The repeal bill passed the House by a vote of 172 to 67, and became law on March 3, 1887 President Cleveland had achieved a brilliant victory.

In the joust between him and Edmunds, in lists of his adversary's own contriving, he had held victoriously to his course while his opponent had been unhorsed.

The granite composure of Senator Edmunds' habitual mien did not permit any sign of disturbance to break through, but his position in the Senate was never again what it had been, and eventually he resigned his seat before the expiration of his term.

He retired from public life in 1891, at the age of sixty-three.
From the standpoint of the public welfare, it is to be noted that the issue turned on the maintenance of privilege rather than on the discharge of responsibility.

President Cleveland contended that he was not responsible to the Senate but to the people for the way in which he exercised his trusteeship.