The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-20
CLEVELANDON THE TARIFF.
Text Of the Presidents EpiStle TO
Chairman Wilson.

cast by Apprehension.
Washington, July 19-The following is
President Cleveland's letter to Represen-
tative Wilson on the tariff situation,
which Mr. Wilson read as part of his
remarks in the House this afternoon;
Executive Mansion Washington. d. c.,
July II, 1891 (Personal) l)-Hon William l.
Wilson; My Dear Sir-1he certainty that a
conference will be ordered between the two
houses OF congress, for the purpose of adjust
ing the differences on the subject OF tarln
legislation makes it also certain that you
viii be again called on TO do hard service in
the cause of tariff reform.
Ny public life has been so closely related to
the subject, have so longed for its accom-
plishment, and have so often promised its
realization to my fellow countrymen as re-
suit OF this trust and confidence in the Demo
cratic party, that hope no excuse is neces-
ss%SS for my earnest appeal to you that in this
honesty and good faith and a sturdy ad-
herence to democratic principles. L believe
these absolutely necessary conditions to the
continuation Of democratic existence.
cannot rid myself of the feeling that this
conference viii present the best If not the
only hope Of true democracy. Indications
point TO It's action as the reliance of those who
desire the genuine fruition of democratic
effort, the fulhllment of democratic pledges
and the redemption OF democratic promises to
the people. To reconcile differences in the
defined lines of principle will not be the sole
task of the conference, but, as it seems to me,
its members will also have in charge the ques-
ton whether democratic principles them-
selves are to be saved or abandoned.
THE PARTY DowNCAsT.
There is no excuse for mistaking or misap-
pretending the feeling and the temper OF the
rank and file of the democracy. they are
downeast under the assertion that their party
fails In ability TO manage the government,
and they are apprehensive 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 patriot
ically and sincerely championed the cause OF
tariff reform within democratic lines and
guided by democratic principles. This conf
dence is vastly suggested by the action under
your leadership OF the House OF Representa-
tives upon the bill now pending.
Every true democrat and every sincere tar
i'll reformer knows that this bill, in its pres
ent form and as II will be submitted to the
conference, falls far short OF the consumma-
tion for which we have long labored, for
which we nave suffered defeat without dis
couragement, which in Its anticipation gave
US a rallying cry in our day Of triumph, and
which in its promise OF accomplishment is so
interviewer with democratic pledges and
democratic success that our abandonment Of
the cause, or the principles upon which 1t
honor.
FREE RAW MATERIALS.
One topic will be submitted to the confer
ence which embodies democratic principle so
directly that 1t cannot be compromised We
have In our platform and in every way posi-
Bile declared in favor of the free importation
of raw materials. We have again and again
promised that this should be accorded to our
people and our manufacturers as soon as the
Democratic party was invested with the
power TO determine the tariff policy of the
country. The party has now 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 in
auguration Of this policy, and nothing has oc-
Cured to release US from our obligation TO Sc
cure this advantage to our people. 1t must
be admitted that no tariff measure can accord
with democratic principles and promises. or
bear a genuine democratic oadge, that does
not provide for free raw material. In the cir
cumstances II may well excite our wonder that
democrats are willing to depart from this
the most democratic OF all tariff principles
and that the inconsistent absurditY of such
proposed departure should be emphasized by
the suggestion that the wool Of the farmer be
put on the free list and the protection OF
tariff taxation be placed around the iron ore
and coal of corporations and capitalists HOW
can we face the people after indulging in such
outrageous Determinations and violations OF
principle:
1t is apparent that this question Of free raw
material does not admit of adjustment on any
middle ground, since their sublection to any
rate OF tariff taxation great or small, is alike
violative Of democratic principle and demo-
cratic good faith.
THE TARIFF ON SUGAR.
Ihope that you will not consider It intru-
sive If l say something in relation to another
subject, which can hardly fail to be trouble
some 10 the conference. ! refer to the ad-
justment of tariff taxation on sugar.
Under our party platform, and in accord
ance with our declared party purposes, sugar
is legitimate and logical article Of revenue
taxation. Unfortunately, however, incidents
have accompanied certain stages OF the legfs-
lation which will be submitted TO the con
ference that have aroused, in connection
viii; with this his, o.;,n subject natural demo;
manipulations of trusts and combina-
tions. l confess to sharing in this feeling;
and yet 1t seems to me we ought. II possible
to sufficiently free ourselves from prejudice
to enable US coolly to weigh the considera-
tions which in formulating tartn legislation
ought TO guide our treatment Of sugar as u tax
able article. While no tenderness should be
entert aimed for trusts, and while l am de-
cidedly opposed TO granting them under the
guise of tariff taxation any opportunity TO
further their pecultar methods, suggest that
we ought not TO be driven away from the
democratic principles and policy which lead
to the taxation OF sugar, by the fear
quite likely exaggerated, that In carrying out
this principle and policy we NAV iudirectlv
and inordinately encourage a combination OF
the sugar refining interests. / know that in
the present conditions this is delicate sub
1ect ana appreciate Jhe ueptn and strength
and feeling which its treatment has aroused,
do not believe we should do evil
that good may come, but IL seems to
me that we should not forget that
our aim is the completion OF tariff
bill and that, in taxing sugar for proper pur-
poses. and within reasona ole bounds what
ever else may be said OF our action we are in
no danger of running counter 10 democratic
With all there is at stake, there
must be in the treatment of this article some
ground upon which we are all willing to
stand, where Iteration and Cancellation NAV
be allowed to solve the problem. without de
the entire surrender OF fixed and
conscientious convictions.
l ought not to prolong this letter. II what
have written is unwelcome, / beg you to be-
leve In my good intentions
COMPROMISES A NECESSITY.
In the conclusions Of the conference touch
ing the numerous items which will be con
stdered the people are not afraid that their
interests will be neglected. They know that \
the general result, so far as they are con
cerned will be to place home necessaries
and comforts easier wi hin their reach
and 90 insure better and surer compensation
to those who toll
We al know that a tarin covering all the
varied interests and conditions OF country
as vast as ours must OF necessity be largely
tho result of honorable adjustment ana hon
oraule com promise. j expect very few Of us
can say. when our measure Is perfected. that
Am lts feutures are entirely aH we would pre-
fer IOu know how much deprecated the
incorporation into the proposed bin Of the
income tax feature. 10 matters of
tbfs kind. however, which do not
violate liked ana recognized democratic