Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-22
our RODERICK.

The action of the House of Represen.
tatives ON r. r. Butler, calls forth the
following from the Cincinnati Enquirer
As we suspected it would do, the House
of Representatives, at Washington exhaust
cd all its virtue in the expulsion of White
more, the carpet Dagger from South Caro-
lima, who, it was proven, had sold the
West Point cadetsfip within his gift for
a monetary consideration. Other men,
bers who were exactly in the same fix
have been suffered to 90 scot free, the
House fearing that if there was a general
investigation of shortcomings there would
not be quorum left.
The case of Butler, a pretended men,
Der from Tennessee, is worthy of note.
The resolution in favor of his expulsion
received the votes of a majority of the
House. 1t was adopted by ayes 107 to
nays 6S. There not being two-thirds in
the affirmative, which is required in cases
of expulsion, the resolution was lost. The
thick and thin Radicals voted in the mega
tive, and they were, singularly, assisted
by some Democrats, such as Brooks, of
New York, and Axtell, of California, whr,
we trust, will be called to an account for
it by their constituents. II is not so won
derful that Republicans sustain acts of
unclean legislation, but for Democrats
there is no excuse-nOne whatever.
The admissions of Butler were
abundantly sufficient for his convic-
ton. He started out with the state
ment that he had made ''fruitless efforts
to find in his district qualified boy for
the military academy" The idea that
there is any district so destitute of youth
full talent as not TO be able to afford
West Point cadet, is ridiculous in the ex-
IRENE, and particularly in Tennessee, the
old volunteer State, which has always
been noted for its martial ability. He
finally found boy whom he appointed.
Immediately afterward Gen. Este, on be-
half of the father of the boy, called
at his room and insisted upon his
taking money for the appointment,
which he at first declined, but
Col. Spence, of Tennessee, who was
in the room, interfered and said: s'YOu
have got TO take it, because we are going
to have hard time in the election, and
yon know few of us have to support
our papers," Spence advised him to
take the money and use it in the
Tennessee election. This soft per-
suasion of Gen. Este had its effect,
and Bntler, for the good Of the country,
allowed himself to receive the bride. That
is, he took 5000, and Este, for the advice,
kept 800. His 5000 he spent in the cleo
ton for the advancement of the Repub-
lican cause by contributing to Repub-
lican papers. lie did not use one cent,
as be informs US, for his own benefit.
This explanation saved him. 1t was
nothing TO take the bride for the appoint
ment of the cadet if it was spent after
ward in carrying an election for the
Radical party. The guilt and i'm
morality depends entirely upon the pur-
pose to which the money is devoted.
Butler might have been obliged to spend
the 81 900 for the party, whether he got
this money or not, and the latter would
therefore be clear gain. But we viii not
press such suggestion. 1t is decided
that corruption is not worthy of punish
ment, if its gains are applied for the benefit
of the Republican organization. Such is
the moral of the action in the Butler case.
The resolution of censure adopted by the
House, declaring its condemnation of his
receiving money from the father of said
cadet, to be used for political purposes,
unauthorized and dangerous, amounts to
nothing. 1t is mere withdrawing, espe-
cially as an amendment that he be re-
quested to resign was not accepted. The
whole proceedings in the House relative
to this case are worthy of its notorious
corruption.