Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-07-25
president Clereramd's Letter.

mittee of the House of Representatives, de-
claring against any surrender on the tariff to
the Senate icon seryatives, and read in the
House to-day at the request of the recipient:
Etecltiue Mansion, Washington, July 2, 1894.
Person. Ito Hon. William L. WILSON,
Ny Dear Sir: The certainty that conference
will be ordered between the two honses OF
Congress for the purpose of adjusting differ
ences on the subject of tariff legislation makes
it also certain that you will be again called on
to do hard service in the cause of tariff reform.
Ny public life has been SO closely related to
the subject, have so longed for its accom-
plishment, and have SO often promised its
realization to my fellow-countrymen as a re-
suit of their trust aud confidence in the Dem
ocratic party that hope no excuse is ncees-
sary for my earnest appeal to you that in this
crisis you strenuously insist upon party honesty
and good faith and sturdy adherence to
Democratic principles. l believe these are
absolutely necessary conditions to the contin-
uaton of Democratic existence.
cannot rid myself of the feeling that this
conference will present the best, if not the
only hope of true Democracy. Indications
point to its action as the reliance of those
who desire the genuine fruition of Demo-
cratic effort, the fulfllment of Democratic
pledges and the redemption OF Democratic
promises to the people. To reconcile differ
ences in the details comprised within the fixed
and weldefned lines of principle will not be
the sole task of the conference; but, as it
seems to me, its members will also have in
charge the question whether Democratic
principles themselves are to be saved or
abandoned.
There is no excuse for installing or misap-
pretending the feeling and the temper of the
rank and file of the Democracy. They are
downcast under the assertion that their party
fails in ability to manage the government,
and they are apprehensive that efforts to bring
about tariff reform may fail but they are
much more downcast and apprehensive in
their fear that Democratic principle may be
surrendered.
In these circumstances they cannot do other
wise than to look with confidence to you and
those who with you have periodically and
sincerely championed the cause of tariff re-
form within Democratic lines and guided by
Democratic principles. This confidence is
vastly augmcn ted by the action under your
leadership of the House of Representatives
upon the bill now pending.
Every true Democrat and every sincere
tariff reformer knows that this bill in its pre-
sent form and as it will be submitted to the
conference falls far short of the consumma-
ton for which we have long labored, for
which we have suffered defeat without dis
couragement; which in its anticipation gave
us a rallying cry in our dav of triumph, and
which in It's promise of accomplishment is so
interviewer with Democratic pledges and
Democratic success that our abandonment of
the cause or the principles upon which it rests
means party peridy and party dishonor.
One topic will be submitted to the confer
ence which embodies Democratic principle so
directly that it cannot be compromised. We
have in our platforms and in every way pos
sible declared in favor of the free importation
of raw materials. We have again and again
promised that this should be accorded to our
people and our manufacturers as soon as the
Democratic party was invested with the power
to determine the tariff policy of the country.
The party now has the power. We are as
certain to-day as we have ever been of the
great benefit that would accrue to the coun-
try from the Inauguration of this policy, and
nothing has occurred to release us from our
obligations to secure this advantage to our
people, 1t must be admitted that no tariff
measure can accord with Democratic princi-
pies and promises or bear q genuine Demo-
cratic badge that does not provide for free
raw materials.
In these circumstances it may well excite
our wonder that Democrats arc willing to de-
part from this the most Democratic of all tar
if principles and that the inconsistent alb
surdity of such proposed departure should
be emphasized by the suggestion that the
wool of the farmer be put on the free list and
the protection of tariff taxation be placed
around the iron ore and coal of corporations
and capitalists How can we face the people
after indulging in such outrageous discrimina-
tons and violations Of principle?
1t is quito apparent that this question of free
raw materials does not admit of adjustment
on any middle ground since their subsection
to any rate of tariff taxation, great or small,
is alike yioativc of Democratic principle and
Democratic good faith.
| hope that you will not consider it in-
trusiye if / say something in relation 20
another subject which can hardly fail to be
troublesome to the conference. refer to the
adjustment of tariff taxation on sugar
Under our party platforms, and in accord
ance with our declared party purposes. sugar
is a legitimate and logical article of revenue
taxation. Unfortunately, however, incidents
have accompanied certain stages of the legis-
lation which will be submitted to the confer
ence that have aroused in connection with
this subject natural Democratic auimosity
to the methods and manipulations of trusts
and combinations l confess TO sharing in
this feeling and yet it seems 20 me we ought,
if possible, to sufficiently free ours elves from
prejudice to enable us coolly to weigh the
consideration which in formulating tariff
legislation ought to guide our treatment Of
sugar as a taxable article.
While no tenderness should be entertained
for Trusts and while l am decidedly opposed
to granting them, under the guise of tariff
taxation. any opportunity to further their
peculiar methods, I suggest that we ought
not to be driven away from the Democratic
principle and policy which lead to the taxa
ton of sugar by the fear. quite likely exag-
gerated, that in carrying out this principle
and policy We may indirectly and Unfortunately
encourage q condition of sugar refining in