The Portland daily press., 1877-01-22
Our New York Letter.
The Compromise scheme-Iss Merit. and
ITS Defecfs-The Massachuseti. Senator
alphabetical Possibilities.
NEW YORK Ian 1Q1Q77

New YORK, Jan 10 1877.
The scheme Of the Congressional committee
for settling the Presidential election, is of
course subject of universal criticism. The
approval which it meets is not enthusiastic
and the opposition it encounters Is not bitter.
Inose VINO acquiesce in it do so with soma
thing OF the reluctance with which a patient
takes the prescription which his physician tells
him is necessary for his cure; those who con-
denim tqualify their censure with the admis
sion that it opens up prospect of an amicabIe
settlement of an extremely embarrassing dis.
pute. The plan certainly involves very liberal
concessions on the part of the Republicans
And vet nobody will for moment question the
political orthodoxy of the three Republican
Senators who have subscribed to it. They are
on record as earnestly in favor Of policy that
Is not merely technically, but morally right.
and their report shows that they were sincere in
tneir wish that a conclusion should be arrived
at that would commend itself to the Judgment
aud sense of honor Of the American people.
Ii the Republicans were to insist on abiding by
tne result already ascertained, it is difficult to
see what could prevent the installation of their
candidates. There might be vehement pro-
tests and volumes of defamation, but how auy
OF the votes could be thrown out without the
concurrence of both houses is what hasn't been
shown yet. The surrender of this vantage
ground is an act of magnanimity that proves
very clearly the determination of the represent
tatives OF the party in the committee not to put
themselves in the wrong by claiming too much.
They have certainly displayed a remarkable
deal OF generosity, and their course ought to
satisfy the coantry that they are more patriotic
than partisan.
The one grave objection to the Congressional
project which will strike the reader, is the dan
ger it leaves open of delay which will prevent
any choice at all of President In the first
place it is not to be supposed that it will pass
without prolonged debate. Then If it is
adopted, there will be so many questions coming
up for consideration, that vast deal of time is
sure to be consumed over them. Legislators
are slow enough; but when you come to Su-
preme Court Judges, merciful Providence! what
hope is there that they will make up their
minds in few weeks what electors were chos-
en- in the three Southern states that the Dem
ocrats pretend to contest 1t took twenty
ures. judges begin late and adjourn early
They never hurry; it seems to be part of their
system to procrastinate as much as possible
As for keeping suitors and witnesses waiting at
great Inconvenience and expense, they act as is
they had an especial relish for that sort of
thing. 1 do not see for the life of me
how it is possible for council of fifteen men,
of whom five are Supreme Court judges, to
arrive at decision in respect to a matter about
which there is ground for differences of opinion
within six weeks. Now, if these venerable
jurists dawdle over the various propositions
which will be submitted to them, q quarter
part as long as they are in the habit of doing
when cases are before them, which to the aver
age lay minds do not look at all intricate or
perplexing, the 4th of March will come and
pass away long before they will have made up
their minds, and the office of President will be
vacant This is by no means an imaginary or
fanciful objection to the novel tribunal pro-
posed. Suppose these gentlemen should take
notion to 60 behind the returns-to overhaul
the records Of Louisiana for example; obsery-
ing all the tedious formslites which pertain
to Judicature what can be more certain than
that the inquiry would prove an INTERIM nable
one? Let anybody who has ever had the mis-
fortune to be plaintiff or defendant in a law
suit calculate the chances of reaching a solu-
ton of this much more momentous problem
within the brief period when the issue depend
ent on the deliberations of this grave Sanhe-
drim is to be established or must fail al
together.
Here seems to be fatal defect in the con-
trivance by which it is sought to decide between
the Presidential competitors. 1t is hardly
worth while to search for others until it is
cleared up. We shall be better able to Judge
how much prospect there is of prompt action,
when the debate In Congress is finished. II 1t
lasts as long as thiak it will the unpractiblity
of the new method Of finding out who is en-
titled to the chief magistracy will be confessed
before it is over.
1t is manifest that the:strongest men Of both
parties little in doubt as to the expsdiency
of controlling the government during the next
Presidential election. Politics are getting into
confused aud chaotic state. The late struggle
for the Senatorship in Massachusetts, is not an
invigorating spectacle. There Is State which
above all others was entitled to lead the van in
| the Republican column. When the Republicans
were organized and disciplined they not only
carried every thing before them but exercised q
wholesome influence on their brethren in less
favored sections of the Union. Latterly they
have ceased to BE- an army; they have degen-
Grated into something like a mob. Wiser than
their generation, affecting superior virtue as
upon people beyond their borders, they have
discarded party usages, abolished the caucus
| and just concluded an unseemly scrimmage for
Senatorial seat There is nothing to be said
| against the gentleman they have elected, but
l the way it was done is not creditable to them.
Such departures from the good old practice,
l which made the party compact and inyincible
| are calculated to engender disgust of parties
l and politics.
OF Mr.. Boutwell,, it is the simple truth to say
that he was eminently worthy of reelection.
He is the peer in point of ability and integrity
of any man in the Commonwealth, prolific as
it is of every kind of talent There is vast
| deal more of substance than of show about
him. He is modest and unassuming. There
are none of the arts of the politician about him.
He never meddled with conventions nor prac-
ticed any electioneering devices. He is the
beau ideal of tribune of the people, frugal in
his mode of living, courteous in his manner,
faultlessly crcumspect in his conduct. Bis
experience of public affairs makes him valu-
able Senator. His displacement is q national
misfortune. 1t will occasion far deeper regret
to his senatorial associates than it will to him.
have no doubt he received the news With
characteristic equanimty. He gave the State
full equivalent for all the honors she be-
slowed on him, and can better afford to quit
her service than she to have him do so.
These signs indicate kind of breaking up Of
great organization that has triled too long
and most unwisely with its own strength. The
chastenirg effect of defeat might perhaps ba
tried beneficially. To be in a minority for a
while would be as likely as any thing to sub
due the propensity to break lines which is SO
destructive of the power of any organization.
Parties cannot be successful unless they have
leaders, in whom trust is reposed and to whom
reasonable obedience is rendered The right Of
private judgment can always be exercised at
the will of the individual. To waive it in the
LII