Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-02
Judge Bra dley's Course.

The Newark, New Jersey Advertiser Of the
9th speaking with authority, publishes an article
on Judge Bradty's recent decisions. In the
Louisiana and Florida cases the Advertiser say
"there was no great difficulty. W ithout re dis
cussing them, it is enough 10 say that to 90 be-
hind the returns was impracticable by reason of
want of time. 1t would have taken many months
perhaps years, TO pl-te recount of such mag
ntude. This alone was reason enough for not
proceeding with a work which is at best rrega lar
and unknown to the methods of our Government.
and subversiyc of the Fundamental doctrine that
the people shall elect their President without con.
sulting Congress or sny other power than their
own. SO J Judge Bradley held that the certificate
Of properly organized returning boards was all the
Commission could investigate. The Oregon case
came in different shape. In Oregon the Secre-
tary of State is the sole canyassing officer. His
certificate to the Vice President was
by the Endorsement OF the Governor. II, under
the previous rulings, the Commissit ner could net
90 behind the returns, what way was there to IRE
vent the notorious fraud in the pretended election
of Cron;n To this point Judge b adley gave the
most anxious deliberaton, aud for many reasons
lie alone, Of all the Commission, was expected to
rise above political bias, but he could not rise
above constitutional COW ictions. The moral
temptation lay toward the democratic side. Let
him throw out that one vote for Hayes from Ore
gon and the republican ticket was defeated. By
all the democrats, by the large class of buspes,
men who only beg for quiet, and by the much
smaller class who know with what pain Judge
Bradley only could have reached such decision.
he would have been hailed as the Great judge
soaring above party and all personal considers
tons, that the will of the people might not be be
trayed. II was an opportunity to be considered
On the other hand, his vote the republican side
would add nothing to his fame with his friends.
would satisfy but not excite admiration in the.
ranks OF the party and of business men, and draw
down the most indignant rebuke from the whole
democracy: And much or most of that rebuke
would be sincere"
The article then contends that Judge Bradley
did 90 behind the true return" which was that
oil the Secretary OF State, and adds that Judge
Bradley was enabled to prevent the success of a
fraud and the election of President by larcrn-
lous acts, while he remained steadfast in his con
trolling principle that the less Congress has to do
with the election of President the better w III il
be for the safety of the country aud this result he
reached by fair aud sound Judicial reasoning BIT
II Is an ordeal he does not care to pass again
lie considers tue Commission itself an anomaly.
and says there will never be another. He ia IN
constant receipt Of letters threatening assassinat
or containing personal abuse, more than hun
dted such having reached him last week. How
ever, as be does not read them, they do not ammo,
nun nun. lie is more troubled by the temper OF Judg
Field, who is ayowedly partisan, and it is little
strange that the other four judges claim an entire
liberty OF political bias, while Judge Bradley i
excluded from it. But to return. Judge Brad
ley is not personal winner in this decision, an
be lost an opportunity for making himself fsInou.
oy deserting his constitutional views and politics
PRINCIPLES. by voting with the democrats. he
would have achieved a vehement temporary popu-
larry, ard much of it would be permanent By
voting as he did, he gained nothing but the az
prevail Of his own conscience and the be lief tn at
,ne more honest and thoughtful Of his opponent,
may in time accept his law and honor bis motive
but now many republicans will regard bis action
as other than fidelity to his party {"