The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-03-24
The United States Marshals.
Congressme,, Reeds Remarks On the De-
ficiency Bill.

During the consideration in the House Fri
day of the Deficiency Appropriation Bill pro-
viding among other things for the pay of spec
ial deputy Marshals, debate arose upon Mr..
Springer's amendment to Mr.. Garfeld's amend
ment to the effect that the Marshals shall be
appointed from the different political parties
by the United States Circuit Judges. The
Republicans opposed the amendment, and an
animated debate sprung up. In answer to MIR.
Whitthorne's professions of patriotism Mr..
Reed of Maine said:
Mr. Chairman, I do not propose, for my part,
to reply to the expressions of affection of the
gentleman from Tennessee for his country 1
f1nd the gentlemen on the other side have fol-
lowed Mrs. Malaprops advice on that subject,
and have about all of them begun their love
for their country with little judcious hatred
remember how during thelast session of Con-
gre-s some nifty gentlemen on the other side of
the House, with striking unanimity and with
out SO much as smile as they looked into
each others countenances, declared that these
supervisor and marshal laws were all uncon-
stitutlonal. And yet the Supreme Court of
the United States has declared them to be con-
stitutional. do not mention this in any spir-
it of reproach to these fifty Democratic gentle
men. 1 only mention it to show how little
constitutional law our Supreme Court actually
knows. lLaughter].
discussion, although it seems as if no Democrat
was able to talk upon this subject without
bringing it up as sort of memorial of last
years fight. purpose to confine myself to
this interesting compromise which, as the gen.
tleman from Tennessee says, has been amend
ed after it was made. Now, Mr.. Chairman,
object to this amendment and I object to it
upon principle I say in the first place that
we have no right to put such political meas
ure upon an appropriation bill, and upon that
position believe this side intend to stand.
say, secondly, that if you are going to put
any legislation on this bill, this is the last
thing that should be permitted. 1t is right as
the law now is to direct the Judge of the cir
cult court to appoint supervisors, one from one
party and one from another, because the SUI
pervisors occupy judicial position; but there
is no argument which justifes bringing ir pol
itics to the execution of the law. Nor is there
anything which justifes dragging the judges
OF the courts into the active execution of the
law.
/ say this is in violation of every principle of
decent form of government The party that
is in power is responsible for the execution of
the laws, and should have the control of the
appointments to execute the laws. Nor is it
right or Just to make the circuit judges appoint
executive officers. The law says that the mar
shal and his general deputies shall execute the
law; and it is proposed here to take out of the
hands of the marshal the appointment of the
very officers upon whom he is to depend for
for the peace and tranquility of the country
Have any Of those gentlemen in their own
States ever proposed that the Democratic sher-
iff shall be controlled in the appointment of
his deputies to oversee the preservation of
peace? No, they never have. Their sole pur-
pose and object is to weaken laws which are
wise, salutary, sensible, and conducive tc the
best interests of the country; and they them
selves know what their motive is Their mo-
tive is to enable them to trample down the
safeguards which are going in the next cleo
ton to preserve the peace and the rights of the
people and of the country, especially as those
laws have received the sanction and support of
the highest tribunal of the land
am perfectly willing to admit that the
Democratic party is consistent in its attitude
toward the Supreme Court From its earliest
history it has opposed that great tribunal
There never was but one exception, and that
YVES when the Supreme Court decided in favor
of the constitutionality of the infamous fugi-
tive-slave law. That is the only alteration,
and they are determined by consistent uni
formity to make up for that temporary aberra-
ton. Applause from Republican side.]
Here the hammer fell.