Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-08
Speaker Blaine IS Whipping-po
From the Chicago Tribune, Dec. 10.

views as 10 the ABSURD demands that were
made on Speaker Blaine to exclude Credit
Moollier Congressman and those accepting
"back pay from all places of influence on
committees. We observe that large por-
ton of the Democratic press, with here
and there a Republican paper. keep up
these criticisms since the committees were
announced.
The persons aimed at as Credit Mobiier
Congressman are Messrs Dawes, Kelley.
Garfield. and Scofied, generally recogniz-
ed rs among the ablest men in Congress.
OF their actual guilt or innocence in the
matter charged We here avouch nothing.
A committee of investigation, after three
months labor. reported nothing against
any one OF them. Some individual men,
bers OF the House, not satisfied with the
conclusions of the committee, introduced
resolutions of censure, and those were
promptly and almost Indignantly laid upon
the table. by vote SO overwhelming that
we believe the yeas and nays were not ev-
Ell asked for. Now, under these circum-
stances, will any one tell us on what
ground Speaker Blaine could constitute
himself Judge. and proceed to admins
ter a sentence Of severe punishment with
ont verdict of guilty being found nay,
more. after verdict OF acquittal and ex
oneration had been found by the only tri-
bunal, aside from their constituencies,
competent to try the alleged offenders.
But the exercise of such discretion on
the part of the Speaker becomes still more
absurd when it is applied TO the salary.
grabbers. The same papers that demand
ell the dis-ranking OF the Credit Mobilierties
demanded, with still louder voice, the de-
capitaton of all who took back pay. Now,
if this policy had been followed by the
Speaker. it would have involved the dis
placement from all important committees
of well-nigh four-iiflhs of all the old men,
bers who were re-elected-for of all the
entire l25 scarcely thirty refused 10 take
the back pay. These wise gentlemen, who
have as fully instructed the Speaker as to
his duty in organizing the House. would
have had him pass a judgment which be-
longs wholly and solely to the constituent
cy. speaker Blaine himself, promptly and
conclusively. and in advance, divorced
himself from all connection with back pay.
That for himself was well aud wise. aud il
would have been well and wise had others
followed his example. But for him TO set
up a public conscience-keeper and whip
ping-post TO administer the punishment
which the back-pay men will in due time
get from their constituents. would have
been arrogant; presumptous. and unprece-
denied
When the members were sworn in ON
the first day of the session. it wa. found
that ility-two Of thcm-nearly Une-iifih Of
the edtlre House-were compelled TO take
the modified oath by reason Of their psrti-
cipation in the rebellion. Here are fifty
two men. headed by the Vice President OF
the rebel Confedcracy, forgiven, amnes-
tied, and restored 10 civil rights. We
have observed in some papers sharp out
cry against putting any of these men on
committees of Importance. Is though the
Speaker had the slightest right to 90 back
OF The amnesty and seek Ia punish the indi-
Nldual crIme-and certainly their crime
was IN it, essence the darkest aud deepest
citizen can commit. Some over-Eealuu-
Republicans feel very sore that Alexander
ii. stephens and l. .. {. Lamar should be
on prominent committees, though we OBJ
serve that some Democratic papers tina,
icrociously sssail Dawes and Garfield.
welcome our Southern brethren with open
arms 10 places of honor.
Thus. in looking over the whole field.
We tind from one quarter 4 cry that no man
whose name was even remotely associated
with Credit MobUier should have any rec
o@nlzatlon on committees; from another
quarter comes the demand with still more
'NtttaHtHSS AlAt ~ lildil VI huf uulIEttl OF
more who took the back pay should be
allowed any voice on committees. Still
another phase of opinion cries out that no
one OF the iifty-two members who. by his
inability 10 take the iron-clad oath. openly
avowed that he had been a rebel against
the Government, shall have any place of
honor whatever in the organization OF the
House. Now. pray tell us. gentlemen.
who should Speaker Blaine appoint on
committees: BY your cries and denuucia-
tions you would have him disfranchise we'll
nigh two-thirds of the entire body and els-
waite his individual Judgment over law. and
right, and usage. The Speaker might jus;
a. well say that the members of the classes
referred 10 should not be heard in debate
or vote on roll-call, as TO declare that they
should have no voice or vote on commit
tees where the legisa alton is really and eff
fectually shaped aud set led. Upon what
authority. pray. would Speaker Blaine pro
coed to practically disfranchi,e POO con-ti-
tuences from their proper representa- ton
IN the councils of the nation!
In conclusion. the whole matter rest.
with the constituency in the first place
who elect the member. and in the
second place with the House, who can
ccnsure or expel him. But member
regularly elected and duly sworn in,
Who has in 10 measure received the
ccnsure or di>approOation of the House. is
entitled TO full. fair. and complete recoani-
ton al the speakers hands. Il is idle To
shout a. against any member that he was
accused by somebody OF dealing in Credit
Mobilier stock; it is idle TO say that he
took the back pay, a. nearly the entire
House did it is idle to say that he VA,
rebel and fought a. anst the Government
IA the hour Of its EXTREMIST peril. All
these facts are legitimate considerations
for the constituency when the man i a
candidate, or for the House when the man
Is sworn in: but. being elected and sworn
IN, the Speaker has no possible right TO ill.,
terpose any discrimination whatever TO
have followed the sage advice OF some
newspapers on the points involved. Speak
er Blaine would have compelled TO practi-
cally disfranchise nearly 200 Representa-
tive districts-or well nigh two-thirdS of
the United States-irom all effective voice
IN the national legislation. The country
may well be thankful that Speaker Blaine
did not commit himself TO such an indefen-
slOle course; but that, having full knowl-
edge OF the laws OF parliamentary organiz-
otlon. he had the courage and the sense to
follow these laws and let the clamor eX-
hAust Itself with its own folly.
a