Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-09-07
Reasons Why He Refused 10 Sign tbs
Tariff Bill.
he IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS PARTY
The Bill Mas Disappointing, Bot Contains
Provisions Which are In Line
With Honest Reform.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, d.
c., Aug. 25.-Hon. 7. G. Catchings:
My Dear ir:-Since the conversation l
had with you and Mr.. Clark, OF Ala
bama, a few days ago III regard to my &C.
ton upon the tariff bill now before me,
have given the subject full and most Sc
rious consideration. The result is that |
am more settled than ever in the de-
termination 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 entered upon 10y con-
gress, nothing was further from my an
ticIpation than the result which | could
not promptly and enthusiastically en-
dorse.
SIT is therefore with o feeling al the
utmost disappointment that | submit to
the denial of this privilege. do not
claim to be better than the masses of my
party, nor do ] wish to avoid any re-
sponsibility, which on account of the
paesage OF this law | ought to bear as
member of democratic organization,
neither will | permit myself to be sep
arated from my party to such an extent
as might be implied by my veto OF tariff
legislation, which, though disappointing,
is still chargeable to democratic efforts,
but there are provisions in this bill
which are in line with honest tariff re-
form and it contains inconsistencies and
crudties which ought not to appear in
tariff law or laws Of any kind.
while influences surrounded it in its
latter stages and interfered with its final
construction, which ought not to be rec
ognized or located in democratic tariff
reform councils, yet, Notwithstanding all
its vices aDd all the bad treatment it re-
ceived at the hands Of pretending friends,
it presents q vast improvement to the
existing conditions. 1t will certainly
tighten many tariff burdens that now
reet heavily upon the people. 1t is not
only barrier against the return of the
bad policy of protection, but it furnishes
better grounds from which must be
waged further aggressive operations
against the protected monopoles and
governmental fsyorites.
II take my place with the rank and
file OF the democratic party who believe
in tariff reform, and who know what it
is, who refuse to accept the results en-
bodied in this bill at the close OF the war,
who are not blind to the fact that the
| livery of democratic tariff reform has
] pccii StOltu anu WOIu III INC INTEREST OF
republican protection, and who have
marked the places whore the deadly
flight of treason has misled the coun-
sellers of bravery in their hour of might
| The trusts and combinations whose
Vaccinations have prevented US from
reaching the success We should, they
should not be forgotten and forgiven
We shall recover from cur establishment
at their exhaust Of power and if then the
question is forced upon us whether they
shall submit to the Legislative will of the
peoples representatives or shall dictate
the laws which the people must obey,
we will accept and settle that issue as
one involving the integrity and safety Of
American institutions.
81 love the principles of true democ-
racy because they are founded on patri-
otism aud upon justice and fairness to-
ward all interests. | am proud OF my
party organization because it is conserve
tive, sturdy and persietentin the enforce
ment of it's principles. Therefore | DO
not despair of the efforts made by the
house of representatives to supplement
the bill already passed by further legisla.
ton and TO have engrafted upon it such
notifications as will nearly reach demo.
cratic hope and inepiratiore. | cannot
be mistaken as to the necessity of free
raw materials rs the founca ion Of logical
and sensible tariff reform. The extent
to which this is recognized in legislation
already secured is one OF its encouraging
and redeeming features, but it is vexa-
tious to recall that while free coal and
iron ore have been denied, the letter OF
the secretary of the treasury dis.
closes the fact that both might have
10
surrender of only about 500 600 of I'm.
necessary revenue. am sure that there
is q common habit OF underestim atipp
the Importance Of free raw materials in
tariff legislation and o! regarding them as
only related to the concessions to he
made to American manufacturers, The
truth is that this influence is SO fs-
reaching that If disregarded the r, -,
plete and beneficial seherne O, tarie, 10
form can't be successfully inuurr ratad
when we give to our na,'nfactnre,,
Tree raw materials we uusbsck ,Ameri.
can enterprise and manufacturers. ann
these. will open the doors Of foreign
markets to the reception of our wares
ami give opportunity for the continuous
and remuneratiye employment of Aneri
can labor, which is materially cheapened
by their freedom from tariff charges
The cost OF their production must be cor
respondingly chespened. Thereupon
justice and fairness to the consume.
would demand that the manufacturers
be obliged to submit to such readiust
ment and modification of the tariff upon
their finished goods as would secure tc
the people the benefit of the required cost
OF their manufacture and shield the con.
sumner against the exaction of great prof
it's.
1t will thus be seen that it ia free raw
materials, and the just and fearless regu
lation and reduction of the tariff to meet
changed conditions, which will carry tc
every humble home in the land the
blessings ofincreased comfort and cheap.
er living, The millions of countrymen
Sho have fought brsyely and we'll fo1
tariff reform should be exhorted to con.
tinue the struggle, yearly challenging to
open warfare and constantly guarding
against treachery and half-heartedness in
their camp. The reform will not be- act.
tied until 1t is honestly and fairly settled
to the interest and to the benefit of a pa
tient and long-suffering people.
fours very truly.
GROVER CLEVELAND"