The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1894-09-05
CLEVELAND.
A Letter Expressing His Views
Sent to Representative
Catchings.
The Bill Denounced as Not in
Keeping with Democratic
Reform.
THE WAR NOT ENDED.

| WASHINGTON, ID. o., August 27.-The
President to-day sent the following letter
to Representative Catchings, of Mississip-
pi, who consented to its publication in
view OF its public character and import
ance:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, ID.
c., August %, 1894 Hon. II. G. Catch
ings My Dear Sr-Snce the converse
ton had with you and Mr.. Clark, of
Alabama, few days ago in regard TO my
action upon the tariff bill now before
us, | have given the subject further and
most serious consideration. The result
is, am more determined than ever to
allow the bill to become a 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 the Congress, nothing
was further from my anticipation than a
result which l could not promptly and
enthusiastically indorse. 1t is, therefore
with feeling of the utmost disappoint-
ment that submit to a denial OF this
privilege.
do not claim to be better than the
masses Of my party, nor do 1 wish to
avoid any responsibility which, on ac-
count Of the passage of this law, ought
to bear as member OF the Democratic
organization; neither will be permitted
to be separated from my party to such an
extent as might be implied by my veto
of the tariff legislation, which, though
disappointing, is still chargeable to Dem
ocratic effort. But there are provisions
in this bill which are not in line with
honest tariff reform, and it contains in
consistencies and crudities which ought
not to appear in tariff laws, or laws of
any kind. Besides, there were, as you
and l well know incidents accompanying
the passage OF the bill through Congress
which made every sincere reformer un-
happy, while influences surrounded it in
its final construction, which ought not
to be recognized or tolerated in Demo-
cratic reform councils.
a VAST IMPROVEMENT.
And yet, notwithstanding all its vicis-
STUDIES and all the bad treatment, it re-
ceived at the hands OF pretended friends,
it presents vast improvement to exist
ing conditions. II will certainly tighten
many tariff burdens that now rest heav-
lily upon the people. 1t is not only
barrier against the return of mad
protection, but it furnishes vantage
ground from which must be waged furth-
er aggressive operations against protect
ed monopoly and governmental favorit-
ism.
| take my place with the rank and. file
OF the Democratic party, who believe in
tariff reform, and who know what it is /;
who refuse to accept the results embod-
led in this bill as the close OF the war
who are not blinded to the fact that the
livery OF Democratic tariff reform has |
been stolen and worn in the service 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-th COM
munism of pelf-whose Vaccinations |
have prevented us from reaching the |
success We deserve, should not be for
gotten or forgiven. We shall recover
from our establishment attheirexhibition |
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 the people must obey,
we will accept and settle the issue as one
involving the integrity and safety OF |
American institutions.
| love the principles OF true Democracy
because they are founded in patriotism |
and upon justice and fairness toward all
interests am proud OF my party organ
ization, because il is conservatively
sturdy and persistent in the enforcement
OF its principles. Therefore, do not de-
spair 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 mod
iacations as will more nearly meet Dem
ocratic hopes and aspirations.
FREE RAW MATERIALS.
can not be mistaken as to the neces-
sity OF free raw materials as the founda-
ton 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 II 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 100000 Of unnecessary
revenue.