The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-19

free raw materials does not admit OF adjust
ment on any middle ground. since their sub
lection TO any rate of tariff tax-tion. great or
small IL alike violative Of Democratic prin-
ciple and Democratic good faith.
! hope that you will not consider II intru-
sive II say something In relation TO another
subject which can hardly fail TO be trouble
some TO the conference. / refer 70 the ao-
justment Of tariff taxation on sugar.
Under our party platform and In accordance
with our declared party purposes. sugar is
legitimate and logical article OF
revenue taxation. Unfortunately, how
ever, incidents have accompanied Ger,
tain stages of the legislation which VIII
be subm tted y the conference that nave
aroused I'm connection with u subject hh.
ural Democratic animonty TO the methoos
and manipulations Of trusts and combina-
tions.
confess TO sharing In this feeling. and yet
II seems To mo we ought. II possible. 10 sum
GENTLY frGe ourseiy6s from prejudice 10
enable us coolly TO weigh the CONSIDERATIONS
which In formulating tariff legislation ought
10 guide our treatment of sugar as taxable
article.
While no tenderness should be entertained
towards trusts. and while l am decidedly OPP
posed TO granting them, under the guise OF
tariff taxation, any opportunity TO further
their peculiar methods, / suggest thAt
we ought not To be driven away
from the Democratic principle and policy we
may indirectly and inordinately encourage a
combination of sugar refining interests.
know that In present conditions this is
delicate subject and appreciate ihe depth
and strength Of feeling which its treat
ment has aroused. l do not believe
we should do evil that good may come, but IL
seems to me that we should not forget
that our aim Is completion OF
tariff bill and that In taxing sugar for
proper purposes and within reasonable
bounds. whatever else may be said OF our
action, we are In no danger Of running coun-
ter To Democratic principle.
With all there Is at stake. there must be In
the treatment Of this article some ground
| upon which we are all willing to stand, where
| toleration and concliation may be allowed TO
solve the problem, without demanding the
| entire surrender of fixed and conscientious
| convictions.
ought not 10 prolong this letter. IL what
] have written is unweicome, beg Of you to
| bell we In my good intentions.
| In the conclusions OF the con-
| ference touching the numerous item
| which will be considered. the people are
| not raid that their interests will be neglect
ed. They know that the general result so far
as they are concerned will be TO place high
| necessaries and comforts more easily within
| their reach and TO ensure better and surer
| compensation to those who toll.
We all know that tariff covering all the
Il varleu lnteTcbts anu CoutBtlonS oi a. teuhtiy
! as vast as ours must of Necessity be largely
| the result Of honorable adjustment and com
| promise.
| expect very few OF us can saw. when our
| measure is perfected. that all Its features are
| entirely as we would prefer. You know how
| much deprecated the Incorporation in the
| proposed bill, of the income tax feature. In
| matters OF this kind. however, which do not
violate fixed and recognized
Democratic doctrine. We are will
ing TO defer To the judgment "
| n majority OF our Democratic brethren.
think there Is general agreement
that this is party duty. This is more
palpably apparent when we realize that the
business of our country timidly stands and
watches for the result OF our efforts to perfect
tariff legislation. that a quick ana certain
return OF prosperity waits upon wise ad-
justment and that a confding people still
trust IN our hands their prosperity and well
| being.
The Democracy Of the land plead mos
earnestly for the speedy completion of the
tariff legislation which their representa-
tives have undertaken; but they
| demanded not less earnestly tha
no tress of necessity shall tempt those
they trust to the abandonment Of Democratic
principle. Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.