The National tribune., 1894-08-30
DOES NOT RETRACT
The President Holds to His Position
on the Tariff.

The President, in letter to Representative
Catchings, of Mississippi. has the following to
say in regard to the German bill, which he has
refused to indorse with his signature:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, /
WASHINGTON, Aug. 81, 1894.
Hon. T. c. CATCHINGs.
NY DEAR SIR: Since the conversation I had
with You and Mr. Clarke, of Alabama, few
days ago in regard to my action on 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 determine
ton to allow the bill to become a law without
my signature
When the formation of legislation which
it was hoped would embody Democratic ideas
of tariff reform was lately entered upon by the
Congress, nothing was further from my antici-
patton than a result which could not promptly
and enthusiastically indorse.
1t is. therefore, with feeling of the utmost
disappointment that submit TO denial of this
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, / ought to bear member of the
Democratic organization. Neither will | per-
NIT myself to be separated from my party 10
such extent as might be implied by my veto
of tariff legislation, which, though disappoint-
=, Z.
there provisions III this bill which are not
in line with honest tariff reform, and it con-
taus inconsistencies and crudit ties which ought
not to appear in tariff laws or laws of any kind.
Besides, there were, you and | well know,
incidents accompanying the passage of the bill
through the Congress which made every sim
cere tariff reformer unhappy, while influences
surrounded it in its latter stages and interfered
with its final construction, which ought not to
be recognized or tolerated in Democratic tariff
reform counsels
And yet, notwithstanding all its vcissitudes
and all the bad treatment it received at the
hands of pretended friends, it presents "A vast
Improvement to existing conditions. 1t will
certainly tighten many tariff burdens that now
rest heavily upon the people. 1t is not only
barrier against the return of mad protection,
but it furnishes a vantage ground from which
must be waged further aggressive operations
against protected monopoly and governmental
favortism.
/ 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 &C
cept the results embodied in this bill as 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 service of Re.
publican 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 from reaching the success we
deserved. should not be forgotten or forgiven.
We shall recover from our establishment at
their exhibition of power, and if then the ques-
ton is forced upon US whether they shall sub
NIT to the free legislative will of the peoples
representatives, or shall dictate the laws which
the people must obey, we will accept and settle
that issue as one involving the integrity and
safety of American institutions.
love the principles of true Democracy be-
cause they are founded in patriotism and upon
justice and fairness toward all interests. ] am
proud of my party organization because il is
conservatively sturdy and persistent in the en-
forcement Of its principles. Therefore, / do
not despair of the efforts made by the House of
Representatives to supplement- the bill already
passed by further legislation, and to have en-
grated upon it such notifications az will more
nearly meet Democratic hopes and aspirations.
L cannot be mistaken as to the necessity of
free raw materials as the foundation of logical
and sensible tariff reform. The extent to which
this is recognized in the legislation already Sc
cured 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,
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 a common habit of IN
der-estimating the Importance of free raw ma.
terials in tariff legislation, and of regarding
them as only related TO concessions to be made
to our manufacturers. The truth is their in
fiuence is so far reaching that, if disregarded,
complete aud benefccnt scheme of tariff reform
cannot be successfully inaugurated.
When We give 10 our manufacturers free raw
materials We uDshackle American enterprises
and ingenuity, and these will open the doors of
foreign markets to the reception of our wares,
and give opportunity for the continuous and
remuneratiye employment of 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 10 the consumer would
demand that the manufacturers be obliged to
submit 10 such a readjustment and obligation
of the tariff upon their finished goods as would
secure to the people the benefit Of the reduced
cost of their manufacture. and shield the con-
sumner against the exaetion of nordinatc profits
1t will thus be seen that free raw materials
| and just and fearless regulation and reduction
! of the tariff to meet the changed conditions
| would carry 10 every humble home in the land
the blessings of increased comfort and cheaper
| living.
The millions of our countrymen who have
| fought bravely and well for tariff reform, should
| be exhorted 10 continue the struggle, boldly
| challenging TO open warfare and constantly
| guarding against treachery and half-hearted-
ness in their camp.
Tariff reform will not be settled until it is
honestly aud fairly settled in the interest and
| to the benefit of patient and long-suff ering
people.
Yours, very truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.
|