Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-29
Senator Blaine's Remarks on the
Compromise Bill.

The following is the full and correct text of Sen
ator Blaines remarks on the Compromise BIZ, as
found in the Congressional Record
Mr.. Blaine. Mr.. President, have, l trust, as
profound an appreciation as any Senator on thls
floor Of the gravity of the situation. | would not
if | could, underrate il, and no public good can
result from overstating it. | have iet anxious
from the first day of the session to JOIN IN any
wise measure that would tend to al!ay public un-
easiness and to restore or at least maintain, public
confidence. In this spirit followed the lead OF the
honorable chairman OF the judiciary COMMITTEE
(Mr. Edmunds) III December in an effort to secure
a constitutional amendment which would empower
the Supreme Court of the United States to peace
fully and promptly settle all the troubles growing
out of the disputed electoral votes. l knew there
were weighty objections to any measure connect
ing the judiciary with the political affairs oil the
country; but nevertheless thought, anu sun
think, that under the impressive sanction OF a
constitutional amendment the angry differences
growing out of presidential contest might with
safety and satisfaction be adjusted by that supreme
tribunal which. combining dignity, honor, learn
ing, and presumed impartialiiy, would be regarded
by men of all parties as trusworty repository.
Ii was in that spirit and with those views that
voted for the constitutional amendment, which |
regret to say failed to commend itself to the Sen
ate. 1t was defeated, and refer TO 1t now only TO
show that have not been reluctant to make any
proper and constitutional adjustment of pending
dlf1cultlcs. i htn not Weuueu 10 any particular
plan except of that of the Constitution, nor have
any pet theories outside of the Constitution, and,
unlike good many gentlemen on both sides OF
the Chamber with whom | am newly associated
here have no embarrassing record on this qles-
ton OF counting the votes
But, Mr.. President looking at the measure I'M
der consideration and looking at II with every de-
sire to cooperate with those who are so warmly adj
vocating it, am compelled to withhold the sup
port of my vote. am not prepared TO vest any
body Of men with the tremendous power which
this bill gives to fourteen gentlemen four Of whom
are to complete their number by selecting tt-
teenth, am selecting fifteenth under such cir
cumstances as throughout the length and breadth
OF the land impart peculiar interest. might say
an absorbing interest to what Mr. Benton termed
in the Texas indemnity bill, THAT coy and BASH
full blank" | do not believe that Congress itself
has the power which proposes to confer on these
fifteen gentlemen. do not profess to be what Is
termed, in the current phrase of the day, con
stitutoDal lawyer" but every Senator voting I'M
der the obligations of his oath and his conscience
must ultimately be his own constitutional lawyer.
And 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 gentlemen that with which 1t Is now
proposed to invest five Senators, five Representa-
lives, and i've judges of the Supreme Court.
did no, at this late hour of the night rise to make
an argument, 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 cooperate with my
political fre nds who are advocating it, but every
possible inclination of that kind has been remov-
ed and dispelled by the very arguments brought
in support of the BILL able and exhaustive as they
have been on that side of the question
beg to add one additional remark through
you, Mr.. President to the chairman Of the Judic-
larry Committee and through him to his able as
sociaes who serve on that committee, that while
this subject is now in the public mind as it never
has been before from the foundation of the Gov
eminent, when the leading juIists of the country
have been investigating it as never before, that they
will not allow this session of Congress to close
without carefully maturing and submitting to the
States a constitutional anne ndment which will re-
move far possible all embarrassment in the flu
ture. The people ofthis 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 by none more ardently than by my
self. Let 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 sec
tious, and above all, just to ouI obligations under
the Constitutions as il now is.