Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-02-13
The Electoral Biz.
Mr.. Frye's Reason for Opposing 1t.

Hon. William p. Frye in ackonwledg-
inc the receipt Of q numerOuSly signed
memorial Of the citizens Of Bath in favor
Of the electoral bill, sets forth his reasons
for opposing it in the following letter, to
Mayor Reed;
Washington, Jan. 20, 1871.
Hon. Edwin Reed
Dear Sir II have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt Of a petition BY you
and other citizens Of Bath. asking the
Maine delegation in Congress TO support
the so-called compromise bill" l know
personally and by reputation the most Of
the signers of both political parties, and
confess that seldom is petition presented
TO your delegation entitled 10 greater con-
sideration than this. l received it some
hours subsequent to the final vote on the
measure, but am frank to say that Its ear
lier reception could not have changed my
vote. In matters involving no great prin-
eiple such q request emanating from such
a source, would probably have been de-
eisiye; but great question, affecting con-
stitutional rights, duties and obligations
must be submitted to and determined by
the conscience and judgment Of him upon
whom YOU, my constituents, have imposed
the responsibility.
Knowing early in the session that the
questions and principles involed in this
bill must be presented to Congress in some
form, examined the subject with more
than usual care. aud arrived at a conclu-
sion entirely satisfactory to my own mind.
In my opinion, the trainers Of the Con-
stitution intended TO aud did, deposit in
the hands Of the President of the Senate,
not the right to, but the duty, the imper-
alive duty of opening the certificates
placed in his custody by the states, of de-
termining which was the true certificate
Of electors where more than one from u
state was forwarded to him, by counting
the votes in the two Houses and declaring
the result.
If this opinion is correct, and Of this
each man must be his own Judge, then it
logically follows that no legislation can
abate one jOt or one title Of this officers
power, can be allowed to affect other than
mere formal matters, and that this Com
promise Bill" i I clear invasion Of the
powers and solemn duties Of the Presi-
dent Of the Senate. Of course l have not
the assurance TO assert that am right in
my conclusions, and | readily admit that
gentlemen thoroughly honest and eminent.
ly able, hold TO doctrine radically diff.
ferent but my sworn obligations of sup.
port to the Constitution are relieved BY q
conscientious and a personal performance
of its requirements as | understand them
You viii cheerfullv eonoede that in the
discharge of such duties | am the represen
tatve Of my constituents not their agent
This answer will suffice for YOU anC
your fellow petitioners, but inasmuch 4.
my vote may, after all, have been wrong
though | believe it was right, | will say
further, not as an excuse, but IN palliation
that manhood was the steady friend o.
the side your delegation espoused.
know that you and many of the signeri
Of this petition with you, would have STOOD
firmly with us, if you had been present
through the contest. Threats of war were
as plentiful as drops of water in a sum
mer shower gatherings of one hundred
thousand "unarmed Democrats to assis
in the count were eounselled by leader;
in the democratic party charges of con
spiracy, fraud and every crime were daily
made against our side. Compromise was
not asked, but was demanded