Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-09-01
REFUSED TO SIGN III.
President Cleveland Allows the
Tariff Bill to Become Law.
1t Does So without His Indorsement-Ed
Explains His Attitude In - Letter to
MIR. Catchings-End of a Long
Struggle.
NEW TARIFF GOES INTO EFFECT.


which had been in operation since
October 30, 1890, practically four years,
died on the statute books and the new
democratic tariff bill passed by the
Fifty-third congress became law
without the signature of President
Cleveland
"ExEcuTIvE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Aug
2I-Hon. n C. Catchings-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 I
have given the subject further and most Sc
rious consideration. The result is, mora
settled than ever in the determination to al
low the bill to become q law without my sigma
ture.
When the formulation of legislation which
1t was hoped would embody democratic ideas
OF tnrin reform was lately entered upon by
this congress nothing wns further from my an
ticipation than n result which 1 could not
promptly and enthusiastically indorse. 1t IL
therefore with a feeling of the utmost disnp-
pointmcnt that submit to denial of this
privilege
Il do not claim to be better than the masses
OF my party nor do 1 wish to avoid any respon-
sibility which on account OF the passage of
this law ought to bear a member OF the
democratic organizations; neither will I
permit myself to be separated from my
party to such an extent as might be
implied by my veto of tarin legislation which.
though disappointing, il still chargeable to
democratic effort. But there are provisions In
this bill which not In line with honest
tariff reform and it contains inconsistencies
and crudites which ought not to appear in
tariff laws or laws of any kind.
Besides, there were, you and we'll know.
incidents accompanying the passage OF the
bill through congress which made every sim
cere reformer unhappy, while influences sur
rounded 1t in its latter stages and interfered
with its final construction which ought not to
be recognized or tolerated in democratic tarin
reform councils.
tudes and all the bad treatment 1t has received
at the hands of its pretended friends, it pre-
sents q vast improvement to existing condi-
tions. 1t will certainly tighten many tariff
burdens that now rest heavily upon the peo-
pie. II Is not only barrier against the return
of mad protection, but it furnishes u 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 and who know what it Is, who refuse to
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 and who have marked tho
places where the deadly blight of treason has
blasted the councils Of the brave in their hour
of might.
"The trusts and combinations-the COM
munism OF pelf, whose Vaccinations have pre-
vented from reaching the success we de-
| serve, should not be forgotten or forgiven. We
| shall recover from our establishment at their
exhibition of power, and IL then the question
| IL forced upon us whether they shall submit To
the free legislative will of the peoples repre-
| sentatves, or shall dictate the laws which the
people must obey, we, will accept and settle
that issue involving the integrity and
safety OF American institutions.
| II love the principles of true democracy be-
| cause they are founded in patiottsm and upon
| justice and fairness toward all interests Inm
| proud OF my party organization because 1t
| Is conservarively sturdy and persistent In the
| enforcement OF its principles Therefore. 1 do
| 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 1t such notifications as will more
| nearly meet democratic hopes and aspirations.
| Il can't be mistaken as to the necessity OF
| free raw materials as the foundation of logical
| and sensible tariff reform. The extent to which
| this is recognized In the legislation already
| cured is one of its encouraging and redeeming
features, but it is vexatious to recall that while
| free coal and iron ore have been denied let
| ter Of the secretary of the treasury discloses
| the fact that both might have been made free
| by the annual Surrender of only 800 900 OF un-
| necessary revenue.
| Il am sure that there is a common habit of
| Understanding the Importance of free raw
| materials in tariff 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 II disre-
| garded complete and benefcent scheme OF
tariff reform cannot be successfully inaugu-
rated a
| When we give to our manufacturers free raw
| materials we unshackle 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.
With materials cheapened by their freedom
from tariff charges, the cost of their product
must be correspondingly cheapened. There
upon Justice and fairness to the consumer
would demand that the manufacturers bs
obliged to submit to such readiustment and
modification of the tariff upon their finished
goods rs would secure to the people the benefit
| OF the reduced cost OF their manufactures and
shield the consumer against the exactions of
lnordinate profits
| lit will thus be seen that free raw materials
and u just anu fearless regulation and reduce
tion OF the tarifr to meet the changed condi-
tlons would % carry o to every humble home
fort and cheaper living. The millions
Of our countrymen who have fought
should be exhorted to continue the struggle,
boldly challenging to open warfare and con-
stantiy guarding against treachery and half
heartedness in their camp, Tariff reform viii
not be settled until 1t is honestly and fairly
| settled In the interest and to the benefit of u
| patient and long-sunering people. Yours very
truly, 'GRovER CLEVELAND"
The placing of the bill upon the statute
books ended one OF the longest and most
tary history OF the government. 1t was
practically q year ago that the compilation OF
the new tariff was commenced. The extraordi-
nary session of congress was called August
q 1893 for the purpose OF repeating the
sherman silVer-purchasing law Two weeks
later the ways and means committee OF the
house. with Mr.. Wilson. of West Virginia AZ
chairman, was appointed, and almost imme-
diately the work OF framing the democratic
tarin-reform measure began Months were
spent in It's preparation, and 1t not re-
ported until after the holidays during the
regular session beginning in December. For
three weeks il was debated in the house, pass
ing that body January 20. Seventeen house
democrats voted againstit The bill went to the
senate, and, after being considered until March
20, was reported, greatly changed from the
house bill; The debate which began In the
senate April lasted until July 3, when the
bill passed by vote OF 80 to a. The crisis
occurred when the bill reached conference
| On August l3 the house yielded and accepted
| Wednesday, August 49, 1t went to the presi-
| dent and Monday night at the expiration OF
| the constitutional days Sundays not counted)
i | 1t became law without Mr.. Cleveland's APP
| proval
FOR A NATIONAL PARK.