The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1894-09-05

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s. = President
Cleveland has written the following let
ter to Representative Catchings, in
which he sets forth his views OF the
new tariff law and gives his reasons for
not approving the bill:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. "a, 1894
Hon. T, @. Catchings-My Dear Sir:
Since the conversation had with you and
Mr.. Clark, Of Alabama, few days ago In re-
gard to my action on the tariff bill now before
me- have given the subject further and most
serious consideration The result Is, I am more
settled than ever in the determination to allow
the bill to become a law without my signature
When the formation of legislation which 1t was
hoped would embody democratic ideas Of tarih
reform was lately entered upon by the congress,
nothing was fur ther from my anticipation than
result which 1 could not promptly and en-
Enthusiastically indorse 1t is therefore with
feeling of the utmost disappointment that
submit to denial Of this privilege.
do not claim TO be better than the massesof
my party, nor do wish 70 avoid any RESPONSE
bility which, on account Of the passage Of this
law, l ought TO bear as q member Of the demo-
cratic organization. Neither will permit my
self to be separated from my party to such an
extent as might be implied by my veto OF tarin
legislation, which, though disappointing, Is
still chargeable to democratic effort. But there
are provisions in this bill which are not in the
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 we're, as you and l well know,
incidents accompanying the passage of the bill
through the congress which made every sincere
tariff reformer unhappy, while influences sur
rounded it in its latter stages and tnterfered
with its final construction, which ought not to
be recognized or tolerated in democratic tariff
reform councils.
And yet, Notwithstanding all its vicissitudes
and all the bad treatment 1t received at the
hands of pretended friends, 1t presents vast
improvement to existing conditions. 1t will
certainly Tighten many tariff burdens that now
rest heavily upon the people 1t is not only
barrier against the return Of mad protection,
but it furnishes vantage ground from which
must be waged further aggressive operations
against protected monopoly and governmental
favoritism.
take my place with the rank and file Of the
democratic party who believe In tariff reform
and who know what 1t Isl who refuse TO accept
the results embodied In this bill as the close OF
the war; who are not blinded to the fact that
Jne livery OF u6HOCrbLlC Vdrlu TclOTm mao poSh
stolen and worn In the service Of republican
protection and who have marked the places
where the deadly light Of treason has blasted
the councils of the brave in their hour Of might.
The trusts and combinations-the communism
Of pelf-whose machination have prevented us
from reaching the success we deserve, should
not be forgotten nor forgiven.
l love the principles OF true democracy be-
cause they are founded in patriotism and upon
justice and fairness to all American interests
am proud Of my party organization, because
1t is conservativey sturdy and persistent in the
enforcement of its principles. Therefore, l 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 it such notifications as will more
nearly meet democratic hopes and aspirations.
! cannot be mistaken as to the necessity OF
free raw materials az the foundation Of logical
and sensible tariff reform. The extent to which
this is recognized In the legislation already Sc
cured is one of its encouraging anH redeeming
features but 1t is vexatious to recall that while
free coal and iron ore have been denied us re-
cent letter Of the secretary of the treasuryd dis
closes the fact that both might have been made
free by the annual surrender OF only about $780,
900 of unnecessary revenue
The millions OF our countrymen who have
| fought bravely and we'll for tariff reform should
be exhorted to continue the struggle boldly, by
! challenging to open warfare and constantly
guarding against treachery and half-hearted-
ness in their camp. Tariff reform will not be
settled until it is honestly and fairly settled In
the interest and to the benefit Of patient and
long-sufering people. Yours very truly
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S. - Secretary
Carlisle has decided and will instruct
customs collectors that goods placed in
bonded warehouses under the McKin'
ley law and made free of duty under
the new tariff act, are entitled to free
entry and need not be exported and re-
imported in order to get the benefits Of
the new act This is of especial inter
est to the wool trade, as large amount
of wool is stored now in bonded ware
houses. In this, as all other nooted
questions, the secretary will follow the
intent of congress and let aggrieved
parties appeal to the courts if they care
to contest on technical grounds.
Although it is Secretary Carlisle''
purpose that the intent of congress
shall be followed, it is learned that al
to all questions of error in punctuation
Secretary Carlisle will make no de
cisions or give any instructions to col
lectors until after actual cases hav,
come before him on appeal from th'
decisions of the board of general ap
praisers as to whether diamonds, seed
and certain other articles are, by tn
terms of the bill, on the dutiable or tn,
free list collectors will, of course with
out any instructions, hold them to b.
dutiable in order to protect themselves
and importers must go to law if the.
contest these rulings.