The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-28
A WEAK LETTER.
Why President Cleveland Did
Not Sign the Tariff Bill.
Vaccinations of Trusts Barred the
Progress Of Honest Tariff Reform.

WAsHrNGroS, Aug 2s-The president
yesterday sent the following letter to
Representative Catchings of Mississippi
who consented TO its publication in view
oi its public character and Importance:
ExEoUgIvE MANSION,
WAsHiNcToN, ID. C., Aug. ~, 1904
Hon. T. @. Catchings
MY DEAR sft--n nee the conversation had
with you and Mr. q lirz OF AlahamA few days
ago IN resaro % my action on tae tariff bill
now b fore me, / have giNcl the subject
birther AM most orous consideration. The
result Is am more titled than ever IN the de-
termination tO a4o,y tie bill To become law
without my s.gT ature
When the formulation q legislation which
was hoped would embOdy Demt crat ideas OF
tarin reform WAS lately en.e ed upon by the
congress, nothing was fur her from my an
tcipai n tLal n result wllch 1 could rot
plolp and enthusiastically IN lorss. IL Il,
therefore, with foe iaI o. u q utn ost disap-
pointmsht that sublnit denial 10 this priv
lege.
/ do not claim to be better than the masses
or my party nor do wish 70 avoid any re-
sponsbilt ty which, on account of the pas age
o this law, ought 10 bear as a member of the
Democratic Organization. Neither win per-
init myself TO be separated from my party to
such an extent as might be implied by my
veto Of the tariff legislation, which, though
Disappointing, A. still char rgcable TO Democratic
effort.
But there are provisions i'm this bin which
are not Ia line with honest tariff reform, and
IL contains inconsi steneies and crudities
which orght not 70 appear in the tariff laws
or laws Of any kind. Besides there were az
you and we'll know, incidents accompanying
the passing OF the bin through the congress
which made every sincere tariff reformer un-
iappy, while influences surrounded 10 in it's
latter stages and interfered with its final con-
strucuoa which ought not 10 be recognized or
tolerated in Democratic tariff reform councils
An improvement, Nevertheless.
And yet, Notwithstanding ali it's vicissi-
tudes and all the bad treatment il received at
the lands OF pretended friends, IL presents a
vast Improvement - listing conditions. 1t
Will certainly tighten many tariff burdens that
now rest heavily upon the people. IL not
only barrier against ths return Of mad pro-
lection, but II fvraishes vantage ground
from which m be- waged further aggressive
operation as asst protected monopoly and
governmental Iavoritism.
take my place with the rank ani file OF the
Democratic p rtY who believe in tariff reform
and who kno wat il is, who refuse 10 ac-
cspt the results embodied in this bill as ths
olo,e OF the wa. b. are not blinded 10 the fact
that the livery " the Democratic reform has
been stolen and woln IN the service Of the Re-
publican pro ection, sTd who have marked the
places VIII sre the d ally blight Of treason has
blasted the coun ills of the brave in their hour
OF might.
The trusts and combnation-the commu.
nism OF pelf-whose Vaccinations have pre- |
vented Us from reaching the success we de-
served, should not be forgotten nor forgiven.
We shall recover from our astonishment at |
their exhibition OF power, and IL then the cues |
ton Is forced upon Us whether they shall sub /
init to the free legislative will Of the peoples
or dictate the laws which the
people must obey, we viii accept and settle
that issue As one involving the integrity and
safety OF American institutions.
Hope of Further Legislation.
love the principles OF true Democracy. he.
pause they are founded on patriotism and
npon Justice and Ia rness toward all interests
am proud OF my arty organization, because
! 10 conservatively sturdy and persistent in
We enfeIc smentof its principles. Therefore
do not despair Of the efforts made NV ths
louso OF representatives TO supplement the
oill already passed by further legislation and
@ have engrafted upon IL such mod a ,ations
. VIII more nearly meet Democratic hopes
md aspirations.
cannot be mistaken IS to the necessity of
rec raw mater 4 as the foundation of loefaal
md sensible ia III REFORM The ertsnt e.
when this II recognized in the leg:satiou nj.
eaoy secured II one o. its encouraging and re-
eeming features but 10 is yexatious 10 RECALL
nat while free coal and iron ore have been de-
led US, recent letter 4 the secretary OF the
reasury discloses the fast thai 10th roight
ave been made free by the annual surren5ar
only about SO 700 Df unnecessary revenue. |
am sure that there Is common habit Of
the Importance Of free raw
Materials In tariff legislation, and of regarding
hem as only related 10 conc essions to be made
o our manufacturers. The truth is, the inNu.
nee is so far reaching that il disresarded.
omplete and benefcent scheme Of tariff re-
)rm cannot be successfully inaugurated
When we give To Our manufacturers free
Aw materials We unshacke American enter.
rise and ingenuity, and these will o9en the
oors n foreign mari . 10 the reception "a,
nr wares y I'd give oplortunity for the con.
huo9s ana renuneiaolve employment OF
merican labor.
How Cousumers Are benefited
With materials cheapened by their freedom {
ON tariff charges, the cost of their product
ust be correspondingly cheapened. There. :
pon luslce and fairness 20 the consumer
ouia aeinand that the manufacturers be ,
'liged 70 submit to such readjustment AMI !
odihcation OF the tariff upon their finished
'ods AZ would secure 10 the people the benefit G
thereduced cost OF their manufacture and
ield the consumers against the exaction of
ordinate pro9ts. y
Il will thus be seen that free raw material. Q
Id just and fearless regulation aud rednc
on of the tariff 20 meet the changed condi !
ms would carry 60 every humble home in \
e land the blessings Of increased comfort
d cheaper living.
The millions Of our countrymen who have u
nght brayely and well for tariff reform L
QUO be e&horted TO continue the struggle,
Idly challenging TO open warfare and con. u
inty guarding against treachery and half. n
in their camp. -
Tariff reforms VIII MT be settled until Il is
nestly and fairly settled in the interest and "
the benefit Of patient and long suffering II
ople. GRoyER or CrKyrT.yns