The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-07-26
THE TARIFF BILL.

The conference committee OF the
house and senate, being unable to
agree upon tariff bill, voted to sub
NIT the questions to their respective
houses.
Chairman W. L. Wilson made the
report In the house. Blindfolded
because Of neuralgia, he made Wig
orous speech urging that the demo-
Gratis decline to accept the senate
compromise bill, that they remain
true to the party pledges. In con-
clusion he had read this letter from
President Cleveland;
[Personal.1
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WARRINGTON, JULY Q, 1904.
To Hon. Wm. l.. WILSON:
MY DEAR SIR-The certainty that
a conference will be ordered between
the two houses Of congress for the
purpose of adjusting differences on
the subject of tariff legislation, makes
it also certain that you will be again
called upon to do hard service in the
cause of tariff reform.
My public life has been 80 closely
related to the subject, I have so
longed for its accomplishment, and I
have so often promised It's realiza-
ton to my fellow countrymen as a
result of their trust and confidence
in the democratic party, ! hope no
excuse is necessary for my earnest
appeal to you that in this crisis you
strenuously insist upon parry hon
esty and good faith and a sturdy ad-
herence to democratic principles. 1
believe these are absolutely neces-
ary conditions to the continuation Of
democratic existence.
cannot rid myself Of the feeling
that this conference will present the
best, II not the only hope of true
democracy. Indications point to its
action as the reliance of those who
desire the genuine fruition of demo-
cratic effort. the fulfillment of dem
ocratic pledges and the redemption
OF democratic promises to the people.
To reconcile differences in the
details comprised in the well defined
lines of principle, will not be the sole
task of the conference, but as 1t
seems to me, its members will also
have in charge the question whether
democratic principles themselves are
to be saved or abandoned.
There is no excuse for mistaking
or misapprehending the feeling and
the temper of the rank and file of the
democracy. They are downcast
under the assertions that their party
fails in ability to manage the govern
ment 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 principle may
be surrendered.
In these circumstances they can
not do otherwise than to look with
confidence to you and those who with
you have patIiotically and sincerely
championed the cause Of tariff reform
within democratic lines and guided
by democratic principles. This con
fidence is vastly augmented by the
action under your leadership of the
house of representatives upon the
bill now pending.
Every true democrat and every
sincere tariff reformer knows thai
this bill in its present form and as il
will be submitted to the conference
falls far short Of the consummatioI
for which we have long labored, fol
which we have suffered defea
without encouragement; which IL
its anticipation gave us rallyini
cry in our day Of triumph and whicl
in its promise of accomplishment j
SO interviewer with democrats
pledges and democratic successe
that our abandonment of the caus
or the principles upon which 1t rest
means. party perfdy and party dis
honor.
One topic will be submitted TO tn
conference which embodies demo
cratic principle 30 directly that
cannot be compromised. We hav
In our platforms and in every wa
possible declared In favor OF the FIRE
importation OF raw materials. w
have again and again promised tina
this should be accorded to ou
manufacturers as soon as the demo
cratic party was invested with tn
power TO determine the tariff polio
the country. The party has no.
that power. We are as certain to
day as we have ever been of tn
great benefits that would accrue
the country from the Inauguration
this policy and nothing has occurre
To release na from our obligation
secure this advantage to our people
1t must be admitted that no tari
measure can accord with democrat
principles and promises or bear
genuine democratic badge that do'
not provide for tree raw material.
In these circumstances 1t may we
excite our wonder that democra
are willing to depart from this, Il
most democratic OF all tariff prime