The new American Tariff has come into operation. Presi- dent
Cleveland on Monday addressed a letter to Mr. Catchings, one of the Democratic Representatives for Mississippi, giving- his reasons for not approving the Bill, but merely allowing it to become law by taking no action thereon. The letter gives evidence of strong feeling. The President says that the pro- visions of the Bill are not consistent with honest tariff reform, and that the livery of Democratic reform was stolen and worn in the service of Republican Protection. Still, the new law is a vast improvement on the existing conditions, and will lighten many of the burdens now weighing upon the people. He does not despair of having modifications made which will more nearly meet Democratic hopes. Free raw materials are the foundation of any sensible tariff reform. The party must continue the struggle boldly, challenging open warfare, and constantly guarding against treachery and half-hearted- ness in their own camp. The letter is regarded, says the Philadelphia correspondent of the Times, as somewhat hasty and impolitic. We doubt that. The President sees that the battle of tariff for revenue only against Protection is by no means over, and that the opponents of Protection must not think that their efforts can be relaxed. His letter is intended to act as a rallying-cry.
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