certificate of Governor applied only to Louisiana and
Florida; the Governor of Oregon was not of the household of the
faithful.

"The people of Oregon cast a majority of their votes for Hayes,
and no vote or act of mine shall stand in the way of its being
so recorded. Such have been my convictions from the beginning,
and the great wrong done in Louisiana and Florida cannot warp my
convictions at this hour.

"We have now reached the final act in this great drama, and the
record here made will pass into history. Time, the great healer, will
bring a balm to those who feel sick at heart because of this grievous
wrong. But who can estimate, what seer can foretell, the evils
that may result to us and our children from this judgment? Fortunate,
indeed, will it be for this country if our people lose not faith
in popular institutions; fortunate, indeed, if they abate not their
confidence in the integrity of that high tribunal, for a century the
bulwark of our liberties. In all times of popular commotion and
peril, the Supreme Court of the United States has been looked to
as the final arbiter, its decrees heeded as the voice of God. How
disastrous may be the result of decisions so manifestly partisan, I
will not attempt to forecast.

"Let this vote be now taken and the curtain fall upon these scenes
forever. To those who believe, as I do, that a grievous wrong has
been suffered, let me entreat that this arbitrament be abided in
good faith, that no hindrance or delay be interposed to the execution
of the law, but that by faithful adherence to its mandates, by
honest efforts to revive the prostrate industries of the country, by
obedience to the constituted authorities, we will show ourselves
patriots rather than partisans in the hour of our country's
misfortune."

Some mention will now be made of prominent members of the House
during this Congress. The Hon. Michael C. Kerr of Indiana was
elected Speaker of the House. The vote of the Republican minority
was given to the Hon. James G. Blaine, who had been Speaker during
the three Congresses immediately preceding. Mr. Kerr was a gentleman
of high character and recognized ability. He had been for many
years a member of the House, and was familiar with the details
of its business. He was in failing health at the time of his
election, and died before the close of the first session of that
Congress. He was physically unable to preside during the greater part
of the ses