Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-28
ANOTHER EXECUTIVE LETTER
The Presidents Reasons for Not Signing
the Tariff Bill.
He Tells Representative Catchin Is
Why He Allowed the Measure to
Become a Law.

The tariff bill became a law at II O'Clock
last night, without the signature of the
President.
In explanation of his course in neither
signing nor vetoing the bill Mr.. Cleveland
sent the Following personal letter to Rep
resentative Catchirgs of Mississippi last
evening:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, August %, 1894.
Hon. T. c. Catchings.
My dear sir: Since the converse ton had
with You and MIR. Clark of Alabama few
days ago in regard to my action upon the
tariff bill now before me, have given the
subject further and most serious considera-
ton. The result is, i am more settled than
ever in the determination to allow the bill
to become 4 law without my signaure.
When the formulation of legislation which
II was hoped would embody democratic
ideas CT tariff reform was lately entered up
on by Congress nothing was further from
my anticipation than a result which / could
not promptly and enthusiastically indorse.
1t is, therefore. with a feeling of the ut
most disappointment that l submit to a
denial of this privilege.
/ do not claim to be better than the
masses Of my party. nor do wish to avoid
any responsibility which, on account of the
passage of this law, l ought to bear as a
member of the democratic organization.
NcttHcT Will L permit myself 10 De StpdEdtCu
from my party TO such an extent as might
be implied by my veto of tariff legislation,
which. though disappointing, is still charge
eble to democratic effort. But there are
provisions 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 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 surrounded 1t in
its latter stages and interfered with its
final construction, which ought not to be
recognized or tolerated in democratic tariff
reform counsels.
And vet. notwithstanding all Its vicissi-
tudes and all the bad treatment it received
at the hands of pretending friends 1t pre-
sents a vast Improvement to existing con-
ditions. 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 1t fur
nishes a vantage ground from which must
be waged further aggressive operations
against protected monopoly and govern
mental favoritism.
I take my place with the rank and file
Of the democratic party who believe In
tariff reform and who know what 1t Is
who refuse to accept the results embodied
In this bill the close of the war. who
ere not blinded to the fact that the livery
Of democratic tariff reform has been stolen
and worn In the service of republican pro-
lection, 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 combinaticns-the COM
munism Of pelf-whose Vaccinations have
prevented us from reaching the success We
deserved, should not be forgotten nor for
given. We shall recover from our astonish-
nent at their exhibition of power, and IL
then the question is forced upon us whether
they shall submit to the free legislative
viii of the peoples representatives, 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.
/ love the principles of true democracy
because they are founded in patriotism and
upon justice and fairness toward all in
terests. i am proud of my party organiza-
ton because 1t is conservative, sturdy and
persistent in the enforcement of its prin-
ciples. Therefore l do not despair Of the
efforts made by the House of Representa-
tives to supplement the bill already passed
by further legislation, and to have engraft-
ed upon Ii such notifications as will more
nearly meet democratic hopes and aspira-
tons.
of free raw materials as the foundation of
logical and sensible tariff reform. The cX-
tent to which this is recognized in the
legislation already secured is one of its
encouraging and redeeming features: but
1t is vexatious to recall that while free coal
and iron ore have been denied u.s. a recent
letter of the Secretary of the Treasury dis
closes the fact that both might have been
made free by the annual surrender of only
about $IO0,0OO of unnecessary revenue
i am sorry there is a common habit of I'M
der-eStimating the Importance of free raw
materials In tariff legislation, and of re-
garding them as only related to concessions
to be made to our manufacturers. The truth
Is their influence is so far reaching. that II
dfsregarded, a complete and benafcent
scheme of tariff reform cannot be success
fully inaugurated.
When We give to our manufacturers free
raw materials. we unshackle American en-
terprfse and ingenuity, and these will open
the doors Of foreign markets to the recep-
ton Of our wares and give opportunity for
the continuous and remunerative employ
ment of American labor.
With materials cheaptned By their free
product must be correspondingly cheapened
ThereupoD, justice and fairness to the con-
sumner would demand that the manufacture
ers be obliged to submit to such a read
Justment and modification of the tariff upon
their finished goods, as would secure to the
people the benefit of the reduced cost Of
their manufacture, and shield the consumer
against the exaction of inordinate profits
IL VIII thus be seen that free raw mater
fals and just and fearless regulation and
reduction of the tariff to meet the changed
conditions, would carry to every humble
home In the land the blessings of Increased
comfort and cf eaper living. The millions
OF our countrymen who have fought brave
ly and well for tariff reform should be ex-
horted to continue the struggle boldly, chal-
Longing to open warfare and constantly
guarding against treachery and half-heart-
edness In their camp.
Tartn reform will not he settled until it
is honestly and fairly settled in the interest
and to the benefit of patient and long-suf-
fering people.
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