Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-28
IT Is LAW.

When the dial on the clock marked the hour of 12 last night the tariff bill of 1854 became a law, and today goes into effect, not by virtue of the Presidents approval, but by virtue of limitation of time h which he held the power of veto. The persistent determination of the President to withhold executive sanction to g. bill which he had tried so hard to defeat is not surprise to those who have carefully watched the administration of MT. Cleve- land. There seems to be an erroneous irn- pression on the minds of some that 'spocket veto' like this produces the same effect as the signature of approval. Not so The one would have fastened responsi- bility of the work upon both the iegisia- tive and executive departments of an ad. ministration holding power of government by virtue of the Democratic party aud would have stultifed President Cleveland and run him of the track of consistency that jewel which has proven so character istic of the man. The course pursued preserves the well-known characteristic of the President, throws the responsibility for all where it justly belongs, but gives to the country relief from McKinieyism, and material for experiment under a new order of things, ~'
 - If the President has erred in judgment, if he has been disappointed in this work of Democratic Congress, if he feels that the bill is a core 'mak e;hift, ' he would have been less than man to have signed it, no matter how loud the call from those who differ with him. His refusal to do so makes history for the Democratic party, no matter how successful the new law may prove. The cross- fire advice which hae reached the Presidents ear during the ten days just past has had but little effect !; yet proper appreciation of the demands of inc business interests of the country have stayed his hand against an act which he knew would retard business progress, and his yielding to this demand presents con- vincing evidence of an exercise of self sacrificing patriotism, which is most com mendable.
 The cry of the Republican press for the President to veto the measure, and thus make the Democratic party odious in the sight of the business world, passed by MT. Cleveland as the idle winds.
 The tariff bill is today 8 law, and let us hope the whole country will prosper under its provisions.
 Since writing the above the wires bring to us the letter of the President to Con- gressman Catchings, in which he gives his reasons for determination to allow the bill to become law without his signature. Acknowledging his great disappointm at the failure of the bill to carry with it thorough tariff reform, the President gives ntterance to & belief that it's passage means a step towards that final triumph which the great party, to which he declares his firm and abiding allegiance, intends to achieve. With the patriotic expression, s'I love the principles of true Democracy, because they are founded in patriotism and upon justice and fairness towards all inter- ests,' MT. Cleveland raises the red flag against trusts and monopolists and declares the war just begun that shall end in victory for long suffering people.
 His letter is characteristic of the man bold and clear. his meaning unmistakable, and his utterauces carry with them the fire of most zealous patriotism.