The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-08-30
GROWERS BOLD LETTER.
TELLS WHY HE WILL NOT SIGN
THE TARIFF BILL.
1t Is Great Disappointment to thu
Democratic Party, Though it Will
A Afford Some Relief-Scores
the Traitors.

sippi, who consented to its publication
in view of its public character and i'm
portance:
My DEAR SIR-Since the converse e
tion l had with you and Mr.. Clark Of
Alabama a few days ago il regard to
my action upon the tariff bill, now be-
fore me, l have given the subject
further and most serious considera-
ton. The result is, am more settled
than ever In the determination to
allow the bill to become law without
my signature. When the formulation
of legislation which it was hoped
would embody Democratic ideas of
tariff reform was lately entered upon
by congress, nothing was further from
my anticipation than result which
could not promptly and enthusiastic =
ally endorse. 1t is, therefore, with a
feeling of the utmost disappointment
that | submit to denial OF this privi-
lege.
| 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, |
ought to bear as a 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 legis-
lation, which, though Disappointing
is still chargeable to Democratic eft
forts. But there are provisions in this
bill which are not in line with honest
tariff reform and it contains inconsis
tencies and crudities which ought not
to appear in tariff laws or laws of any
kind,
Besides there were, as you and I
well know, incidents accompanying
the passage OF the bill through con-
former unhappy, while influences sur
rounded it in It's later stages and in
terferred with its final construction
which ought not to be recognized or
tolerated in Democratic tariff reform
councils.
And yet, Notwithstanding ali its vi.
cissitudes and the bad treatment it re-
ceived at the hands of pretended
friends, it presents vast improve
ment to existing conditions. 1t will
certainly tighten many tariff burdens
that now rest heavily upon the people.
1t is not only barrier against the res
turn of mad protection, but it fur
nishes vantage ground from which
must be waged further aggressive
operations against protected monopoly
and governmental favoritism.
take my place with the rank and
file of the Democratic party who be-
lieve the results embodied in this bill
at the close of the war. who are not
blinded to the fact that the livery OF
the Democratic reform has been stolen
and worn in the service of Republi
can protection, who have marked the
places where the deadly light of trea
son has blasted the counsels of the
brave in their hour of might.
The trusts and mbinations--the
communism of pelf-whose machina-
tions have prevented us from reaching
the success we deserve, has not been
forg often or forgiven. We shall re-
cover from our astonishment at their
expiration of power, and if then the
question is forced upon us, whether
they shall submit to the free legisla-
tive will 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 insti-
tutions.
love principles of true Democracy
because they are founded on patriot
ism and upon justice and fairness to-
ward all interests. am proud Of my
party organization because it is con.
sturdy and persistent in
the enforcement OF the principle.
Therefore, do not despair of the
efforts made by the house of repre-
senta ives to supplement the bill al
ready passed by further legislation
and to have epgrafted upon it such
as will more nearly meet
Democi attic hopes and aspiration,
| cannot be mistaken, as the ueces-
sity of free raw materials is the foun-
dation OF logical and sensible tariff
reform, The extent to which this is
recognized in the legislation already
secured is one of its encouraging and
redeeming features, but it is vexatious
to recall that while free coal and iron
ore has been denied, letter of the
secretary OF treasury discloses the fact
that both might have been free
Will ~ OI ODlN
about 5000, 900 of unnecessary revenue.
am sure that there is a common
habit of undertaking the Importance
Of free raw materials in tariff leglsla
ton and of regarding them as only re-
ated to concessions TO be made to our
manufacturers. The truth is, their in
iuence is so far-reaching that, if dis
complete and benefcient
scheme OF tariff reform cannot be sue.
,essfully inaugurated
Whrn we give to our manufacturers
rec raw materials we unshackle
a American enterprise and ingenuity
hat will open the doors of foreign
markets to the reception of our wares
and give opportunity for the coutinu-
ous and remunerative employment of |
American labor.
With materials cheapened by their |
reedom from tariff charges the cost of |
heir production must be correspond |
ngly cheapened. Thereupon justice |
and fairness to the consumer would |
iemand that the manufacturers be |
obliged to submit TO such q readiust-
nent aud modification of the tariffs |
lpon their finished goods as would Sc |
cure to the people the benefit of the |
'educed cost of their manufacture and |
hield the consumer against the exact |