The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-08-28
AT THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
The TariffBilla Law Without
the Presidents Signature.
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER.
He Explains His Reasons for Allow
PRESIDENTS LETTER.
He Explains His Reasons for Allow
ing the Bill to Become a Law
Without His Signature.
Associated Press.

Associated Press
Washington, August 27.-The presi-
dent today sent the following letter to
Representative Catchings, of Mississip-
ri, who consented to it's publication,
on account Of it's public character and
importance:
"Since the conversation with yourself
and Mr.. Clark, of Alabama, few days
ago, in regard to my action upon the
tariff bill now before me- 1 have given
the subject full and most serious
consideration. The result is, am more
settled than ever in determination to-
allow the bill to become a law without
my signature.
when the formulation of legislation
which 1t was hoped would embody the
Democratic ideas Of tariff reform was
lately entered upon by congress, Moth
ing was further from my anticipation
than result which could not prompt
ly and enthusiastically endorse. 1t is,
therefore, with feeling of the utmost
disappointment that submit to de-
nial of this privilege. l do not claim 10
he better than the masses of my party,
nor do wish to avoid any responsible
ity which, on account of the passage
of this lay, ought to bear as mems
her of the Democratic organization;
neither will I permit myself to be sep
arated from my party to such an ex-
tent as might be implied by my veto
of the tariff legislation, which, though
disappointing, is still chargeable to
Democratic effort. Dut there are pro-
visions in this bill which are in line
with honest tariff reform, and t con-
tains inconsistencies and cruditdes
which ought not to appear in a tariff
Iow or laws of any kind. Besides there
are, as you well know, incidents accom-
panyiAg the passage of the bill which
made avery sincere reformer happy,
While the influences that surrounded 1t
in its, latter stage and interfered with
its final construction which ought not
to be recognized or located in Demo-
cratic reform councils.
"And vet, Notwithstanding all its
vices and all the bad treatment 1t re-
! ceiyed at the hands of its pretended
friends, it presents a vast Improvement
! to existing conditions. II will certainly
tighten many tariff burdens that now
rest heavily upon the people. 1t is not
only barrier against the return of bad
protection, but it furnishes a vantage
ground from which must be waged fur
ther aggressive operations against the
protected monopoly and governmental
favoritism.
IT take my place with the rank and
file of the Democratic party who be-
lieve in tariff reform, and who know
what it is, who refuse to accept the
results embued in this bill as close
of the war, who are not blinded to the
fact that the livery of Democratic re-
form has been stolen and worn in the
interest of Republican protection, and
who have marked the places where the
deadly blight Of treason has blasted
the council Of the brave in their hour
Of night.
"The trusts and combinations-the
| communism of pelf-whose machina-
tions have prevented US from reaching
the success we deserve, should not be
forgotten or forgiven. We shall recover
from our astonishment at their exhibit
ton of power, and If then the question
is forced upon us. whether they shall
submit to the free legislative will of the
peoples representatives. or shall dis
tate the laws which the people must
obey, we will accept and settle that is-
sue as one involving the integrity and
safety of American institutions.
81 love the principles Of true Democ-
racy, because they are founded upon
patriotism and upon justice and fair.
ness toward all interests. 1 am proud
of my party organization because it Is
conservatively sturdy and persistent In
the enforcement Of its principles. There.
fore, / 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 10 such notifications a.
win more nearly meet the Democratic
hopes and Inspirations.
Il cannot be mistaken as to the ne
cessity of free raw materials as th'
foundation of logical and sensible tariff
reform The extent to which this II
recognized in legislation already Sc
cured is one Of its encouraging and re
deeming features; but it is vexations e
recall that while free iron ore and FREE
coal have been denied. letter to tht
secretary of the treasury discloses the
fact that both might have been made
free by an annual surrender Of onll
about seven hundred thousand doIlarl
Of unnecessary revenue. am SURF
there Is a common habit Of underesti