204 The Hayes'Tilden

Several of the members expressed great relief at
the successful outcome of their labors. Senator Thur-
man said the agreement would be hailed with joy from
one end of liie country to the other, and the effect on
business would be immediately felt Mr. Hewitt
thought it was ''worth five hundred millions to the
country at once." Mr. Hoar not unjustly said that
"this committee's action will be considered as one of
the important events in history."

But one senator, namely Morton, was far from be-
ing so well satisfied. He objected especially to cer-
tain features which might perhaps be taken as con-
ferring power upon the Commission to go behind the
returns. In reply to this objection Senator Thurman
made a statement which, in the light of subsequent
events, possesses considerable importance. "The bill,"
declared he, "decides no disputed questions, creates no
new power, but submits all disputes to this tribunal with
the same powers, no more, no less, than belong to
Congress, jointly or severally. It is as near a non-
committal bill, as to disputed questions, as could be
made." But Morton continued to frown upon the
bill; and when on the following day the report to
accompany it was in readiness,^ he alone, of all the
members of the two committees, refused his signature.
The report ^ justified the bill both on constitutional



1 When the report wsls beinsr discussed, Mr. Hoar objected to
the phrase that It was "comparaUvely unimportant" who be-
came President, and declared that in his opinion it was of
"immense importance.'* Senator Conklinff criticised the phrase,
"If such Jurisdiction is not vested by the Constitution, this biU
creates it" Both phrases were aocordinffly stricken out

2 For the report see Record, pp. 71S-714.
