Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1894-08-29
STATES HIS REASONS.
Why Cleveland Did Not Sign
 the Tariff Bill.
A LETTER TO MR. 0AToHINGs.

th0 Democratic Party-That @rarim Re
 form WnI Not Re Settled Until It Is
 Honestly Settled"
 WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s The presi- dent Monday sent the following letter to Mr. Catchings of Mississippi, who consented to its publication in view of its public character and importauce:
 EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 1894.-Hon. T. c. Catchings: My Dear Sir-Siuee 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, l have given the subject further and most serious consideration. The result is am more settled than ever in the de- termination to allow the bill to become law without my signature.
 "When the formulation of Legislation which it was hoped would embody Dem- ocratic ideas of tariff reform was lately entered upon by congress, nothing was further from my anticipation than re- suit which I could not promptly and en- thusiastically indorse. It is therefore, with feeling of the utmost disappoint- msnt that submit to denial of this privilege.
 T do not claim to be better than the masses of my party, nor do I wish to avoid ang responsibility which, on ac- count of the passage of this law, ought to bear ss member of the Democratic organization; neither will 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 provisions in this bill which are not in line with honest tariff reform, and it contains inconsistencies and erudities which ought not to appear in tariff laws, or laws of any kind. Be- sides there were, as you and we'll know, incidents accompanying the passage of the bill through congress which made every sincere reformer unhappy while influences surrounding it in its later stages, and interfered with it's final con- struction, which ought not to be recog- nized or tolerated in Democratic tariff reform councils.
 aAnd yet, notwithstanding all it's vi- cissitudes and the bad knocks 1t received at the hands of it's pretended friends, it presents vast improvement to existing conditions. It will certainly tighten many tariff burdens that now rest hsav- fly upon the people. 1t is not only barrier against the return of mad pro- lection, but 1t furnishes vantage ground from which must be wsged fur ther aggressive operations against pro- tectsd monopoly and governmental fa- vorssisuA
 II 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 refused to accept the re- suits embodied in this bill at the close of the WAT; who are not blinded to the fact that the livery of Democratic reform has been stolen and worn in the service of Republican protection; 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-th communism of pelf-whose machina~ tions prevented us from reaching the success we deserve, should not be for gotten or forgiven. We shall recover from our astonishInent at their exhibi- tion 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 dictate the laws which fhe people must obey, we will accept and settle that issue as one involving the integrity and safety of American institutions.
 Il love principles of true Democracy because they are founded in patriotism and justice and fairness toward all in- terests. I am proud of my party organ ization because it is conservatively sturdy and persistent in the enforcement VI tntSc IuCICAOEG 0O lOb despair of the efforts made by the house of representatives to supplement the bill already passed by further legislation, aud to have engrafted upon it such mod ifieations as will more nearly meet Dem oeratie hopes and asperations.
 "I cannot be mistaken as to the neces- sity of free raw materials as the founda- tion 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 feat ures.
 ''The millions of our countrymen who have fought bravely and we'll fer tariff reform shonld be exhorted to continue the struggle boldly challenging to open warfare and constantly guarding against treschery and halfheartedness in their camp.
 Tariff reform will not be settled until it Is honestly and fairly set tied. in the interest and to the benefit of patient and long suffering people. Yours very truly,
 'GRoyER CLEVELAND"
 VIII Not Sit During Recess.
 WAsaIsGToS, Aug. 29.--The senate committee on rules will not sit during