Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-06

appointed, and almost Immediately
the work of framing the Democratic
tariff-reform measure began. Months
were spent In its preparation, and
it was not reported until after
tho holidays during tne regular
session beginning in December. For
three weeks 1t WIS debated in tho
House, passing that body January %
Seventeen House Democrats voted
against it. Tue bill went to the SEN
ate, and, after being considered until
March ~, was reported, greatly
changed from the House bill The
debate which began in the Senate
April 2 lasted until July3, when the
bill rassed by a vote OF - to 81. The
crisis occur red when the bill reached
conference. On Aug. IL the House
yielded, and accepted the Senate bill in
toto. Two days afterward, Wednes-
day, Aug. Is, it went t. the President,
and Monday night, at the expiration
of the constitutional ten days Sun
without Mr.. Cleveland approval.
The Secretary instructed customs
collectors that goods placed in bonded
warehouses under the Mckinley law
and made frea of duty under the new
tariff act are entitled to free entry,
and need not be exported and reim-
ported in order to get the benefits OF
the new act. This is of espo ial inter-
est TO the wool trade, q large amount
OF wool being stored now in bonded
warehouses. In this, as in all other
mooted questions, the Secretary will
follow the intent Of Congress and let
aggrieved parties appeal to the courts
If they care to contest on technical
grounds. In accol dance with this de-
termination he undoubtedly will hold
that diamonds are dutiable. notwith-
standing tho erroneous punctuation of
the free list.
why lie Didn't Sign.
While President Cleveland did not
sign the new tariff law he was pre-
vailed on by party chieftains to write
q letter which is to voice his feelings.
The letter, which was addressed to
Gen. Catchings of the Rules Committee
of tho House, was Of course meant for
publication. To address it to Cen
Catchings was mere convenience and
a copy went 10 the press association by
the same hand which bore the original
missive TO Catchings.
The President objects to the bill for
the reason that he regards it as not
being in line with honest tariff re-
form, and because IL contains incon-
sistencies that should not be found
in any tariff law. Tie speaks of the
vicissitudes OF the bill during
its progress through the two
houses. and TO tho bad treatment
1t received from pretended friends,
and expresses the opinion that not
withstanding these Il 10 vast i'm
provement on exist ng condit ons. 1T
is not only barrier" says the Presi-
dent, against return to mad protec-
ton, but furnishes vantage ground
from which must DO waged aggressive
operations against protected mon poly
and government favoritism." Follow
ing Is the missive:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON. ID. @.
The Hon. T. C. Catchngs
MY DEAR SIR-Since the conversation had
with you and Mr.. Clark. of Alabama. few
days ago in regard to my action upon the tariff
bill now before me. have Civ n the subject
further and most serious consideration. The
determination to allow the bill to become q
law without my signature.
When the formulation Of legislation which
Il YVES hoped would embody Democratic ideas
OF tariff reform was lately entered upon by
the Congress nothing was further from my an
ticipation than z result which ! could not
1t is therefore with a feeling OF the utmost
disappointment that I submit to denial of
this privilege.
do not claim to be better than the masses
of my party nor do l wish to avoid any re-
sponsibility which on account OF the passape
OF this law ought to bear as q member OF the
Democratic organization, neither Will per-
init myself to be separated from my party TO
such an extent as might be implied by my veto
of tariff legislation which. though dtssp-
pointing, 10 still chargeable to Demo-
cratic effort. But there are provisions
in this bill which are not in line with honest
and crudities which ought not to appear In tar
III laws or laws, of any kind. Besides there
were, as you and 1 well know. incidents ac-
cornpanying the passage OF the bill through
Congress which made every sincere reformer
unhappy while inf fences surrounded It In It's
latter stages and fnserfered with It's final con-
struction which ought not to be recognized or
tolerated in Democratic tariff reform councils.
And yet, notwithstanding all its vicfssitudes
and ali the bad treatment IL received at the
hands of pretended friends. IL presents q vast
improvement to existing conditions. IT will
certainly tighten many tariff burdens that now
rest heavily upon the people. 1t is not only q
barrier against the return OF mad protection
but It furnishes q vantage ground from which
must be waged further aggressive operations
against protected monopoly and governmental
take my place with the rank and file of the
Democratic party who believe In tariff re-
form and who know what It ts: who refuse to
accept the results embodied In this bill a. the
close OF the war; who are not blinded TO the
fact that the livery Of Democratic 'tarih re-
form has been stolen and worn In the service
y N L. ~sxA - q hn0 "a