Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-09-07

Butler CrOss-examincd.
Warrington is writing some sharp letters in
| the Boston Journal, in one of which he thus
| discusses Buffers claims to the confidence of
| prohibitonists:
Now, when Gen Butler is asked whether he
| is in favor of the prohibitory law or not, he
lodges. In his "interview" he lodged the ques-
ton whether he intended to bolt or not. He
| has been compelled to disclose what his inten-
| tions arc in that respect as Wendell Phillips
| was compelled last year to relnquish his first
| intention of running blind, without accepting
or refusing nomination, Now he must
answer the other question WhyP Because on
this depends the value of his declarations as to
the enforcement of the law against Harvey d.
Parker and Bridget 0Faherty. Let us see
what is his exact language, and, instead of
quoting from his Worcester speech, which he
may squiTm out of any day, let Inc quote IRON
letter on the I'd inst, in the Daily News. 1t
appears that at a meeting in Sherborn Of dele
gates from various temperance organizations in
Middlesex and Worcester counties, a vote was
taken as to the choice for governor, and Butler
received "two-third Vote
L. b. White, Esq, communicates this vote to
Butler, and gets a letter IN reply, which is as
follows: 81 am very glad that | receive the con-
idence of the temperance men, in so far rs aave
right to claim it, and that is that will see the
law faithfully executed. But do not say this
to Temperance men alone; say it to those in the
in the commonwealth; one, that if the law is
thoroughly executed it will so far interfere with
the feelings and wishes of the people that the law
will he repealed Therefore the liquor men-
those who look TO their own interest carefully
wish it to be executed. Another set of opinions
to which doubtless you holds that If the
law shall be executed, it will commend itself so
TO the people of the commonwealth that they
will desire TO preserve it, and its benefits will
be felt. That can only be tested by the eXccu-
Hon nf hn n | IN
should be executed and brought to the test in
order that the people of the state may know eX-
actly what the law is If it approves itself to
their Judgment of course they Will sustain it; if
not, not; because no law can be sustained
against the good sense of the people, and
beneficial law will be sustained by that good
sense.
Now Butler, after developing this same idea
in his Worcester speech, adds, 81 talk right
out" Very well let him talk right out little
longer. If Rev. DIR. Marvin and the Sherborn
conference of prohibitionists don't care about
knowing whether he is for or against the "dram
shop system, in itself, perhaps there are men
who do. Let me suppose Butler on the witness
stand and subjected TO the torture to which
many an honest man has been subjected by him.
Let me suppose friend of the prohibitory law
croSs-eXamining him: "You say, Gen. Butler,
you are willing to speak right out?" eyes, sir"
"Then see that you don't dodge the questions
ask you. You are of opinion that the people
are for or against the liquor laww eyes"
you are of opinion that if the law is impair
TALLY enforced it will be ascertaned whether
they are for or against itP "Ycs." "Now will
you be good enough to tell me whether you,
candidate for governor, and a prominent and
influential citizen, are for or against it?' 81
your Well, sir, will you be good enough to
tell me whether, in case you are elected COVER
nor, you will be willing to express any opinion
to the Legislature for OR against itP' Well,
prefer to wait" Every well; perhaps you
have not contemplated the contingency of your
election" No answer. "a word more, general.
You say that you make the same reply to all
questions, whether they come from temperance
men or liquor menp yes" "Wil you be
good enough to tell me whether, when you saw
this to Harvey d. Parker, you do or do not tell
him that the surest way to get rid of the law, as
in 1867 and 1868, is to enforce it~ II decline
to answer" care you any more willing to say
whether, in your private interviews with the
temperance men, you inform them that you will
enforce it in good faith, because you believe in
it and desire 1t TO remain lawp No answer.
"NOw, general on another branch of the ques-
ton. You say that if you ever have an oppor
tunity, you will enforce the prohibitOry law UNI
til the people, through their representatives,
say it shall not be the law any longer Eyes"
"How will you enforce it?" "By making the
police authorities prosecute all offenders against
it" "You mean to say that yOu will instruct
Major Jones to proceed against George Young,
Harvey d. Parker, and the Revere and fremont
houses, and all the liquor dealers, great and
smallW eyes" "Well, sir, of course you will
be willing to furnish Major Jones all the aid
you camp" "Of course" "Will you be willing
to eat your dinner at George Young's next Sat
urday, and then inform Major Jones of the Ie-
suit OF your observations at his house" No
answer. "Let me put the question in another
form; will you, when George Young is brought
into court, testify whether you did or did not sit
at his table with glass of prohibited liquor be-
fore you at any time since the present law was
enactedP' No answer "Your honor (says the
eXaminerl, 81 regret that the witness who APP
pearcd here with such an apparent willingness
to testify, is now disposed TO skuk all these i'm
portant questions. But | will try him again."
General, you are in favor of the kuklux bill,
so-calledp eyes" an favor of its thorough
Enforcement eyes" q If John T. Hoffman
or Tom Hendricks becomes the democratic can
didate for president on Il promise to enforce that
law without fear or favor, making the same
pledge that you make as to the liquor law will you
support either Of them and consider them sound
on the kukluX question" "NO" "And why
notP "Why,-why,-w why, because should
want to know whether they are in favor of the
law or against it," "0h, then you think you
can bamboozlc the temperance men of Massa-
chusetts, though you don't propose to be BAN
boozled by democratic professions of the same
sortW Here the witness becomes watery and
mcoherent, staggers like hog on the ice, talks
wildly about WarringtOns salary, the Journals
bill for advertising, General Hawley's ungentle
manly conduct in proving him "a liar" and so
on, and has to be taken out of court by his
mings and George j. L. Colby.