New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-16
xLup CONGRESSES SESSION


BILL.
TBY TKLEGRAPH TO THR TRIBUNRi
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, March IS, 1871.
me political world of Washington is in turmoil OF OK
sitement tonight the action Of the House to-day on
the subject Of KuKlux egislation and those who stood
by Gen Butler and the action of the caucus are almost
furious those who did not attend the caucus and wh
uniting with the Democrats, defeated the will OF the
majority of the Republicans. As soon as the House
met this morning. the Democrats moved TO ADJOURN Dut
the Republicans, voting wen together, defeated the
movement. Theu Mr.. Randall moved TO FIX the time OF
che next session. but this was also voted down. These
motions were repeated for about two hours, and at last
m was made with the Democrats by some
Of the Republicans who nat having been at the caucus
and therefore, not considering themselves bound by
st. allowed the State Of Maine TO be called.
Then Mr.. Lynch, the only member from
Maine who was at tho caucus last night and
70 whom Gen Butler had intrusted his BILL presented it.
Mr. Cox Of EewYork, by previous arrangement, CD
Tested, the ground that notice had been given
This point sustained, and the Butler bill thus ruled
out. Bills and resolutions being still in order from
Maine Mr. Peters then able TO present his resolution
directing the appointment OF investigating com
mitee and this, being only House resoiu
ton, did not come under the rule by winch
she Butler bill was ruled out The previous
question having been called it seconded the Vo'e
standing 100 TO l6 About 90 Of the majority were Demo
Gratis, and dozen Republicans On the passage OF the
resolution the vote was 126 Yeas 10 Nays, the majority
consisting Of 6S Democrats and IS Republicans. Fehdng
a motion to reconsider motion TO adjourn was tabled
by vote OF l22 10 rs, AID then the reeonsdera-
ton was also tabled Those who stood 10y
The action OF tho complain bitterly
OF the Republicans who defeated its policy. Many of
them say that while they admit the impraccabiity OF
enforcing or even passing the bill as reported from the
Caucus Committees. the Republicans could, had they
stood together as firmly as the Democrats always do
have got the subject before the House. when the bill
might have been amended and improved; and,
even though it shonld finally fail, the sub
ject would have been discussed, and one end
that Of making public the exact state of affairs
in the sOuth-would have been gained. An exam
inaton Of the vote viii also show that Of the South
Republicans who strongly in favor of protective
legislation voted In favor Of the Peters resolution They
did his on the ground that it is necessary 10 do some
thing and that positive legislation can't be secured
4hs Spring II is better to have the matter examined than
70 adjourn without action The provisions Of Mr. Buffers
hill do not meet the unanimous approval Of Southern
Republicans especially those who represent States where
order prevails They that they cannot vote to make
a crime in their States which is not crime in
the North that they believe such action 10 be unconst
tutiona and insulting to the people Of such States
ne Kentucky and Louisiana. They willing to
do everything in their power to help their South
ern friends, but say that they cannot support
any legislation which treats their own constituencies
differently those OF OeIl
Ter this evening charactorzcs the action of the few
Republicans who defeated him Legislative trick,
and ne uses forcble adectives in speaking Of it, He
will attempt again tomorrow TO introduce his BILL but
expects to be defeated by four or five majority
GEN Butler said after the adjournment Of the House
to-day that be would account serve Oh the Com
mittee on Southern Ourages He considers the aban-
dOnment OF his bin by the Republicans, and the adoption
the resolution for investigating committee as
substitute for the legislation he proposed, as great
piece Of folly. The Committee, he thinks, viii do no
good, and will learn nothing worth knowing. Nobody
who opposes the KuKlux outrages win dare
10 give testimony before the Committee
for fear Of being murdered Gfterward, and if
she Committee succeed in compelling the attendance Of
any members Of the reasonable organization as wit
nesscs, they cannot compel them to testify. Such
witnesses would only have to refuse to disclose any
thing defeat the object OF the investigation for the
Committee would have no power to hold them IN arrest
or punish them for contempt, and could only
report such cases for the action OF the House
next December. Gen. Butler says that if he should 60
South Chairman Of the Committee, he has no doubt
that he would be treated with proper courtesy and re-
spett and would be allowed to travel where he pleased
without threats mOlestaon Then, after the return
Of the Committee, when the Republicans in the next
campaign TO call attention TO the murders and cru
cities Of daily occurrence in the South they would be
met with the reply from the Democrats that the fact that
The man most intensely hated in the South had Travelled
there In perfect safety for months sufficient proof
that such state Of violence exists has been repre-
aenied Judge Kelley also declines TO the Com
Inittce account OF urgent business affairs requiring
his attention and il is understood that Mr.. Cox viii also
decline. Several gentlemen appointed upon the Com
nitee do not share Gen. Buffers that they
will be ancably received and feel rather about
veuturnc into the Southern country.
In the Senate to-day, nothing but morning hour bust
was transacted, and the session lasted only
hour. Among the hills introduced several land
grant Jobs MI Wilson, whom the morning papers rep
resented being seriously III at his lodgings,
in his scat looking as wei as
ever. At his instance, bill was passed giving
O bounty 10 all enlisted between the dates Of May
and July D. 1861. Aferward a motion TO reconsider
made by Mr. Morrill, Ofvermont who ntimated that
the bin would call for 100000 Mr.. Wilson stated that
the estimate that only half a million would be re
CURED, but he oontended that matter how much it
took the Government under decision Of the Supreme
Court. rightfuy snnd for it, Mr.. Sumner did not
much east down by the New Hampshire election
turns and had long talk the subject with Mr. Cra-
gin. After short Executive Session the Senate ad-
journed The Democrats left and the Republican Sena-
remained with closed DOORS to conclude the consd
GRAFTON Of the bill submitted by Mr. Morton for the pro-
section OF life and property in the South.
The Senate Republican session this after
noon FOR several hours The Senators considered the
proposed Ku-Klux legislation the New-Hampshire cleo
ton and the resolution of the House for Select Com
mittee OF resignation. The discussion the first point
was over proposition TO refer the BILL reported by Mr.
Morton, TO the judiciary Committee, which Mr.. Trum-
ball was urgent in demanding. He opposed such egsa-
ton declaring that the people tired Of it ALSO and
that no good could come. Messrs Morton, Stewart and
others opposed reference and urged that to enforce
the laws and protect life and liberty Of discussion
always popular measures. Before any decision was
reached the news came Of the action Of the House
Mr.. Petcrs's resolution and transcript having been
procured by Mr. Trumbul, the question OF the Senate
directing its Select Committee TO act as Joint Commit
tee was taken up and discussed for over an hour.
During the session there were several sharp passages at