The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-08-31
TARIFF BILL Is A LAW.
PRESIDENT DON'T SIGN BUT GIVES
HIS REASONS

ident's signature, however, having gone
into effect Mt midnight last night, because
the executive had made no public sign
during the ten days which he is given
to make up his mind as to signing bills.
A message to congress stating that he has
concluded not to sign bill is not neces-
sary from the executive unless he haa
concluded toveto one. But Cleveland hiA
gone on record rs to the reasons for his
non-action in a letter to Representative
Catchings, which is given below, Catch
ings consenting to it's publication in view
of its public character and Importance. 1t
is dated Executive Mansion, Washing
ton, Aug. 81, ls94:"
any DEAR SIR-Since the conversation
/ had with you and Mr.. Clark, of Ala
bama, ID few days ago in regard to my &C
tion upon the tariff bill now before me
have given the subject further and most
serious consideration. The result is / am
more settled tn an ever in the determine
ton to allow the bill to become q law
without my signature. When the formu-
lation of legislation which it was hoped
would embody Democratic ideas of tariff
gress nothing was further from my antic-
ipation than a result which l could
not promptly and enthusiastically en-
dorse. 1t is, therefore, with feeling OF
the utmost oisappontmenb that submit
to denial of this privilege.
Some Things He Cannot Endorse.
81 did not claim to be better than the
masses of my party, nor do wish to avoid
any responsibility which, on account OF
the passage of this law, l ought to
bear as member OF the Democratic or
ganization; neither will L permit myself
to be separated from my party to such
an extent as might be implied by my veto
of tariff legislation which, though disap-
pointing, is still chargeable to Democratic
effort. But there are provisions in this
bill which are not in line with honest tar
iff reform, and it contains inconsistencies
and crudities which ought not to appear in
tariff laws or laws of any kind. Besides
there were, as you and we'll know, inci-
dents accompanying the passage of the
bill through congress which made every
sincere reformer.unhappy,w while influences
surrounded it in its latter stages and in
terfered with its final construction which
ought not to be recognized or tolerated in
Better Than the Mckinley Bill.
"And yet. Notwithstanding all its vicis-
STUDIES and all the bad treatment it re-
ceived at the hands of pretended friends,
it presents vast Improvement of existing
conditions. 1t will certainly tighten many
tariff burdens that now rest heavily upon
the people. l 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 embodied in this bill as the close
of the war, who are not blinded to the fact
that the livery of Democratic tariff re-
form has been stolen and worn in the
service of Republican protection, and who
have marked the places where the deadly
blight OF treason has blasted the councils
of the brave IN their hour of might
"The trusts and com charlottesville COM
munism of pelf-whose Vaccinations have
prevented us from reaching the success
we deserve should not be forgotten or for
given. We shall recover from our as
constituent at their exhibition of DO wer,
and if then the question is forced upon us
whether they shall submit to the free
legislative will of the peoples representa-
tives, or shall dictate the laws which the |
people must obey, we will accept and |
settle that issue as one involving the in |
tegrit y and safety of American institu |
tions."
One Point f Certainty.
After declaring his love for the Democ. |
racy and pride in its sturdy and persist
ent enforcement Of its principles, which |
he hopes will be shown in the passage of |
the free list bills passed by the house, he |
goes on: II can't be mistaken as to the |
of free raw materials as the |
foundation of logical and sensible tariff |
reform. The extent to which this is rec
ognized in the legislation already secured |
Is one of its sing and redeeming
features; but it is vexatious TO recall that |
while free coal and iron ore have been de-
MED letter of the secretary of tue treas
ury discloses the fact that both might |
have been made free by the annual sur
render of only about 100000 of unneces-
sary revenue.
II am sure that there is u common habit
Of Understanding the importance of free
raw materials in tariff legislation and of
them as only related to conces-
slons to be made to our manufacturers |
The truth is, their influence is so far
reaching that If di-regarded a complete
Ind benefcent seize me Of tariff reform
,annot be successfully inaugurated. When
We give to our manufacturers free raw
We unsnnolle American enter
prise and ingenuity and these will open
The doors OF foreign markets TO the recep-
ion of our wares aud give opportunity for
The continuous and remunerative employ
nent of American labor.
with materials cheapeneh by their free
iom from tart fl cEarges the cost of their
product must be correspondingly cheap
med. Thereupon business and fairness
20 the consumer would demand that the
be obliged I'd submit to
'uch readjustmen and modification of
he tariff on their finished goods AS would
secure to the people the benefit of the re.
luced cost of their manufacture aud
hield the consumer against the exactions
" inordinate profits.
"The millions of our countrymen who
lave fought bravely and we'll for tariff
'eform should be exhorted to continue
he struggle, boldly challenging to open
warfare and constantly guarding against
reachery and half-heartedness in their
amp. Tariff reform will not be settled
Until it is fairly and honestly settled