granting them, under the guis'
of tariff taxation, any opportunity Il
further their peculiar methods, | sugges
that we ought not to be driven away from
the Democratic principle and policy which
lead to the taxation of sugar, by tho fear
quite likely exaggerated, that in carrying
out this principle and policy we may IN
directly and Unfortunately encourage
combination of sugar refining interests
know that in present conditions this Is
delicate subject, and ] appreciate tn
depths and strength of the feeling which
its treatment has aroused.
do not believe we should do evil tina
good may come, but 1t seems to me tina
We should not forget that our aim is TIL
completion OF a Tariff bill and that in tax
ing sugar for proper purposes and within
reasonable bounds, whatever else may b
said OF our action, we are in no danger o
running counter to Democratic principle
With all there is at stake. there must b
IN the treatment of this article som
ground upon which We are willing b
stand, where liberation and Cancellation
may be allowed to solve the problem
without demanding the entire surrende
of fixed and conscientious convictions.
I ought not to prolong this letter. !
what have written is unwelcome be
YOU to beievein my good intentions. In tn
conclusions of conference touching tn
numerous items which will be considered
the people are not afraid that their inter
ests will be neglected. They know tina
the general result, so far as they are con
cerned, will be to place home necessarie
and comforts more easily within thei