Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1894-08-30
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.
Gives Reasons for Withholding his
Signature to the Tariff Bill.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-Pres-
ident Cleveland has written the
following letter to Represen-
tative Catchings of Mississippi,
in which he sets forth his views
of the new tariff law, and gives
his reasons for not approving
the bill:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. %, '94.
Hon. Z. 6. Cdtchings:
My DEAR SIR-Since the con-
versation I had with you and Mr.
Clark, of Alabama, a few days
ago in regard to my action on
the tariff bill now before me, [
have given the subject most seri-
Gus consideration. The result
is [ am more settled than ever
in the determination to allow
the bill to become a law without
my signature.
When the formation of legisla-
ton which it was hoped would
embody Democratic ideas of tariff
reform WAS lately entered upon
by the Congress-, nothing was
further from my anticipation
than a result which I could not
promptly and enthusiastically
endorse, It is therefore with a
feeling of the utmost disappoint-
ment that [ submit to a denial of
this privilege.
[ do not claim to be better than
the masses of my party, nor wish
to avoid any responsibility, which
on account of the passage of this
law, | ought to bear as a member
of the Democratic organization.
Neither will I permit myself to
be separated from my party to
such an extent as might be i'm
piled by my veto of Tariff legis-
lation, which, though disappoint-
ing, is still chargeable to Demo
cratic effort. But there are pro-
visions in this bill which are not
in line with honest Tariff 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. incidents
accompanying the passage of the
bill through the Congress which
made every sincere Tariff re-
former unhappy, while influences
surrounded it in it's latter stages
and interfered with its final con-
struction, which ought not to be
recognized or tolerated in Demo
cratic tariff reform counsels.
And yet, Notwithstanding all it's
vicissitudes and all the hard
treatment it received at the hands
of pretended friends, it presents a
vast Improvement to existing
conditions. It will certainly
Tighten many tariff burdens that
now rest heavily upon the peo-
pie. It is not only a barrier
against the return of mad-pro-
lection, but it furnishes a want
age ground from which must be
waged further aggressive opera
tions against protected mono
poly and Governmental favorit-
ism.
/ 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 reform has been stoler
and worn in the service of Re
publican protection, and who
have marked the places where the
deadly blight of treason has
blasted the %counsels of the brave
in their hour of might.
The trusts and combinations
the communion of pelf-who see
that Vaccinations have prevented
us from reaching the success we
deserved, should not be forgotten
or forgiven. We shall recover
/ from our astonishmenG at then
exhibition of power, and i
then the question is forced upo1
us whether they shall submit
to the free Legislative will O.
! the peoples representatives
or shall dictate the laws which
the people must obey, W,
, will accept and settle that is
sue as one involving the integ
rity and safety of American in
, situations.
4 love the principles of true
: Democracy because they ar
=, founded in patriotism and upon
Justice and fairness towards al
!. interests. I I'm proud of m,
party organization because it i
: conservatively sturdy and persis
tent in the enforcement of it
principles. Therefore I do no
despair of the efforts made b,
6 the House of Representatives t.
supplement the bill alread,
passed by further legislation an
= to have engrafted upon it sue
: notifications as will more nearl,
8 meet Democratic hopes and as
pirations.
f [ cannot be mistaken as to tn
necessity of free raw material
d as the foundation of logical an
d sensible tariff reform. The e2
S tent to which this is recognize
T in the legislation already secure
is one of it's encouraging and re
d deeming features; but it is vex;
It tious to recall that while fire
It coal and iron ore have been d.
II niod nc n rocoot lattar of til