Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-17
HOUSE,
The Ku.Klux War i'm the Radical
RankS-ButIer Baffied by RIaine.


| Mr.. Kelly rose to q personal explana
ton. He denied the charge made in 6
circular issued by Mr.. Butler, of Massa
chusetts, that the high tariff Republicans
combined with the Democrats to pass
MIR. Peters resolution yesterday. He
then asked to be excused from serving on
the committee appointed under the reso-
luton.
Mr.. Butler replied he did not refer to
Mr.. Kelly. He said Peters, resolution
was trick to defeat the caucus Ku-Klux
bill. Many Republicans voted yea fear
ing to compromise themselves by voting
nay.
Mr.. Peters defended the resolution.
Mr.. Dawes said that nobody seemed
troubled about it but Butler.
Speaker Blaine took the floor, (Mr.
Wheeler in the chair) and proceeded to
say that he showed the resolution to Mr..
Butler, of Massachusetts, in bis (Blaine's)
handwriting and added at Mr.. Buffers
suggestion the words Sand the expenses
of this committee shall be paid from the
contingent fund of the House of Repre-
sentatives," (applauseD The facts that
ways and means were wanted to pay the
expenses was the only objection he made
to it.
Mr.. Butler-That was not my answer.
Under no circumstances would / have
anything to do 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. Blaine proceeded
to say that he appointed Butler chairman
because he knew very well if he omitted
the appointment of that gentleman, it
would be heralded throughout the length
and breadth of the country by the clac-
quers who have so industriOusly distribu-
ted this letter this morning-that the
speaker had packed the committee, as the
gentleman said he would, with weak
kneed Republicans, who would not 90
into the investigation as vigorously as he
would. That was the reason made the
appointment. applause So the Chair
laid the responsibility upon the gentle
man who declined the appointment.
Mr., Butler-I know that was the trick
of the chair.
Mr.. Blaine-Ahl trick! l know now
what the gentleman meant by the word
trick. l am very glad to know the trick
was successful. 1t is this trick which
places on the gentleman from Massachu-
sets the responsibility before the country.
The gentleman from Mass achusetts SAYS,
in his letter: ''Having been appointed
against my wishes, expressed both public
ly and privately, by the Speaker as
chairman of the committee to investigate
the state of affairs in the South ordered
to-day by Democratic votes against a
most earnest protest of more than two
thirds of the majority of Republicans in
the House, This statement is so bold
and groundless l do not know what reply
to make. 1t is made in the face of the
fact that fifty-eight Republicans voted for
the resolution and forly-nine, besides the
gentleman from Massachusetts,, against it.
If there is any one of the fifty-eight
gentlemen who voted for the resolution
under coercion l would like the gentle.
man from Massachusetts to designate him.
Mr.. Butler-I am not here to detail
private conversation.
Mr., Blsine-Ah, no; but you will dis
tribute throughout the country unfcund-
ed calumnies, purporting to rest upon as
sertions made in private conversation |
which, when called for, can't be verified. |
Mr.. Butler-PardOn me, sir; | said |
there was a caucus.
Mr.. Blaine-I hope God will pardon
you, but yon ought not to ask me to do it.
(Laughter.)
MIR. Butler.-I will ask God and not
you.
Mr.. Blsine-Iam glad the gentleman
will.
Mr.. Butler--I have no favors to ask of
The devil. The caucus agreed on a def
mite mode of action.
After stating that the chairman of the
caucus declared officially that it was not
binding, Mr.. Blaine proceeded to talk
about the trick. Why, the very infamy
Of political trickery never compassed a
design so foolish and so wicked as to
bring together caucus and attempt to
pledge them to support measures which
might violate not only their political prin-
oiples, but their religious faith as men, to
support a bill drawn by the gentleman
from Massachusetts,, (ButleD which
might violate the conscientious scruples
Of men; and yet, forsooth, he comes in
here, and declares that whatever
he caucus may determine on,
however hastily, you must support
t-howeVer wrongfully. Why, even in
he worst days of Democracy, when
he gentleman himself was in the front
rank of the worse wing, when was it
ever attempted to say that the majority
Of party caucus could bind men upon
that involved questions of con
stituti0nsl Law, personal honor and reli-
yious scruples. In reply to a reference
Of Buffers to the election of Speaker,
Mr.. Blaine said if the minority did not
vote against the decision of the caucus
hat nominated me for Speaker, in nay
Judgment it was not the fault of the gen
.leman from Massachusetts,. (Applause. } /
If the requisite number could have been
found to have gone over to the despised
Nazarene on the opposite side, that gen.
.leman would have led them as calamity
Is he did his forces in the Charleston con-
yention. (Renewedapplause and laughter)
despise and denounce the insolence of
.he gentleman from Massachusetts, when |
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