The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-08-30
MIR. CLEVELAND Oh THE TARIFF.

zeal and Sensible Tariff Reform
Continue the Struggle to the End.
WAsHIxGToN, Aug. 27.-President Cl-ve
land has written the following letter to
Representative Catchings, OF Mississippi,
in which he sets forth his views OF the
new tariff law, and gives his reasons lor
not approving the bill:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
WAsmNGTON, -. e., Aug. -, 1891.
Hon. r. e. CHtchtngs:
My DEAR SIR Since the conversation
| had with Won and Mr. Clark, Of Ala
bama, a few days ago in regard to my
action Oh 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 deter
nination to allow the bill to become a
law without my signature.
When reformation oflegisIation which
it was hoped would embody Democratic
ideas of tariff reform, was lately entered
upon by the Congress, nothing was
further from my anticipation than a re-
suit which | could not promptly and en-
Enthusiastically endorse. 1t il, therefore,
with IL feeling OF the utmost disappOint-
ment that submit to a denial OF this
privilege.
HE STANDS BY HIS PARTY.
do not claim to be better than the
masses Of my party, nor do | wish to
avoid any responsibility, which, on ac-
count of the passage OF this law, | ought
to bear as q member Of the Democratic
organization, neither will | permit my
sell to be separated from my party to
such an extent rs might be implied by
e
though disappointing, is still chargeabe
to Democratic effort. But there are pro-
visions in this bill which are not in line
with honest tariff reform, and it contains
Inconsistencies and crudities which ought
not to appear i'll tariff laws, or laws Of
any kind. Besides there were, as you
and well know, incidents accompanying
the passage of the bill through the Con-
press, which made every sincere tariff re
former unhappy, while influences sur
rounded it in its latter stages and inter
fered with its final construction which
ought not to be recognized CT tolerated
in Democratic tariff reform councils. And
yet, notwithstanding all it's vicissitudes
and all the hard treatment it received at
the hands OF pretended friends, it pre-
SCENTS IL vast Improvement to existing
many tariff burdens that now rest heavily
upon the people. 1t is not only a barrier
against the return OF mad protection,
but it furnishes il vantage ground from
which must be waged further aggressive
operations against protected monopoly
and governmental faVOritlSm.
LIVERY OF TARIFF REFORM STOLEN.
/ 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 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 Repub-
lican protection, and 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 cOmbinatiOns-the com
muniOn of pelf-whose Vaccinations
have prevented us from reaching the sue
cess we deserved, should not be forgotten
or forgiven.
We shall recover from our aStOniSh-
iu"nt at their exhibition of power, and if
chen the question is forced upon us
whether they shall submit to the free
legislative Will OF the peoples representa-
tivcS or shall dictate the laws which the
people must obey, we will accept and
settle that issue rs one involving the in
trgrity and safety OF American institu-
TONS.
FREE RAW MATERIALS.
love the principles of true Democracy,
because they are founded i'll patriotism
and upon Justice and fairness towards
all interests. am proud of my party
organization, because its conservatively
sturdy and persistent in the enforcement
of its principles. Therefore, do not de-
spalr 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 mOdi-
ticatiOns as will more nearly meet Demo-
cratic hopes and aspirations. can not
be mistaken as to the necessity of free
raw materials as the foundation of logi-
cal and sensible tariff reform The ex-
tent to which this is recognized in the
legislation already secured is one of its
encouraging and redeeming features
but 1T Is yeXatlOuS to recall that while
free coal and iron ore have heen denied
us, II recent letter of the Secretary of the
Treasury discloses the fact that both
surrender of only about 500, 900 of I'M
necessary revenue.
| am sure that there is common habit
of Understanding the Importance OF
free raw materials in tariff legislation,
| and OF regarding them rs only related to
| concessions to be made to our manu-
facturers. The truth is, their influence
is so far reaching, that if disregarded q
complete and beneficent scheme of tariff
reform can not be successfully inaugur-
ated.
When we give to our manufacturers
Tree raw materials we unShackle Amer-
can enterprises and ingenuity, and these
| Will open the doors OF foreign markets to
the reception OF our wares and give OPP
pOrtunty for the continuous and re-
| munerative employment of American
labor.
THE EFFECT.
With materials cheapened by their free
dom from tariff charges, the cost OF their
product must be correspondence cheap
ened. ThereupOn Justice and fairness to the
consumer would demand that the manu-
facturers be obliged to submit to such a
readjustment and modification of the
tariff upon their finished goods as would
secure to the people the benefit of the
reduced cost of their manufacture, and
shield the consumer against the eNaction
OF inOrdinate profits.
1t will thus be seen that free raw mate
rails and a just and fearless regulation
and reduc ton of the tariff to meet the
changed conditions would carry to every
humble home in the land the blessings of
increased 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
treachery 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 people.
Yours very truly.
(Slgned) GROVER CLEVELAND.
A Card Of Thanks.
Nj