The record-union., 1894-08-28

tonight the Mckinley bill, which has
been in operation for the past four years,
died, and the new Democratic tariff bill
passed by the Fifty-third Congress be-
came law without the signature Of the
President. The constitutional ten days
allowed the President to consider the bill
expired then.
WHY THE BILL WAS NOT SIGNED.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-The President
to-day sent the following letter to Repre-
sentative Catchings of Mississippi, who
consented to its publication on account OF
Ats public character and importance:
"ExECU1IvE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Aug. II, 1894.
''H0n. 4. CdtchiRgs-MY DEAR SIR:
Since the conversation L had with you
and Mr.. Clark of Alabama a few days
ago in regard to my action upon the tariff
bIll now before me, l have given the sub
ject full and most serious consideration.
The result is that l am more settled than
ever in my determination that the bill
shall become a law without my signature.
When the formulation of legislation 10y
which it was hoped would embOdy
Democratic ideas OF tariff reform was
lately entered upon by Congress, nothing
was further from lay anticipation than
result " hich l could not promptly and
enthusiastically indorse. 1t is, there
lore, with feeling OF utmost dlSappOlnt-
ment that l submit TO a denial OF this
privilege.
II do not claim to be better than the
mass of my party, nor do l wish TO avoid
any responsibility, which, on account Of
the passage OF this law, ought TO bear rs
4 member of the Democratic organiza-
lion. Neither viii L permit myself to be
separated from my party to such an eX-
tent as might be implied by my veto Of
the tariff legislation which, though diSap-
pointing, is still chargeable To Demo
cratic effort. But there are provisions in
this bill which are i'll line with honest
tariff reform, and 1t contains inconSist-
encies and crudIties which ought not TO
appear III tariff law, or laws OF any kind.
besides, there were, as you well know.
Incidents accompanying the passage of
the bill which made many a reformer
unhappy, while influences surrounded
II in its later stages and intertered with
Its final construction, which ought not
10 be recognized or tolerated in Demo-
cratic tariff reform.
Notwithstanding all its vices and all
the bad treatment 1t received at the
hands OF pretended friends, it presents
vast improvement to existing conditions.
1t will certainly tighten many tariff bur-
dens which now rest neaViIy upon the
EOllDlldIlO0S,
the communism of pelt-whoSe machina-
lions have prevented us from reaching
the success we deserve-should not be
forgotten or forgiven. We shall recover
from our establishment at their eXhibi-
ton OF power, and if then the question
is forced upon us whether they shall sub
init TO the free legislative will of the peo-
PIES representatives, or shall dictate the
laws which the people must obey, we
nc or1
yolving the integrity and safety of Amer
Jean institutions.
Il love tho principles of true Democ-
Tacy because they are founded on patriot
ism and upon justice and fairness toward
ali interests. L am proud of my party or
ganization. because it is conservatively
sturdy and persistent in the enforcement
Of its principles. Therefore l do not de-
spair of the efforts made by the House of
Representative to supplement the bill
already passed by further legislation, and
10 have engraIted upon it such moditica-
fions as VIII more nearly meet Demo-
cratic hopes and inspirations.
81 cannot be mistaken as to the neces-
sity of free raw materials as the founda-
fion OF the logical and sensible tariff re-
form. The extent 10 which this is recOg-
nized in the legislation already secured
Is one OF its encouraging aud redeeming
features; but it is veXatious to recall that
while free coal and iron ore have been
denied, letter to the Secretary of the
Treasury discioses the fact that both
might have been made free by the annual
surrender of only about 100000 OF un-
necessary revenue.
Il am sure there is a common habit of
understanding the importance of free
raw materials in tariff legislation, and of
regarding them as only related to con-
cessions TO be made to our manufacturers.
Il, <
reaching that II dlsregarded a complete
and beBe6cent scheme OF tariff reform
cannot be successfully inaugurated.
When we give to our manufacturers free
raw materials, We unshackle American
enterprise and ingenuity, and these Will
ODen the doors OF foreign markets 10 the
reception Of our wares, and give oppor-
tuniIy fer the continuous and remunera-
tive employment Of American labor.
With materials cheapened by their free
dom from tariff taxation, the product
must be corTespondlngly cheapened.
rhereupon Justice and fairness to the
consumer would demand that the manu-
facIurers be obliged to submit to such
g REIMBURSEMENT and modification OF the
tariff upon their finished goods as would
securelo the people the benefit of the re-
duced cost OF their manufacture, and
shield the consumer against the exactions
of inordinate profits.
at VIII be thus seen that free raw ma
teriaIs and just and fearless regulation
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 a cheaper living.
The millions of our countrymen VINO
have fought brayely and well for tariff
reform should be exhorted to continue
the struggle, boldly challenging TO open
warfare aud constantly guarding against
treachery and half-heartedness in their
camp.
Tariff reform will not be settled until
It is honestly and fairly settled in the in
terest and 10 the benefit of a pationt and
long suffering people. Yours, very
truly, GROVER CLEVELAND"
INSTRUCTIONS TO CUSTOMS OFFICERS.
Secretary Carlisle has decided and will
instruct Customs collectors that goods
placed in bonded warehouses under the
Mckinley law, and made free OF duty
under the new Tariff Act, are entitled 10
free entry. and need not be exported and
reimported in order to get the benefits of
The new Act. This is of special interest
10 the wool trade, as a large amount of
wool is stored now in the bonded ware
houses. In this, as all other mooted
questions. the Secretary viii follow the
intent of Congress, and let the aggrleved
parties appeal 10 the courts II they care
TO contest on technical grounds. lie un-
dou btedly viii hold diamonds dutiabie,
Notwithstanding the erroneous punctua-
ton of the free list.