Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-08-31
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S REA.
SONS
FOR NOT SIGNING THE TARIFF elLL.

The tariff bill is now law, the prcsi-
dent having withheld his signature. and
the 10 days provided by the cons titution
having expired at midnight Monday.
President Cleveland has written the
following letter to Representative Catch
ings of Mississippi, in which he sets forth
his view of the new tariff bill and gives
his reasons for not not signing it;
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, August p.
r. G. Cotchtngs -
My Dear Sir Since the conversation
had with you aud 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
firm than ever in the determination to
allow the bill to become Il law without
my signature.
When the formation of legislation
which it was hoped would embOdy Demo-
cratic ideas of tariff reform was lately
entered upon by the congress, nothing
was further from my anticipation than
a result which could not promptly and
enthusiast cally indorse.
1t is therefore with II feeling of the ut
most disappointment that | submit to
a denial of this privilege. do not claim
to be better than the masses of my party,
nor do | wish to avoid any responsibility
which on account of the passage of this
law | ought to assume as II 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 disappointing, is still
chargeabe to Democratic effort. But
there are provisions in this bill which
are not in line with honest tariff reform,
and it contains DISTINGUISHES and crudities
which ought not to appear in tariff laws
or laws of any kind Besides, there
were. as you and well know. incidents
accompanying the passage of the bill
through the congress which made every
sincere tariff reformer unhappy, while
influences surrounded it IN its later
stages and interfered with its final con-
structiOn which ought not to be recog-
niZed or tolerated in Democratic tariff
reform counses.
Aud yet, Notwithstanding all its vicis-i-
tudes and all the bau treatment it receiv-
ed at the hands of pretended friends, it
presents vast Improvement to existing
conditions. 1t Will certainly Tighten
many tariff burdens that now rest heavi-
~ upon the people. It is not only a
barrier against the return OF mad pro-
lection. but it furnishes vantage ground
from which must be waged further az
q, ssive operations against protected
monopoly and governmental favortism.
take my place with the rank and file
of the Democratic party, who believe
in tariff reform aud know what it is,
who refuse to accept the results embod-
led 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
Republican protection, and who have
MAJ ked the places where the deadly
blight of treason has blasted the councils
of the brave in the hour of might.
The trust and conditions-:he commu-
} nism of pelf-whose Vaccinations have
prevented Us from reaching the success
we deserved, should not be forgotten nor
forgiven. We have recovered from our
establishment at their exhibition of
power, and if then the question is forced
. upon us whether they shall submit to the
free legislative will of the peoples rep
resentatives or shall dictate the laws
which the people must obey, we will ac-
cept and settle that issue as one involv
, ing the integrity and safety Of American
, Institutions.
love the principles of true Democracy
because they are founded in patriotism
. and upon justice and fairness toward al
q interests. | am proud of my party or
! ganiZation because it is conservative
sturdy and persistent in the enforcement
of its principles. Therefore do no.
t 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 mod
D ificatiOns as will more nearly meet Dem
t ocratic hopes and aspirations.
!. cannot be mistaken as to the necessi
. ty of free raw materials as the founda
ton of logical and sensible tariff reform
e The extent to which this is recognized
Il in the legislation already secured is on
e of its encouraging and redeeming feat
- uIes; but it is veXatious to recall that
> while free coal and iron ore have beer
J. denied us, a recent letter of the secre
: tary of the treasury discloses the fac
l. that both might have been made free b.
-, the annual surrender of only abou
500, 900 of unnecessary revenue. 1t /
> true that there is common habit of un
t derestimatng the Importance of fire.
raw materials in tariff legislation, ant
o of regarding them as only related to con
= ers.
It The truth is that their influence is $
y fSr-reaching that, If diSregarded, a. com
:. plete and beneficent scheme of tariff re
form cannot be successfully inaugural
ed When we give to our manufactul
ers free raw materials we unshackl
- American enterprises and ingenuity, an
these will open the doors of foreig
markets to the disposition of our ware
It and give opportunity for continuous an
e rcmuneratlve employment of America
a labor.
With materials cheapened by thei
- freedom from tariff charges, The cost @
a their product must be corresponding
4 cheapened. Thereupon Justice and fail
y, ness to the consumer would demand tina
" the manufacturers be obliged 10 subm
e to such Il readiustment and modilicatio
e of tariff upon their finished goods Il
n would secure to the people tine benet
~, of reduced cost of their manufacture an
- shield the consumer against the eNactio
o. of inOrdinate profits.
. 1t will thus be seen that free raw IN;
terias and just and fearless regulatio