Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-09-05

bill to become law without my |
signature.
"When the formulation Of legis-
lation 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 enthusi-
astically indorse.
at is, therefore, with feeling of
the utmost disappointment that
/ submit to denial ofthis privilege.
| do not claim to be better than the
masses of my party, nor do | wish
to avoid any responsibility which,
on account of passage of this law,
| ought to bear as 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 dis
appointing, is still chargeable to
Democratic effort.
"But there are provisions in this
bill which are not in line with hon.
est tariff reform, and it contains
inconsistencies and crudities which
ought not to appear in tariff laws
or laws of any kind. Besides, there
were, as you and | we'll know, Incl
dents accompanying the passage of
the bill through congress, which
made every sincere reformer I'M
happy, while influences surrounded
it in its later stages and interfered
with its final construction, which
ought not to be recognized or toll
Grated in Democratic tariff reform
councils.
sand yet, Notwithstanding all its
vicissitudes and all the bad treat
ment it received at the hands of
pretended friends, it presents vast
improvement to existing conditions.
1t will certainly Tighten many tariff
burdens that now rest heavily up
on the people. 1t is not only a
barrier against the return of protec-
ton but it furnishes a vantage
ground from which you must
wage further aggressive operations
against protected monopoly and
governmental favoritism.
81 take my place with the rank
and file of the Democratic party
who believe in tariff reform and
know what it is, who refuse to ac-
cept the results embodied 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.
81 am sure that there Is a common
habit of Understanding the i'm
portance of free raw materials in
tariff legislation, and of regarding
them as only related to concessions
to be made to our manufactures
The truth is, their influence is so
far-reaching that, If disregarded, a
complete and beneficent scheme of
tariff reform cannot be successfully
inaugurated
"When we give to our manufact-
ures free raw materials, we I'M
shackle American enterprise and
ingenuity, and these will open the
doors OF foreign markets to the re-
ception OF our wares and give oppor-
tunity for the continuous and re-
munerative employment of Ameri-
can labor.
"With materials cheapened by
their freedom from tariff charges
the cost of their product must
be correspondingly cheapened.-
Thereupon justice and fairness to
the consumer will demand that the
manufacturers be obliged to submit
to such readjustment and mod
ification Of the tariff upon their
finished goods as would secure to
the people the benefit of the re-
duced cost Of their manufacture
and shield the consumer against the
exactions of inordinate profits.
1T will thus be seen that free
raw materials and a just and fearless
regulation and reduction of the
tariff to meet the changed conditions
would carry to every humble home
in the land the blessings of in
creased comfort and cheaper living.
"The millions of our countrymen
who have fought bravely and well
for tariff reform should be exhorted
to continue the struggle, boldly
challenging to open warfare and
constantly guarding against treach-
cry and half-heartedness in their
camp.
Tariff reform will not be settled
until it is honestly and fairly settled
in the interest and to the benefit
of a patient and long-suffering