Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-04
The Test Oath.

The bill for the repeal Of the test oata
which passed the House will not pass the
Senate without amendment and close
scrutiny. Mr.. Boutelle's opposition to it
In the House called attention to the sweep
ing character OF the bill, so that after ex-
animation some who voted for it regretted
their action.
As it has been reported to the Senate
from the Judiciary Committee, by Sena-
tor Logan. II presents some important
notifications. In the first place. it ex-
cepts the President of the United States
and requires that he shall swear that
he never voluntarily bore arms against
the Government which he il called
upon ~ administer. This may some
what narrow the choice for democratic
candidates, says the New York Times,
but 1t Is certain that the high Office of
Chief Magistrate of the Republic should
be forever guarded against the men who
have once earned the lille 81 traitors to
the Government. It Is not likely that any
such man would ever be elected to that
office, but the selfrespect Of the Nation
demands that II should not be open to
such on any terms.
There Is another point at which Senator
Logan proposes that stand shall be
taken. There were officers of the United
States Army and Navy who had been ed
ucated and trained at the expense of the
Government, and who held its commission
binding them under the most sacred sane
tons of law and honor to fidelity in its
service, when the rebellion broke out.
Some of these. Notwithstanding the pecu-
liar character of their duties and obliga-
tons, BETRAYED the Government and gave
their skill and experience to the service
OF its enemies in civil war. IL Is pro-
posed that such men shall never again be
employed in the military or naval service.
Another modification of the bill Is
very important one. and one to which no
reasonable objection can be urged. 1t
simply provides explicitly against any
repeal of the condition of loyalty which
pertains to every valid claim against the
Government for losses incurred during
the war. No place should be left for an
entering wedge which may ever be used
TO force open the public Treasury for the
Reimbursement OF the losses OF traitors.
These epithets are used in a historical
sense. but there are certain distinctions
which should mover be lost sight of. The
Test Oath Bill as reported to the Senate
comedies everything that can in reason be
asked or yielded. 1t marks the line at
which the eifacing of the difference be-
tween patriotism and treason may as well
stop until time and death shall do the rest.
The substitute for his educational bill
reported from the Committee on Educa-
ton and Labor. by Senator Blair. provides
in substance that for the purpose of secur-
ing the benefits of common school educa-
ton to all children living in the United
States there shall be appropriated annu-
ally, for ten years. a sum OF money begin
ming with els. 200. 200 and Diminishing by
1000 600 in each succeeding year. which
sum shall be paid to each of the several
States and Territories and the District
Of Columbia in that proportion which
the whole number of the persons OF the
age of ten years and over in such State or
Territory or in the District. who cannot
read and write. bear TO the whole number
of such persons in the United States, &C
cording to the census of 1850 tprovides.
however. that no part of the money shall
be paid to any State or Territory which
shall not, during the first five years of the
act, annually expend for the mainten-
ance of common schools, at least third
of the sum which shall be allotted TO il of
this proposed educational fund. and dur
ing the second five years. sum at leas,
equal to the whole amount Of the alot-
ment made TO it.
- IL.