The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-01-25
RANDOM THOUGHTS.


My readers know that / have always
thought written constitutions are de-
lusion and a snare. In Great Britain
they have no written constitution. but
Parliament is supreme Now suppose
our Congress had the same powers. The
Presidential question could be settled at
once, and il not settled justly, out would
90 the party guilty of the injustice. If
the proposed compromise shall prevail,
it will bring not only the Constitution,
but the Judges of the Supreme Court
who consent to act, into utter contempt.
i will show that Congress disregards the
Constitution, and arrogates to itself the
powers of the British Parliament.
/ think no Judge will degrade himself
by consenting to act upon the compro-
mise scheme. learn that Chief Justice
Waite says he will have nothing to do
with it. If the proposition was to LET
the Supreme Court decide, it would have
some show of fairness and honesty; but
four or five Judges are not the Court
The Constitution, Article III, Section ],
says:
1 The judicial power OF the United States
shall be vested in one supreme court, and ~
such inferior courts as the Congress may, IRON
time TO time, ordain and establish. The judges
both of the supreme and inferior courts, shal
hold their offices during good behaVlori ant
shall at stated times, receive for their services
"a compensation, which shall not be diminish
ed during their continuance In office.
If some of the Judges consent to act
they do so not as the Court, or any part
thereof, but as private individuals
Some timid soul may ask if am moi
in favor of peaceful settlement of the
Presidential question: Certainly. There
need be no trouble-there will be none
Ny opposition to written constitions il
not based upon any objection to our par
ticular Constitution. 1t is an admirable
and wonderful document, and its provis
ions meet every case.
Now let US see how we are to get over
our present dilemma in peaceful, con
stitutional, and satisfactory manner. The
l4th Of February arrives. The President
Of the Senate opens the certifcates-hC
then has them before him. open. and nc
provision is made that any other person
body or tribunal. shall even see them
but they shall then be counted. it mat
ters not by whom. The count shows
Hayes 1856, Tilden 1S4. The Constitu
tions says Hayes shall be President But
the House of Representatives, or ma
jority of that body, believe that Hayes
has not legal majority of all the Electors
appointed. Now remember the Consti
tuition does not say that the President o.
the Senate. or any one else, shall make
announcement Of the result. If the fac
exists that no one has the majority, the
House shall Immediately elect the Presi
dent. For the sake OF the argument lei
us say the House can be the judge of the
fact. The House at once elects Tilden
Now your superficial politician declares
on the one hand that this is revolution
and that the members Of the House musi
be thrust into Fortress Monroe; on the
other side it is claimed that there mus
be on hand $4,000 ragamuffins from New
York City. and 100000 rascals from Ken
lucky, to attack the U. S. troops.
claim that there is better way