The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-28
THE WILSON LuJTER NOTHING HUT
ME. CLEyELAND's LIFELONG OffN-

THE WILSON, LITTER NOTHING Eti
MIR CJFyULAND's LIFELONG OrfN-
IONS.
We have heard the President ccnsured
for making concessions I'm his letter TO
Mr.. Wilson to the sugar demands If the
censure implied no moro than charge
Of had judgment we should have nothing
10 say. But there turks behind 1t the
insinuation Of a possible connection with
the Sugar Trust. We have absolute con-
Gdence in the integrity and good falth
Of Mr. Cleveland. and we think That al
good citizens having that confidence
should defend him when assaults OF TINS
sort are made upon him, and especially
when that defence can be so easily ana
so triumphantIy made as in this case
Whoever has paid any attention TO Ar
Cleveland's public career knows that ITS
leading idea has been devotion TO the
purpose to reduce tariff taxation. lie an
nounced this very early in his career anu
he has held on to II with all the peril
nacity and f1rmness Of his character lie
has had a perfectly distinct plan Tor
securing this reduction With which We
do not wholly agree and he has been
as faithful 60 that plan as 20 the pur-
pose itself. He reasoned from the outset
thus: Here said he are all these indus
tries of the country, controlling millions
Of men and thousands Of millions Of dol
lars which have been receiving the bene-
fits Of nigh tariff taxation. If these in
terests are attacked fat they will all
combine and make 1t impossible to reduce
taxation at any point. The only way re
-. l. 20 -
! compensation for it. If. then, we give
| them free wool, free lumber. free iron ana
| free coal, we viii reduce the cost of Their
| manufacture TO such an extent that they
| will agree to a reduction of duties on
| manufactured goods, and thus the peo-
pie viii get all the necessaries of life far
cheaper than under system of high
duties. This. said he IS the only way We
can ever get the tariff taxes reduced. and
in this way we can get them reduced.
| Ills reference TO sugar In his letter to
Mr.. Wilson amounts TO no more than
this: 1t is equivalent to his saying, Re
member. Mr.. Wilson, the great end which
we have in view IS to secure reduction
Of duties by giving manufacturers free
| raw materials. We must let no slight Cd
| stacle stand IN the way Of that great
| end We all agree that sugar may prop
| erly be taxed, and, If the whole matter
| in dispute is no more than the rate at
which il should be taxed, we should be
prepared TO make considerable concessions
| rather than have our great work inter
fered with by what is at last mere tritle
in comparison with the whole we quote
from his letter TO Mr.. Wilson all that he
said about sugar to show that that IS
what is meant and that that is all that
was meant. lie said:
| 81 hone that YOU Will not consider II
intrusive If say something IN relatioi,
| TO another subject which can hardly fail
| TO be troublesome TO the conference. l
| refer TO the adjustment Of tariu taxation
on sugar. Under our party platform and
| in accordance with our declared party
| purposes sugar is a legitimate and logical
! article OF revenue taxation. Unfortunate
ly, however. incidents have accompanted
! certain stages of the legislation, which
viii be submitted TO the conference, that
have aroused in connection with this sub
jeCt natural Democratic anmOStty 10
the methods and manipulations of trusts
and combinations. | confess 10 sharing
in this feeling. and yet II seems TO me
we ought. If possible sufficiently 10 free
ourselves from prejudice to enable us
cOOlly to weigh the considerations which
in formulating tariff legislation ought to
guide our treatment Of sugar as taxable
article
tanned for trusts. and while am decided
Iy opposed 10 granting them, under Inc
Euise Of tariff taxation, any opportunity
10 further their peculiar methods ] sug
gest that we ought not to be driven away
from the Democratic principle and policy
which lead TO the taxation of sugar by
the fear. quite likely exaggerated. tha
in CARRYING out this principle and policy
we must directly and Unfortunately en-
! courage a combination OF sugar-reinlns
I | interests. l know that in present con
ditions, this is delicate subject ana
| feelings which its treatment has aroused
, 1 do not believe we should DO evii ina
. we should not forget that our aim is th'
< | completion of a tariff BILL and that II
r taxing sugar for proper purposes anC
within reasonable bounds. whatever els'
may be said Of our action. we are In NJ
. | danger of running counter TO Democrats
While all this is at stake there mus
I | be in the treatment Of this article SOM
I | ground upon which we are willing L
! stand. where liberation and Cancellation
may be allowed 10 solve the problem with
, out demanding the entire surrender o
g | fixed and conscientious convictions"
Now we submit that no candid maj
can read this and deny that what W
: have pointed out is its purpose and it,
whole purpose
We proceed now to show that Mr.
|
| tariff were an expression Of the view
which we have attributed 10 him. an,
that his letter to Mr. Wilson IS nothinl
but a repetition Of those long-chershe,
views We quote from his message Il
Congress in December. 1887. the messag
. which started the whole tariff contro
. versy. After arguing 10 show why dutie
\ should be reduced, he continued:
Nor can the, presentation made o
such considerations be, with any degre
= Of fairness. regarded as evidence of I'm
+ | friendliness toward our manufacturing in
q ! terests. or OF any lack of appreciation
of their value and Importance.
= These interests constitute leading an
t most substantial element Of our natiOna
n greatness and furnish the proud proc
, OF our countrys progress. But II. In IN
J. emergency that presses upon u.s. on
e manufacturers are asked 20 surrende
: something Of the public good to aver
;, disaster. their patriotism as well as
y greatful recognition Of advantages al
e ready afforded, should lead them to Will
4 | Ing cooperation. 4. The radIca
~ reduction OF the duties imposed upo
- raw materials used i'm manufactures O
Its free importation, Is. Of course. a