Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-09-05
GROVER ENTERS His PROTEST.
SCORES THE SENATE TARIFF BILL

GROVER ENTERS HIS PROTEST..
SCORES THE SENATE TARIFF BILL.
Says That the Trusts Had Entirely Too
Much Influence in Shaping Certain
Schedules-Urges That the Work
of Tariff Reform Go On.
WASHINGTON, August 27.-President
Cleveland has written the following
letter to Representative Catchings, OF
Mississippi, in which he sets forth his
views of the new tariff law, and gives
his reasons for not approving the bill
"EXECUTIvE MANSION, WASHING
TON, D. c., August 81, 1894.
Hon. 7. c. Catchings:
My Dear Sir Since the converse
ton l had with you and Mr.. Clark, OF
Alabama, few days ago, in regard to
my action on the tariff bill now before
me, l have given the subject further
and most serious consideration. The
result is, am more settled than ever in
the determination to allow the bill to
become law without my signature.
"When the formulation 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 anticipa
ton than result which l could not
promptly and enthusiastically endorse.
1t is, therefore, with a feeling of the
utmost disappointment that | submit
to denial of this privilege.
SHARES THE RESPONSIBILITY.
81 do not claim to be better than the
masses of my party. nor do | wish to
avoid any responsibility which, on &C.
count of the passage of this law.
ought to bear as 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 legisla-
ton, which though disappointing is
still chargeable to democratic efforts.
But there are provisions in this bill
which are not in line with honest tar
iff reform, and it contains inconsis-
tencies and crudities which ought not
to appear in tariff laws or laws of any
kind. Besides, there were, as you and
| we'll know, incidents accompanying
the passage of the bill through the
Congress, which made every sincere
tariff reformer unhappy, while there
were influences surrounding it in its
latter end which interfered with its
final construction and which ought
not to be recognized or tolerated in
democratic tariff reform councils. And
yet, Notwithstanding all it's vicissitudes
and all the hard treatment it received
at the hands Of pretended friends it
presents vast improvement to exist
ing 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 gov
ernmental favoritism.
WILL RENEW THE FIGHT.
81 take my place with the rank and
file of my party who believe in tariff
reform, and who know what it is; who
refuse to accept 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
republican protection, and who have
marked the places where the deadly
blight of treason has blasted the coun
sells of the brave in their hour of might.
The trusts and combinations the
communism of pelf-whose machina-
tions have prevented us from reaching
the success we deserved-should not
be forgotten. We shall recover from
our establishment at their exhibition
OF power, and if, then, the question is
forced upon us whether they shall sub
NIT to the free legislative will of the
peoples representatives or shall die
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 in pa
triotism and upon justice and fairness
toward all interests. | am proud of
my party organization because it is
conservatively sturdy and persistent
in the enforcement of its principles
Therefore do not despair of the eff
forts made by the house of representa-
tives to supplement- the bill already
passed by further legislation, and to
have engrafted upon it such modifica-
lions as will more nearly meet demo
cratic hopes and aspirations.
FREE RAW MATERIALS.
II cannot be mistaken as to the
necessity of free raw materials as the
of logical and sensible tar
iff reform. The extent to which this is
recognized in the legislation already
secured is one of it's encouraging and
features, but it is vexatious
to recall that, while free coal and iron
ore have been denied us, recent let
ter of the secretary of the treasury dis
closes the fact that both might have
been made free by the annual surren.
der of only about 800, 900 of unneces-
sary revenue. | am sure that there is
a common habit of Understanding
the Importance of free raw materials
in tariff legislation, and of regarding
them as only related to concessions to
be made to our manufacturers. The
truth is, their influence is so far-reach
ing, that, if disregarded, a complete
and benefcent scheme of tariff reform
cannot be successfully inaugurated. |
When we give to our manufacturer
free raw materials, we unshackle |
American enterprises and ingenuities,
and these will open the doors of for
eign markets to the reception of our
wares and give opportunity for the
continuous and remunerative employ
menu Oh AIu6rlCdu ldUOT. WIFI IudCo- |
rails cheapened by their freedom from
tariff charges, the cost of their product
must be correspondingly cheapened.
Thereupon justice and fairness to the
consumer would demand that the
be obliged to submit to
such a readjustment and modification
Of the tariff upon their finished goods
as would secure to the people the bene
it of the reduced cost OF their manu-
lectures, and shield the consumer
against the exaction of inordinate /
profits
CHEAPER LIVING; MORE COMFORT.
at will thus be seen that free raw
materials and a just and fearless regula-
lion and reduction of the tariff to meet
the changed conditions would carry to
every humble home in the land the
blessings of increased comfort and |
cheaper living. The. millions of our
who have fought bravely !
and well for tariff reform, should be
exhorted to continue the struggle,
boldly challenging to open warfare
and constantly guarding against
5reachery and half heartedness in their
camp. Tariff reform will not be set
lied until it is honestly and fairly set
lied in the interest and to the benefit !!