The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-29
Mr.. Blaine on the Compromise bin.

The following is the text of Mr.. Blaines re-
marks on the Compromise Bill, taken from the
Congressional Record. While many of that
gentleman's friends in Maine regret that he
found it necessary to vote against the measure,
they will readily concede that it was not only
his right but lis duty to so act in view of his
opinion respecting the limitations of the Con
stitution. The suggestion in lis closing para
graph will meet unanimous and hearty con-
currence from everybody. The bill providing
for the counting of the electoral vote being
under consideration in the Senate, Mr.. Blaine
said:
Mr.. President have, trust, as profound
an appreciation as any Senator on this floor of
the gravity of the situation. l would not, if
could, underrate it, and no public good can
result from overstating it, have felt anxious
from the first day of the session to Join IN any
wise measure that would tend to allay public
uneasiness. and to restore. or at least MAINTAIN,
puphc confidence. In this spirit l followed the
lead OF the honorable chairman of the Judi
ciary Committee (Mr. Edmunds) in December,
IN an effort to secure a constitutional amend
ment which would empower the Supreme Court
of the United States to peacefully and prompt
ly settle all the troubles growing out of the dis
puted electoral votes, L knew there were
weighty objections to any measure connecting
the judiciary with the political affairs of the
country; but nevertheless thought and l still
think, that under the impressive sanction of a
constitutional amendment the angry differences
growing out of a presidential contest might
with safety and satisfaction be adjusted by that
supreme tribunal, which, combining dignity,
honor, learning, and presumed impartiality,
would be regarded by men of all parties as
trustworthy repository.
1t was in that spirit and with these views
that voted for the constitutional amendment,
which, regret to say, failed to commend itself
To he t.
it now only to show that have not been reluct-
ant to make any proper and constitutional ad-
Jrs ment OF pending difficulties. L am not
welded to any particular plan except that of
the Constitution nor have 1 any pet theories
outside of the Constitution, and unlike good
many gentlemen on both sides of the Chamber
With whom am newly associated here, l have
no embarrassing record on this question of
counting the votes"
But, Mr.. President, looking at the measure
under consideration and looking at it with
every desire to cooperate with those who are
so warmly advocating it. I am compelled to
withhold the support of my vote. l am not
prepared to vest any body of men with the ire
mendous power which this bill gives to four
teen gentlemen, four of whom are to complete
their number by selecting fifteenth, and Sc
Letting fifteenth under such circumstances as
throughout the length and breadth of the land
sorbiug interest to what Mr.. Benton termed ia
the Texas indemnity bill, chat coy and bash
full blank do not believe that Congress it.
self has the power which it proposes to confer
on these fifteen gentlemen. do not profess to
be what is termed, in the current phrase of the
day, a constitutional lawyer but every Sen
ator voting under the obligations of his oath
and his conscience must ultimately be his own
constitutional lawyer. And L deliberately say
that do not believe that Congress possesses the
power itself, and still less the power to transfer
to any body of fourteen or fifteen or fifty gen.
temen that with which it is now proposed to
invest five Senators, five Representatives and
five judges of the Supreme Court. did not at
this late hour of the night rise to make an ar
gument, but merely to state the ground, the
constitutional and conscientious ground, on
which feel compelled to vote against the
pending bill. have had great desire to CO.
operate with my political friends who are ad
vocatng it, but every possible inclination of
the very arguments brought in support OF the
bill, able and exhaustive as they have been on
that side of the question.
beg to make one additional remark through
you, Mr.. President to the chairman of the
judiciary Committee and through him to his
able associates who served on that committee,
that while this subject is now in the public
mind as it never has been before from the
foundation of the government, when the lead
ing jurists of the country have been Investigate
ing It as never before. that they will not allow
this session of Congress to close without care
fully maturing and submitting to the states a
constitutional amendment which will remove
SO tar as possible all embarrassment in the
future. The people of this country, without
regard to party, desire in our government due
and orderly procedure under the sanction of
law. and that am sure is what is desired by
every senator on this floor and none more ar
IDENTIFY than by myself. Let us then if possible
guard against all trouble in the future by some
wise and timely measure that will be just to
all parties and all sections, and, above all, just
to our obligations under the Constitution, as it
is