Year: 1877

the best laws but, in either case, to
resist tho act of the Executive, the
Courts, or the legislature, acting con-
stltutionally and lawfully within their
sphere, would bc to set up anarchy in
the place OF government.


We think, then, to provide clear
and lawful means Of performing great
and necessary function of government,
in time of much public dispute, is of
far greater Importance than the par
ticular 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 circumstances. Each
Of the branches of the Legislature and
the judiciary are represented in the
tribunal In equal proportions. The
composition of the judicial part of the
commission looks TO selection from
different parts of the Republic, while
it is thought to be free from any pre-
ponderance of supposablc bias and
the addition of the necessary constitu-
ent part of the whole commission, in
order to obtain an uneven number is
left TO an agency the iarthest removed
from prejudice of any existing attaina-
BILE one


IL would be difficult, if not impossi-
bic, we think, to establish tribunal
that could be less the subject of party
criticism than such an one. The prin-
ciple Of its Constitution is so absolutely
fair that we arc unable to perceive how
the most extreme partisan can assail
it, unless he prefers to embark his
wishes upon the stormy sea of unregu-
lated procedure, hot disputes, and
dangerous results that can neither be
measured nor defined, rather than upon
the fixed and regular course of law,
that insures peace and the order of
society, whatever party may bc disap-
pointed in its hopes.


The unfortunate circumstance that
no provision had been made on the
subject before the election, has greatly
added TO the difficulties of the commit
tees in dealing with it, inasmuch as
many Of the people of the country,
members of the respective political
parties, will, perhaps, look with jeal-
ousy upon any measure that seems to
involve even the possibility of the de-
feat of their wishes but IT has also led
the committees 10 feel that their men,
bers are bound by the highest duty, in
such case TO let no bias of party feel
ing stand in the way OF the just, equal,
and peaceable measure for extricating
the question from the embarrassments
that at present surround it.


In conclusion, we respectfully beg
leave TO impress upon Congress the
necessity OF speedy termination upon
this subject. 1t is impossible TO esti-
mate the material loss that the country
daily sustains from the existing state
Of uncertainty. 1t directly and power.
fully tends to unsettle and paralyze
business, to weaken public and private
credit, and to create apprehensions in
The minds of the people that disturb
he peaceful tenor of their ways and
mar their happiness. 1t does tar more.
1t tends TO bring republican institutions
nto discredit, and to create doubts Of
he success Of our form Of government
and of the perpetuity of the Republic.
all considerations OF interest, Of patri- |
,tism, and of justice unite In demand
ng of the law making power measure
hat will bring peace and prosperity to
The country, and show that our repub-
ican insttions are equal to any cmcr-
yency. And, in this connection, we
cannot refrain from the expression OF
our satisfaction that your committees,
of equal numbers Of opposing |
parties, have fortunately been able to
10, what has been attempted in vain |
almost unanimously agree !
upon plan considered by them oil to |
be just, wise, and efficient. We accord
ngly recommend the proposed act to
.he patriotic and Just judgment Of Con-


IT n m