Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-03-29


voted against the repeal of the duties on tea
and coffee. which do not compete with any
of our industries, do not make the bulk o
the Republican vote of what he complains
and whether he does not saddle upon limo
cent shoulders the offenses of the revenue
reformers, who gave the Democratic party
the ascendency in this House. and have
maintained it.
Mr Butler-The vote upon the late meas
ure Of the gentleman from Maine (Hale) in
reference to coal and salt, tea and coffee, by
no means show the tariff or revenue reform
strength in the House. For one, | voted
steadily against the repeal of the duty on
coal, although | think the duty unwise.
did Dot vote on the last question because
did not desire to take part in legislation
shaped by the Democratic party of the House.
If majority Of the Republican party want
to repeal the duty on salt we will do it in
our own way. We will not follow the lead
of the Democracy. If we want to repeal
the duty on coal we will do it in our own
good time and for our own purposes, We
will not do so under the lead of the DemOc-
racy as Democratic measure. Ii we want
/ to repeal the duties on tea and coffee we will
not follow the Democracy. | voted for the
repeal OF the duties on tea and coffee, still |
think 1t would be unwise in the present state
OF the treasury to take off all those duties.
That was the feeling under which | voted
did so because | wanted the country to see
where our party would 20 if we continued to
follow Democratic lead and vote their meas
ures. The difficulty is that | am all the time
Obliged TO shape my action that the ma
JOrIty OF this House may carry the legis-
lation of the country for itself ami not per
nit the Democratic minority, by carefully
and artfully prepared resolutions of the Re-
publican minority to do it ,as in this instance
and defeat the will Of the Republican major
ity.
Mr.. Dawes-Is there any better way than
to acquiesce with the majority?
Mr.. Butler-Yes, sir always acquiesce
with the Republican majority and never with
the Democratic majority. (Laughter.) } That
Is the way / understand acquiesce.
Mr.. Dawes-Ilow do you cipher fifty-eight
to fifty? (Laughter.)
men who were compelled to vote for this
resolution or compromise themselves. That
was the reason why this resolution was so
cunniDgly prepared
MIR. Dawes-There does not seem to be
anybody troubled but you.
Mr.. Butler-I am not in the slightest
ouble. | think somebody else will find
trouble when they reckon with the peopl e
for thus defeating the legislation that would
give peace to the South.
Mr.. Peters said that the resolution pTopos =
Ing a select committee was written by his
colleague and friend, Mr.. Blaine. The
friends Of the resolution went about the
House and consulted with other gentlemen
Many Republicans thought the resolution
desirable as a compromise, and ought to pass.
Even if other legislation was to come, it was
not sprung upon the House, for all the no
tice was gwen that could be given IN the
way be just mentioned. 1t was also shown
to the gentleman from Massachusetts,
Mr.. Butler-W hat was the answer
Mr. Peters replied that he stated the fact,
not being called on to give an answer.
Nlr. Butler-Tne answer was, on no con-
dition could l vote for it.
Mr.. Peters resumed, saying-lt was stated
IN the caucus that its action was not bind
ing, but that it was understood that the bill
for the protection Of loyal citizens should not
be introduced, leaving all at liberty to do
what they thought proper. There was no
trick whatever in the case, but acting on his
own convictions and responsibility, no eau
Gus determination would have restrained
him from the right. lie would, however, 20
into the caucus and bind himself for the
organization Of the House be would 20
into the caucus, and, if possible. agree with
his friends to a certain extent but he could
not be forced into voting against the measure
because tie gentleman from Massachusetts
opposed 1t. or the gentlemen on the other
side advocated it. He could not be driven
to vote for free salt or coal because the
Democrats wanted them. He believed the
resolution salutary, and he congratulated the
House that it had been passed by a majority
Of all the Republicans and Democrats who
voted.
Mr.. Butler asked what the gentleman
would have thought of him or ten Of his
street friends, who, having attended the eau
Gus and agreed upon nominee, should come
into the House and throw the Speakership
into the hands Of the Democrats?
Mr.. Peters, should suppose you had
some devilish design.
Mr. Butler-We agree fully. Uaughter.)
Mr. Blaine, Speaker (Mr. Wheeler of New
York in the chaIr)-I desire to ask the gen
tleman from Massachusetts (Butler) whether
be denies to me the right to have drawn the
resolution
Mr. Butler have made no assertion on
that subject, one way or the other.
Mr.. Blaine-Did not the gentlemon dis
tinctIy know | drew it?
Mr. Butler-No, sir.
Mr.. Blaine-Did | not take it to the gen
tlcman and read it to him?
Mr.. Butler-Yes, sir.
Mr.. Blaine-In my own handwriting
Mr.. Butler-NO, sir.
Mr. Blaine-And, at his suggestion, added
these words - And the expenses of the com
mittee shal! be paid from the contingent fund
of the House OF Representative? Gap
plause) The fact that the Ways and Means
Committee wanted to pay the expenses was
the only objection he made to it.
Mr. Butler-N hat was the answer the
gentleman made? suppose | may ask that,
now that the Speaker has come upon the
floor
Mr. Blaine-The answer was, l immedi-
ately wrote an amendment providing for the
payment Of the expense Of the committee.
Mr.. Butler-W hat was my answer? Was
it not, under no circumstances would l have
anything to d. with it, being bound by the
action of the caucus?
Mr.. Blaine-No. sir. Your answer was,
under NO circumstances would you serve as
chairman.
Mr. Butler - Or have anything to do with
the resolution.
Mr. Blaine-There are 224 members of
the House of Representatives. A committee
can be formed without the gentleman from
Massachusetts, being on it. His services are
not essential to the constitution of the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Butler-Why did you not find such
committee, then
Mr.. Blaine-Because knew very we'll if
omitted the appointment of the gentleman
it would be heralded throughout the length
and breadth of the country by claquers, who
have so industriously distributed this letter
this morning, that the Speaker had packed
the committee, as the gentleman said he
would do, with weak -kneed Republicans, who
would not 90 into the investigation yigor
ously as he would. That was the reason.
(Applause) So that the Chair laid the
responsibility upon the gentleman of declin-
ing the appointment
Mr.. Butler know that was a trick of
the Chair.