The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-09-05
GIVES HIS REASON.
WHY CLEVELAND LET TIE TARIFF
BILL BECOME LAW.

It is Vast Improvement on Existing Pre-
lection Lsws-He Scores the Democrat
Who Helped to Pa,s the Sc Called Ta1il
Reform Measura
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-Presiden
Cleveland has written the following let
ter to Representatives Catchings Of Mis-
sissippl, in which be sets forth big view!
of the new tariff law and gives his rea
sons for not approving the bill:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, D. G., August o..
lion. Z. 7. Ca!chlngs.
Ny Dear Sr: S nee the conversation
l had with you and Mr.. Clark of Ala
bama lew days ago, in regard TO my
acton on the tarih bill now before me
l have given the subject turther ant
most serious consideration. The result
is, am more settled than ever in the
determination to allow the bill to be
come Law without my signature.
When the formation Of legislation
which it was hoped would embody Dem
ocratc ideas of tariff reform, was lately
entered upon by the Congress nothing
was further from nv anticipation that 6
result which l could not promptly anC
enthusiastically endorse. It is, there.
fore, width a feeling OF the utmost dis
appointment that l submit to denial o.
this privilege.
Z do not claim to be better than the
masses Of my party nor do l wish tC
avoid any responsibility which, on ac'
count of the passage of this law, l ought
to bear as a member of the Democratic
organization. Neither will 1 permit my.
self to be separated from my party to
such an extent as might be implied by
my veto of tariff legislation, which,
though disappointing, is still chargeable
to Democratic effort. But there are pro.
visions in this bill which are not in line
with honest tariff reform. and it con-
tains inconsistencies and crudities which
ought not to appear in tariff laws or laws
of any kinds. Besides there were, as
you and l we'll know, incidents accom-
panying the passage Of the bill through
the Congress which made every sincere
tariff reformer unhappy, while Influences
surroun led it in its latter stages which
inierfered with its final construction and
which ought not to be recognized or
tolerated in Democratic tariff reform
counsels. Aud yet, Notwithstanding all
its 7lcissitudes and all the bad treatment
it received at the hands of pretended
friends, it presents vast improvmsnt
to existing conditions. It will certainly
tighten many a tariff burden that now
rests heavily upon the people. Its not
only barrier against the return of mad
protection, but it furnishes vantage
ground from which must be waged fur
ther aggressive operations against pro-
tected monopoiies and governmental
favoritism.
I 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 en-
bodied in this bill as tho close of the
war; who are aware of the fact that
the livery of Democratic tariff reform
has been stolen and worn in the service
Of Republican prote ;tion and who have
marked the places where the deadly
light Of treason has blasted the couusels
OF the brave in their hour of might.
The trusts and combinations, the COM
munion ofpelf, whose Vaccinations have
prevented US from reaching the success
we deserved, should not be forgotten or
forgiven. We shall recover from our
astonishment at their exhibition of
power, and if the QUESTION is forced
upon US whether they shall submit to
the free legislative will of the peoples
representatives, Or shall dictate the ia VS.
which the people must obey, we will
accept and settle that issue as one in-
volviug the integrity aud safety of Ameri-
can institutions.
l love the principales of true Demo.
cracy because they are founded in pa.
triotism and upon justice and fairness
toward all interests. | am proud of my
party organiz alton, because it is conser
Vatively sturdy and persis entin the en-
forcsment of its principles. Therefore,
I do not despair of the efforts made by
the House of Representative to supple.
ment the bill already passed by further
legislation, and to have engrafted upon
1t such notifications as will more nearly
meet Democratic hopes and aspirations.
l cannot be mistaken as to the neces-
sity or tree raw materials as the fOun-
dation oflogical and sensible tariff re-
form. The extent to which this is re-
cogn;zsd IN the legislation already Sc
cured Is one Of it's encouraging and re.
deeming features; but it is vex atious to
recall that free coal and iron ore have
been denied US. a recent letter OF the
Secretary OF the Treasury discloses the
fact that both might have been made free
bV the annual surrender of only about
100000 of unnecessary revenue.
1 am sure that there is a common hab
it Of Understanding the Importance Of
free raw materials in tariff legislation,
and of regarding them as only related to
concessions to be made to our manufact.
urers. The truth is, their Influence ls 50
far aching that if dsregarded a COM
plete and benefcient scheme Of tariff
reform cannot be successfully iDauyu-
rated. When we give to our manutact-
urers free raw materials we unshackle
American enterprises an@ ingenuity and
these will open the doors of foreign mark.
cts to the reception Of cur wares and
give opportunity for the continued re-.
munerative employment Of American
labor. With meterials cheapeled Dy
their freedom fcom tariff charges the
cost OF their product must bs correspond
ingly cheapened. Thereupon justice
and fairness to the consumer would de-
mand that the manufacturers be obliged
to submit to such readjustmenE and
modii cation of the tariff upon their flo
ished goods as would secure to the peo-
pie the benelis OF the reduced cost Of
their manufacture, and shield the con-
sumer against the eXacton Of luordinate
profits. 1t will thus b seen that free
raw material and just aad fearless re-
gulation 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 cheap.
er living, The millions OF my cOuutrymen