The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-09-04

Hou- e Of Representatives ended, and
the Gornan-Brice tariff bill become a
law in such manner as no other re-
venue bill ever did before since the
foundation Of the Government. 1t has
neither been formally approved nor
disapproved by the Executive, but
like any unimpOrtant and lnslgnltl-
cant private measure, overlooked III
the expiring hours of the session, has
been allowed to go upon the statute
book without such approval.
WASHINGTOS, Aug. 27.-The PresI-
dent today sent the following letter to
Representative Catchings OF M'ssis-
sippi, who consented to its publication
on account of its public character and
importance:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. p, 1894
Hon. II. G.. CATCHINGS:-
DEAR SIR: Since the conversation
/ had with you and Mr.. Clark OF Ala
bama, few days ago, in regard TO my
action upon the tariff bill now before
me, have given the subject full and
most serious consideration. The re-
suit is, am more settled than ever in
the determination to allow the bill to
become law without my signature.
When the formulation of the legis-
Iation which it was hoped would en-
body Democratic ideas of tariff reform
was lately entered upon by Congress,
nothing was further from my antlcl-
patton than IA result which | could not
promptly and enthusiastically indOrse.
it is, therefore, with q feeling of the
utmost disappointment that / submit
to denial of this privilege. / do not
claim to be better than the masses of
my party, nor do L wish TO avoid any
responsibility which, on account of
the passage of this law, | ought to
bear as II 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 charge
able to Democratic effort. But there
are provisions in this bill which are
in line with honest tariff reform, and
it contains Inconsistencies and crudi-
ties which ought not to appear in
tarifflaws of any kind. Besides there
are, as you and / well know, incidents
accompanying the passage of the bill
through Congress which made every
sincere reformer unhappy, while iu-
fuences surrounded it in its later
stages and interfered with its final
construction which ought not to be
recognized or tolerated in Democratic
tariff reform councils.
And yet, Notwithstanding all its
vices, and all the bad treatment it re-
ceived ut the hands of pretended
friends, it presents q vast improve
ment on existing conditions. 1t will
certainly Tighten many tariff burdens
that now rest heavily upon the peO-
pie. 1t is not only barrier against
the return of mad protection, but it
,iCb 70
which must be waged further aggres-
sive operations against protected mo-
nOpoly and Governmental favOritism.
take my place with the rank and
file of the Democratic party who be-
lieve in tariff reform and who know
what it is, who refuse to accept the re-
suits embodied in this bill as the close
of the war, who are not blinded to the
fact that the livery of the Democratic
tariff reform has been stolen and worn
in the service of Republican protec-
ton and who have marked the places
where the deadly blight of treason has
blasted the councils of the brave in
their hour of might.
The trusts and combinatiOnS-the
communism of pelf-WhOse machina-
tions have prevented us from reach
ing the success we deserve, should not
be forgotten or forgiven. We shall
recover from our establishment at
their exhibition of power, and if then
the question is forced upon us whether
they shall submit to the free legisla-
tive will of the peoples representa-
tives 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.
i love the principles of true Dem
ocracy because they are founded on
patriotism and upon justice and fair
ness toward all interests, / am proud |
of my party organization because it is |
conservative1y sturdy and persistent |
in the enforcement of its principles. !
Therefore, l do not despair of the |
efforts made by the House of Repre- |
sentatives to supplement the bill al |
ready passed by further legislation,
and to have engrafted upon it such |
notifications as will more nearly |
meet Democratic hopes and inspira- /
tionS.
/ cannot be mistaken as to the ne !
cessity of free raw materials as the |
foundations of logical and sensible |
tariff reform. The extent to which |
this is recognized in the legislation |
already secured is one of its encour- !
aging and redeeming features; but it |
Is veXatiOus to recall that while free |
coal and iron ore have been denied,
letter of the Secretary of the Treasury |
discloses the fact that both might !
have been made free by the annual
surrender of only about 500, 900 OF |
revenue. l am sure there
is a common habit of Understanding
the Importance of free raw materials
in tariff legislation, and of regarding
them as only related to concessions to
he made RI OIIr manufacturers Tho /
truth is that their influence is so far
that, il disregarded, a COM
plete and benefcent scheme of tariff
reform cannot be successfully inaugu-
rated.
When we give TO our manufacturers
rec raw materials we unshackle Am
erican enterprise and ingenuity, and
,hese will open the doors of foreign
markets to the reception Of our wares
Ind give opportunity for the continu-