The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-08
CLEVELAND TO HISPARTY
THE HOUSE HEARS A LETTER
FROM THE PRESIDENT.

tional turn in the House OF Representatives,
when the President came ont in Letter &c
Chairman Wilson with strong In
dorsement OF the principles followed
out in the House bill. The presl.
dents action is practically Witnout
nrecedent and his inferential attack on the
policy pursued in the Senate caused the
greatest excitement. In the House his utter
apces Tere received with enthusiasm by the
Democratic majority, and the reading OF the
letter was interrupted frequently with ap-
plause.
and there was not a vacant chair on tne
floor, so intense was the interest IN the pat
tie Tor low tariff and free raw materials.
Chairman Wilson showed the signs OF his
recent severe illnase. He looked thin and
nervous About his face was large white
bandage, which he was compelled to wear,
owing to severe attack of neuralgia.
The battle began the instant the journal
had been read. When Mr.. Wilson arose
there was a sudden and almost pa'nlu,
silence. He first handed in the conterees
report, and then went on to make an ex-
PLANTATION Of the differences between tue
Senate and House.
MIR. Wilson said: "Mr. Speaker, am in
structed by the majority OF the conferees on
the part OF the House on the Tariff Dill 10
make this report to the House:
GThe Conference Committee on the OIL
n. R.. 1854. after final, full and free confer
ence, tailed to agree. The Senate conferees
insist on their amendments to said bill and
House conferees insist upon their Disagree
mem to the Senate amendments.
s(SigneD w. L. Wilson. Benton NC
Miiu, H. e.. Turner, A. B. Montgomery,
Con'~rees on the part OF the House"
Mr.. Wilson then handed in the letter,
which hesaid had been addressed to him by
tho President, with permission to make
public.
The text of the letter was as folloTs'
(Personal)
Executive MANSION,
WASHINGTON, July 2, 1884.
To Hon. William L. Wilson
My DEAR S1R-The certainty that confer
ence will be ordered between the two houses
of Congress for the purpose of adjusting
differences on the subject Of tariff legisla-
ton makesit also certain that yoI Will oe
again called upon t. do hard s~rvice in the
cause of tariff rsfurm. NY pu 'lic life has
been so closely related to the su ,iect. nave
y 30 longed forits mplishmentandl haTeso
often promised Its realization to my 1ellow-
colntrymen as result oftheirtrust and con-
fdence in the Democratic party that hope
no excuse Is necessary for my earnest ap-
peal to you that IN this crisis YOU strenuously
Insist upon purity honesty and good faith and
a slurty adherence to Democratic principles.
believe these are absolutely necessary con"
ditions 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 raliance OF those
who desire the genuine fruition OF Demo-
cratic effort, the fulfllment OF Democratic
pledges and the redemption Of Democratic
promises to the people. To reconcile diher-
ences in the details comprised within the
fixed and well-dehned lines OF principle will
not be the sole task Of the conference, out.
as it seems to me, its members Will also nave
In charge the question whether Democratic
principles themselves are to be saved os
abandoned.
There Is no excuse for mistaking or mis-.
apprehending the feeling and the temper OF
the rank and file OF the Democracy. They
are downcast under the assertion that their
party ails in ability to manage the Govern
mept and they are apprahensive that Efforts
to bring abour tariff reform may fail {; but
they are much more downcast and appre-
hen Sivs in their fear that D smocratic princi-
pie may be surrendered. In these circum-
look with confidence to you and those who,
with YOU, have patrlotically and sincerely
championed the cause Of tariff reform within
Democratic lines and Gaided by Democratic
principles. This confidence is vastly aug
mentsd by the action un Ter your
leadership of the House o. Repre-
sentatives upon the bill now peno'
In. Every true Democrat AMI every sim
cere tariff retormer knows that this bill, in
its present iorm and rs 1t will be sn omitted
TO tho conference. falls far short OF the con-
summation for which We have long lahored,
for which We have suffered defeat without
'6iscolrayement, which in its anticipation
Rare us a ral,yin2 cry In our day ottriumph
and which in its promise ot accomplishment
is 50 interviewer With Democratic pledges
AMI Democratic succ ess that our apahnon-
ment OF the cause or the principles upon
which it rests means party perddy and party
dishouor.
Oae topic will be submitted to the con-
ference which embodles Democratic princi.
ple 20 directly that it cannot be conpro-
missed. We have in our platforms and In
every way possible declared in favor OF the
free importation OF raw materials. We nave
again and agaiH promised that tnls snoulo
be accorded TO our people ami our manu1ac'
turers as soon as the Democratic party
was invested with the power to determine
the tariff policy OF the country.
The party now has that power. We are as
certain to-day rs We have ever been OF the
great benefit that would accrue to the coun-
try from the inauguration ofthis policy, and
nothing has occurred to release US from our
OBLIGATION to secure this advantage to our
people. It must be admitted that no tariff
measure can accord with Democratic prin-
cipIes and promises, or bear genutns DEM
ocratic badge, that does not provide Tor iree
raw materials. :,
In these circumstances it may we'll excite
our wonder that Democrats are willing TO
depart from this, the most Dsmoeratic OF all
tariff principles, and that the inconsistent
absuriity Of such q proposed departure
should be emphasized by the suggestion tnat
the wool of the farmer be put on the Tree list
and fhe protection OF tariff taxation be
placsd around the iron ore and coal OF cor
o. rations and capitalists. How can we lace
the people affer indulging in SUCH outrage
Gus Determinations and violations OF prin-
ciple2 It Is Quite apparent that the question
of free raw material does not admit OF ao-
iustmpnt on any middle grounds since their
subiection to any rate eottariftaxation. great
or small, Is alike violativs Of Democratic
principle and Democratic good faith
hope that you will not consider 1t tntru-
siye il I say something in relation to an
other subject which can hardly fall to De
troublesome to the conference. refer 10
the adjustment OF tariff taxation on sugar.
Under our party platform, andin accordance
with our declared party purposes, sugar Is
a legitimate and logical article OF revshue
taxation. Unfortunately, however, incidents
have accompanied certain stages OF the
Legislation which will be submitted 70 tne
conference that have aroused in connection
with this subject O natural Democratic
animosity to the methods and manipulations
or trusts and combinations L cUnfess to