Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-30
The "Con,llromise. Z"


question. by vote OF a. to a.. This
bill provides for the appointment OF a
commission to examine al disputed Flee
toral votes and certificates. 1t is TO con-
sist OF fifteen members, I'VE 10 be chosen
each by the House and Senate; four
Judges of tho Supreme Court, and the
fifteenth, to be s Judge selected by these
four named in the bill.
We are opposed to any such com
promise" measure. though it has been
Invested OF one Objectionable feature, by
substituting provision tor electiug the
decisive vote, instead OF obtaining it by
lottery. The plan has neither sanction OF
precedent nor constitution; and Ike the
late lamented President johnson, the Re-
publican party should place Itself upon
The Constitution" L, is provided by that
document. that the President OF the Sen
ste shall open and count, IN the presence
Of both houses, all Electoral votes properly
cast aud returned. 1t leaves the matter
with him. This is the opinion OF many
sble constitutional lawyers; though, as
on all questions OF great Importance,
there are able minds which dissent. The
supporters Of this compromise claim that
% grave 3 responsibility should not rest
upon one man. Bat does their plan alter
the case II there should be indications
OF \ tie vote woald no, one member OF
this commission be obliged to make; or,
rs,her, elect, President for Il
would be rs well to en;rust this matter 10
The President Of the Senate. suppoSing,
~ !, natural, tina, he wonld take the best
ol counsel and advice. IS it Is 20 leave il
with this great unknown. We should
ieel safer 20 know with whom such im-
meuse interests are 10 be entrusted. than
20 find them lefl in the hands OF some 10
definite party. In this poin, the bin Is no
improvement upon the Constitution.
Again. the bill. is IN the nature Of 4
compromise. In 1870. and again in 1880.
the opposing factions in Congress. and
among The people, resor;od TO measures
OF compromise. Ca both Of these occa-
Sons, it seemed that good will and har-
mouy Sould prevail. il some half way
mark could be accepted by both parties.
But the result proved the utility OF a,l
such measures. We compromised and
compromised, snd evil gained ground
each time, as i always will, and we're
called TO fight tor the question which all
lovers OF peace hoped was settled, by q
little bending on either side. y com
promise is never satisfactory to either
party. If complications arise, and one
OF the opposing forces threatens, i, is .
sign Of weakness for the party which has
right on It's side, 10 listen 10 any sugges-
lions calculated TO lessen its opinions or
lower It's position. SO in this case. The
Republican party fairly and honestly
elected Gov. Hayes. as President of these
United States. He may be inaugurated
It vigorous assertions Of right are msiu-
tanned. The moment We accept measures
OF compromise. We acknowledge that
We are doubtful oil the position We have
assumed, aud this much fayors our OF
ponents.
Another great objection to this oil l.
that II draws our Supreme Judges int
political affairs We ask them 10 give
their views upon matters Of purely po.
hticel character. The gentlemen con-
posing this august body are men OF broad
culture; are possessed OF great learning.
snd are fully competent to perform the
duties OF their position; but that their
Judgment upon this question is entitled
10 any more respect than the opinion Of
any other i've men, equally learned. who
might De selected from the body polite, is
matter OF doubt: Then, II ia a grave
mistake 20 place shy member of this BODY
IN such position that the opponents OF
the party with which.he may happen to
affiliate, can charge him with partisan bliss.
Our courts, and particularly this court,
should be kept free from such implica
lions. IL has nothing to DO with politics
or executive administration, but is q dis
Iinct branch OF the government. We can
but deplore such action, "a II will tend 70
displace our confidence in the integrity
snd unbiased minds which are supposed
10 De attributes OF our Judges.
Many who are opposed to the measure
sre willing to accept it as 1.-THE best that
could be done under the circumstances. g"
ofconrse. all would rather accept il, than
TO see the country indulging in an ex-
Pensive resort 10 arms. But there would
be no war if the President OF tho Senate
were, in the constitutional discharge Of
his duties. 10 declare the msiority of
Electoral votes 10 have been cast tor Mr..
Hayes. There has been brag and 5lus-
ter enough, and there might, in that case,
he little more OF the same ssEt; but
that there would DO no appeal from his
legal and constitutional decision is GER
tain. All we need, with right on our
side, Is confidence. and determination
that right shall prevail.
AZ present writing, there IS every in
dicalion tha. this bin will pass the House,