The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-12-23
THE JOINT COMMITTEE.

While the attention of the country at
large, particularly that portion of its Elec-
tors who cast their suffrages for Ruther-
ford B. Hayes on the eth of November last,
and who, believing him to have received a
legal majority of the votes cast in the State
Electoral Colleges, expect to see him peacea-
bly, inaugurated President of the United
States, on the fifth day of March next, is
being called to the overture of the Lower
House of Congress for the appointment of
a joint Congressional committee to consider
the difficulties that are supposed to sur
round the counting of the Electoral vote,
it may be well to consider moment the
conditions under which the House of Rep
resentatives makes the proposition. In
der ordinary circumstances it might be pre-
sumed that the object sought was prompted
by sincere desire to harmonize differences,
restore public confidence, and allay the un-
healthy and dangerous excitement attend
ant upon political contest in Congress,
involving SO imminently the peace of the
nation. A glance, however, at the situa-
ton will be sufficient to convince any i'm
partial observer of passing political events,
that the object the Democratic leaders have
in view, is not the harmonious adjustment
of the question at issue, irrespective of
party results, but that the proposition for
a joint committee is simply party lob, y
to be accomplished, if possible, solely in
the interest of, and for the benefit of, Mr.
Tiden in his aspirations for the Presidency
Besides, when party interests are SO init
mately involved, it is impossible to expect
that men SO closely identified with the
Presidential contest in all its phases. can,
by the force of their own wills, dlvest them
selves of their partisan bias, and give the
subject the calm, dignitied, and dispassion-
ate consideration that its Importance de-
mands. Never before, possibly, in the po-
litical history of the country, has party pas
sion been more deeply stirred than now.
The dominant party in Congress has out
done even itself in its display of political
intolerance; presided over by man whose
whole Congressional career has been distin-
guished by the narrowcst and most violent
partisanship. Rejected for the Speakership
in 1915, because he was Extensively unscru-
pulous, selected for the same position
in 1876, solely because he was unscrupu-
lous, and recognizing in the office he
fills a powerful agent in serving the party
that placed him there, can Samuel J. Ran
dali, in selecting his party" representa-
tives for the proposed committee, be ex-
pected to select men SO high above his own
level as not to reflect the groveling part-
sanship that disgraces him. 1t is idle to
suppose that the House representation on
the proposed committee would display such
elevated craftsmanship as would overlook
the individual interests of Mr.. Tilden in
the adjustment OF great and important pc
litical questions. Democratic members of
Congress are not made of the stuff out of
which this high order of statesmen is pro-
duced, and there is nothing in the record
of the present House to promise such a
realization. For the simple reason then
that men cannot voluntarily lay aside their
partisan feelings and preferences, it is I'M
reasonable to expect any modification or
revision of existing law, while the electoral
result is pending and undetermined. What
ever modification OK changes might be pro-
posed would be viewed solely with refer
ence to their immediate effect upon party
fortunes, and not with regard to their de
sirableness when viewed legally or equita-
bly,. The Democratic authorities in and
oat of Congress interpret law solely as ex-
pounded by Tilden for Tilden's own politi-
cal benefit. They would do no less on the
proposed joint committee. Failing to &C
complish the fulfillment of the Tilden pro-
gramme, his adhereuts on the committee
would readily deny the necessity of its ex-
istence. In its proposed object the Demo-
Gratis have every thing to gain, if either
side can be advantaged at all. Fortified by
law precedent, and the right of the case at
issue, the Republicans have every thing to
lose if they surrender one inch of the ground
they now hold. 1t is question of pluck
solely SO far as they are concerned, and if
they maintain the position they now hold,
the realization of all they claim is merely
a question of time.