Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-08-30
NEW TARIFF LAW.
The Bin Went Into Effect With
out the Presidents Signature.
A Letter 20 Congressman Catchings Ex-
plains His Attitude-The Measure Does
Not Fairly Represent Tariff
Reform Principles.
is NOW A LAW.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s.-At ~ o'clock
Monday night the Mckinley tariff law,
which had been in operation since
October 80, 1890. practically four years,
died on the statute books and tne new
democratic tariff bill passed by the
Ftfty-third congress became a law
without the signature of President
Cleveland. The constitutional period
of ten days allowed the president to
consider the bill expired with the
midnight hour and, according to the
terms of the constitution, the presi-
dent having failed to return the bill
to congress with or without his APP
proval, il became a law.
While President Cleveland sent no
message to congress regarding the
tariff bill, he has given his opinion of
the same in letter sent to Represen-
tatlve Catchings Miss. J, who consented
to its publication in view of its public
character and Importance:
The Presidents Letter.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Aug.
27-Hon. T. c. Catchings-My Dear Sir: Since
the conversation had with you and Mr. Clark,
of Alabama, a few days ago In regard to my
action upon the tariff bill now before me
have given the subject further and most Sc
rious consideration. The result is, am more
settled than ever in the determination TO al
low the bill to become a law without my sigma
ture.
When the formulation of legislation which
Il was hoped would embody democratic ideas
of tariff reform was lately entered upon by
this congress nothing was further from my an
ticipation than result which / could not
fIxsa ,o{a Ind 80
therefore with feeling Of the utmost disap-
pointment that ! submit to a denial Of this
privilege
Hints at Trust Influences.
az do not claim to be better than the masses
Of my party nor do wish to avoid any respon-
sibility which on account OF the passage Of
this law j ought TO bear as member OF the
democratic organizations neither will l
permit myself TO be separated from my
party to such an extent might be
implied by my veto of tarir legislation, which.
though disappointing, is still chargeable to
| democratic effort. But there are provisions in
| this bill which are not IN line with honest
tarin reform and il contains Inconsistencies
and crudities which ought not TO appear in
/ tariff laws OF laws Of any kind
Besides, there were, as you and well know
| incidents accompanying the passage Of the
I bill through congress which made every sim
cere reformer unhappy. while influences sur
| rounded IL IN its latter stages and interfered
with its final construction which ought not 10
| be recognized or tolerated In democratic tarin
reform councils.
Better Than the Mckinley Law.
And yet, notwithstanding all It's vicissi-
! tudes and all the bad treatment IL has received
ct the hands of it's pretended friends, ii pre-
SCENTS a vast Improvement 10 existing condi-
/ lions. II will certainly tighten many tarin
burdens that now rest heavily upon the peo-
/ pie. II is not only barrier against the return
| of mad protection, but 1t furnishes a vantage
ground from which must be waged further ag-
| gressive operations against protected monop-
| oily and governmental favoritism.
Il take my place with the rank and file OF
| the democratic party who believe in tariff re-
| form ana who know what IL is, who refuse 70
accept the results embodied In the bill at the
| close OF the war who are not blinded TO the
/ fact that the livery of democratic tariff reform
has been stolen and worn in the service OF re-
! publican protection, ana who have marked the
places where the deadly blight of treason has
blasted the councils OF the brave in their hour
OF might.
..The Communism of Peif."
THE trusts and com0inations-the com
| rnunism OF pelf, whose Vaccinations have pre-
| vented us from reaching the success we de-
serve. should not be forgotten or forgiven. We
SHAH recover from our establishment at their
/ ENliDaIlOI VI pONtts anu ~ tbth hht IobseASA
Is forced upon us whether they shall submit to
the free legislatiss will OF the peoples repre-
sentatives. 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.
II love the principles OF true democracy be-
cause they are founded in patiotism and upon
Justice and fairness toward all interests. am
proud Of my party organization because i
| is eonservatively sturdy and persistent IN the
/ enforcement of It's principles. Therefore, ] dc
not despair OF the efforts made by the house OF
representatives to supplement the bill already
passed by further legislation and to have en-
grated upon ii such notifications as will more
, nearly meet democratic hopes and aspirations
Wants Free Coal and Iron Ore.
Il can't be mistaken as to the necessity Of
free raw materials as the founda tion Of logiea
| and sensible tariff reform. The extent TO which
this is recognized in the legislation already Sc
| cured is one of its encouraging and redeemina
features but 1t is vexatious TO recall that while
free coal and iron ore have been denied a let
ter Of the secretary of the treasury discloseS
the fact that both might have been made free
by the annual Surrender OF only S70o,0 900 Of un.
necessary revenue
Il am sure that there is a common habit oil
| Understanding the importance Of free raw
| materials In tarin Legislation. and Of regard
ing them only related TO concessions to be
made to our manufacturers. The truth Is
their influence is so far-reaching that If disre-
earded complete and benehcent scheme OF
tariff reform cannot be successfully inaugn-
rated
| When we give 20 our manufacturers free raw
materials we unshacsle American enterprise
and ingenuity, and these will open the doors OF
foreign markets TO the reception Of our wares
and give opportunity for the continuous and
| remunerative employment Of American labor
/ ssJVffH afaFtulc hggneued bg their frEqdCfu
! from tariff charges the cost Of their product
must be correspondingly cheapened. There
upon justice and fairness to the consrnei
! would demand that the manufacturers be
/ Obliged to submit to such a readiustment and
( modification Of the tarin upon their finished
1 goods as would secure 70 the people the benefit
/ Of the reduced cost Of their manufactures aud
/ shield the consumer against the exactions Of
4 Inordinate profits.
/ Tariff Question Not Settled.