The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-19

and the legislative body may not enact the best
laws, but in either case to resist the act of the
executive the courts or the legislature acting
consttutonally and lawfully within their
sphere would be to set up anarchy In place of
the government. We think the providing of "a
clear and lawful means of performing great
and necessary function of the government in
time of much public dispute is OF far greater
importance than the particular advantage that
any man or party may in the course OF events
possibly obtain But We have still endeavored
to provide such lawful agencies OF decision in
the present case as shall be the most fair and
impartial possible under the CIR ,umstances
Each of the branches of the Legislature and
the judiciary are represented IN the Tribune in
equal proportions The composition og the ju
dclaI mart of the commission looks to seiec-
ton from different palts OF the Republic.
While it IS thong hit to be free from any prepOn-
derance of supposable bias, and the addition of
the necessary constituent part OF the whole
commission, in order to obtain an uneven Dum-
Der is left to an agency the farthest removed
from the prejudice of any existing attainable
one 1t would be difficult If not impossible, we
think, to establish tribunal that could be less
the subject of party criticism IMAM sucn an one.
The priuciple OF its constitution is SO absolutely
fair that we are unable to perceive bow the
most extreme partisan can assam IL, unless he
prefers to embark his wishes upon the stormy
sea of uUreguated procedure, not disputes and
dangerous results that can neither De measured
nor defined, rather than upon the fixed and
regular course of law that ensures peace and
the order of society whatever party may be
disappointed in its hopes
The unfortunate circumstances that no pro-
vision had been made on the subject before the
electlon has greatly added to the diff ;uties of
the committees in dealing with it, Inasmuch as
many of the people of the country, members of
the different political parties, will perhaps look
with Jealousy upon any measure that seems to
Involve even possibility of the defeat of their
wishes, but it has also led the committee 10 feel
that their members are bouod by the highest
duty in such case to let no bias or party ieel-
ing stand in the way OF a just, equal md peace
| measure for extricating the question from The
embarrassment that at present surrounds it.
La conclusion we respectfully beg leave to
impress upon Congress the necessity of speedy
determination upon this subject. We cannot
refrain from an expression OF our satisfaction
| that yonr com mittees, composed of equal num-
| bers of opposing parties, have fortunately beer
| able to do what has been attempted 10 vain
| observation-disclosures unanimously agree upon
plan considered by them all to be JUST, vase
| and efficient.
We accordingly recommend the proposed
act to the patriot and just judgment OF Con-
| gress (Signed),
Geo. F. Edmuods, Frederick T. Frelinghuysen,
| Roscoe Ccnkling, A. G. Thurman, T. f. Bay
| III. B. Payne, Epda Hunton, Abram S. Hew-
| itt VIM. NJ. Springer Geo. w. McCrary
| Geo. f. Hoar, Geo. Willard.
Senator Morton was the only member Of the
| committee who did not sign the report.
| How the Measure is Received.
| The measure reported by the select commit
| tee in regard to counting the electoral vote was
| well received in the Senate The Democratic
senators and number of prominent Republi
cans are inclined to think favoraby of it, blu,
| will, of course, examine il more thoroughly
1t will meet with some opposition bnt it is the
| general opinion that it will receive a handsome
| majority when the vsse is reached An effor
| will be made to press vote after reasonable
time for discussion, and several Senators ex
press the belief that the final vote can be taker
after discussion of several days. There il
much rejoicing here at the prospect of an ami
cable settlement of the question.