Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-08-31
rRIrE rn TARLEF REFORM

sissippi, under date of August %, gives the
true position OF the Democracy of the coun-
try and shows the fallacy OF the claims oil
the conservative" allies of Republication
Hon. r. G. Catchings-My Dear Sir:
Since the conversation | had with you and
Mr.. Clark, Of Alabama, a few days ago in
regard to my action upon the tariff bill now
before me have given the subject further
and most serious consideration. The result
is, / am more settled than ever In the deter
mnation TO allow the bill 10 become law
without my signature. When the formula
ton Of legislation which il 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 | could not promptly
and enthusiastically indorse. 1t is, there
fore, with feeling of the utmost dsappoint-
ment that | submit TO denial OF this priv
ilege.
/ do not claim to be better than the masses
of my party, nor do | wish TO avoid any re-
sponsibilty which on account OF the passage
OF this law ought 10 bear as member OF
the Democratic organization. Neither will
permit myself 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 10
| 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 were, as you and | we'll know, Incl
| dents accompanying the passage of the bill
through the Congress which made every
sincere tariff reformer unhappy, while in
| fuences surrounded it in its latter stages
| and interfered with its final construction
which ought not TO be recognized or toler-
ated in Democratic tariff. reform counsels.
And yet notwithstanding all its vicissi-
tudes and all the bad treatment it received
at the hands OF pretended friends, it presents
q vast improvement TO existing conditions
1t will certainly tighten many tariff burdens
that now rest heavily upon the people. It's
not only barrier against the return OF mad
protection, but it furnishes vantage ground
from which must be waged further aggres-
sve operations against protected monopoly
and governmental fayoritism.
/ take my place with the rank and file of
the Democratic party, who believe in tariff
reform and who know what is; who refuse
to accept the results embodied in this bill as
the close OF the war; who are not blinded to
the TACT that the livery of Democratic tariff
reform has been stolen and worn in the SER
vice of Republican 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 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
ment at their exhibition of power, and If
then the question is forced upon US whether
they shall submit to the free legislative will
of the peoples representatives or shall die
tate the laws which the people must obey,
we will accept and settle that issue as one
involving the integrity and safety of Amer
lean Institutions.
love the principles of true Democracy
because they are founded ON patriotism and |
upon justice and fairness toward all inter
ests. am proud of my party organization
because it is conservatively sturdy and per
sistent in the enforcement of its principles.
Therefore | do not despair of the efforts |
made by the House of Representatives to |
supplement the bill already passed by |
further legislation and to have engrafted |
upon it such notifications as will more |
nearly meet Democratic hopes and aspira-
tons.
| cannot be mistaken as to the necessity
of free raw materials as the foundation OF
logical and sensible tariff reform. The ex
tent to which this is recognized in the legis-
tation already secured is one Of its encour
aging and redeeming features, but 1t is vexa-
tious to recall that while 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 |
by the annual surrender OF only about |
800 900 of unnecessary revenue.
i am sure that there is common habit OF |
u Understanding the importance OF free raw |
materials in tariff legislation, and OF regard
ing them as only related to conc essions to
be made to our manufacturers. The truth is,
their influence is 80 far reaching that if dis
regarded a complete and beneticent scheme |
of tariff reform cannot be successfully in
augurated.
When we give to our manufacturers free |
raw materials we unshackle American enter |
prise and ingenuity, and these will open the
doors of foreign markets to the reception OF |
our wares and give opportunity for the con
tinuous and remunerative employment OF |
American labor.
With materials cheapened by their free
dom from tariff charges, the cost OF their
product must be correspondingly cheapened.
Thereupon justice and fairness to the con-
sumner would demand that the manufac-
turers be obliged to submit to such 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 inordnate profits
1t will thus be seen that free raw materials
and just and fearless regulation and re.
duction of the tariff to meet the changed
conditions would carry to every humble
home in the land the blessings OF increased
comfort and cheaper living.
The millions of our countrymen who have
fought bravely and we'll for tariff reform
should be exhorted to continue the struggle,
boldly challenging to open warfare and con
stantly guarding against treachery and half
heartedness in their camp.
Tariff reforms will not be settled until it is
honestly and fairly settled in the interest
and to the benefit of a patient and long
suffering people.
Yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
President Cleveland has appointed w