Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-31
CLEVELAND ON TARIFF
Ex-PRESIDENT DELIVERS SPEECH
AT MoRRIsTowN, M
Quotes From His Messages to Congress
on Subject-Was Not a
Free Trader

A dispatch from Morristown n J.. last
light says: Former President Cleveland
spoke here tonight to a political meeting
held in Lyceum Hall Special trains
brought hundreds of people from other
cities and towns in this vicinity, and Mr..
Cleveland was given an ovation
Following the meeting there was a nom
partisan reception to Mr. Cleveland. at
which about 30 prominent residents of
this city were present. Mr.. Cleveland said,
in part:
Il fully recognize the natural order of
things which brings changes in political
leadership and counsel, and I do not as
sumo 10 have a place in either role: but
nothing, I care not what. can drive or
tempt me from my adherence to the I'M
aduiterated, wholesome and beneficial prin-
ciples of genuine democracy / am told
that these principles of the good old-fa
Toned New Jersey brand are involved in a
canvass here pending in my native state
and in the state delight to call my home;
and l have INDUCED my desire to come here
and enjoy the stimulation and pleasure
which have never failed to find in hearty
and harmonious democratic struggle.
= am especially pleased to learn that
tariff reform has been made the principal
issue in the canvass you have in hand
Never within my observation or expert
ence has there been a time when this
honestly pressed upon the attention of our
countrymen than now.
"Of course, custom duties must continue
to be the source of government mainte-
nance until another plan is devised; but a
tariff constructed for the purpose of pro-
lection as its chief object is at all times
and in every feature Of it an unjust and
unfair burden upon the masses of our peo-
pie; but the bold and arrogant develop
ments of It's unfairness and injustice in re-
cent years and the new directions they
have taken ought to especially arrest the
attention and apprehenSions of every
thoughtful, sober-minded citizen.
1T was not long ago that the demo-
cratic party, in advocating the reduction
of tariff taxation to the revenue needs of
the government, based its insistence large
ly upon the right and justice of cheaper
ing for the masses of our people the prices
of the necessities of life and withdraw
ing so much protection from a favored
few manufactures as allowed them alb
normal profits at the expense of the great
body of consumers. But the exactions from
the people on account of protection were
made in such a stealthy and unobserved
manner, by adding them to their daily pur-
chases, that it was difficult to impress
upon the consumers of the land the extent
of these eXactions.
while this process was going on i'm
ported articles not produced in this coun-
try were charged with such high rates Of
duty not only to greatly enhance their
cost to the purchasing consumer but to
create surplus revenue beyond its needs
In the government treasury. This surplus
represented clearly and definitely small
proportion of the unnecessary added ex-
penSeS of the living of our people on ac-
count of high protection, and its aggregate
was ascertaina BILE, but the amount of the
exaction thus represented was Insignificant
as compared with the amount which protec-
ton permitted our own manufacturers to
pocket from the consumer"
Mr.. Cleveland then quoted at length from
his messages to Congress on the tariff ques-
ton in 1887, and concluded by saying:
LESS than a year after this announce
ment of democratic doctrine 1t was made
a target for all sorts of attack in presi-
Dental election. The tinid were assured
that absolute free trade would follow demo-
cratic success; that the importers paid the
customs taxes, and, above all, that If any
revision or change was expedient, It should
be intrusted to the friends of the traif. The
people were persuaded to continue these
friends in political control, and they forth
with constructed a new scheme of high
protection. The advanced growth of the
arrogance and greediness of tariff bene-
ficiaries and the kindness shown them by
these friends of the tariff as exhibited in
this scheme, demonstrated how confidently
they relied upon the continuance of the peo-
pies credulity which they had so recently
and successfully tested. The bill then
passed was so full of denominations and so
plainly showed the heedlessness of its au-
thors and beneficiarfes. and their disregard
of the interests of the people, that the vot-
ers of the land, though accustomed to yield
ing to tariff delusion, We're prompt in their
revenge and condemnation
1T might naturally be supposed that SO
violent blow as was then given would
admonish, If it did not reform, these pro-
motors of selfish tariff benefits. This, how
ever, was by no means in accord with their
natures, nor in agreement with their machi-
nations AS unregenerate ever, arro-
CANT as ever, and hoping as confidently as
ever for the time when the people could
again be laid away by false lights. they
sullenly surrendered control of govern
mental policies and laid in wait for their
opportunity. The lamentable conditions
which quickly gave this opportunity are
of democratic misfortunes or miscarriage,
but to call attention to the unyielding ten.
acity of hgh-tariff rapacity and arrogance,
and to the manner in which they grow ana
develop whenever they have an opportunity.
II have heard it said upon excellent au-
thority that expectant benefciarfes under
the existing tariff laws-made by it's
friends-were actually allowed to construct
the schedule by which they expected to
profit This was quite in keeping with the
color and complexion of the entire scheme.
IF you believe In giving the consumers
of this land a better chance; IL you believe
in removing the letters of trusts and COM
binations from the limbs of American free
dom of individual endeavor, and IL you de-
sire to enforce in public life more unselfsh-
ness, more fairness, more equality and a
more sensitive regard for the peoples we'll
in all these things by the election to Con-
gress of the young, vigorous and intelligent
nominee of the democracy of the district"