Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1871-03-29
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON
The GrOundswell in the Re-
publican Party--Ben BGt-
Ter BastinadOed--HOw New
Hampshire Fell Upon the
White HOmSR.


Hampshire Fell Upon the
White House.
Special Correspondence of the Gin. Enqurcrl
WASHINGTON. d. c., March 10, 1871.
The good work of disinteg-
ration and generalization in
the Republican organization in
Congress goes on in a way most
cheering to the souls of Chris
tians and patriots. Following
close upon the heels of the row
over the Senatorial Capon in
the north end Eof the Capitol,
and the crushing defeat of Re.
publicanism in the Granite
State, came the cat-and.dog
fight in the House this morn.
ing, growing out of, the defeat
of Beast Buffers scheme for
the subjugation of the South.
Benjamin had nicely cut and
dried his Infamous measure,
and he expected to ram it
down the throat of the House
through the operation of eau
Gus machinery, and by the ex-
ercise Of his own personal will.
But liberal and sensible Re-
publicans were not to be hood.
winked in that kind of style.
Backed by the Democratic
phalanx, they headed Benja-
min off in the most adroit
manner, by the adoption of a
resolution providing for the
appointment of a committee of
thirteen to investigate and in.
quire into the condition of af:
fairs in the South. This was
exactly what Butler didn't
want, though the Speaker was
considerate enough to make
him Chairman of this commit.
tee. Benjamin was too wrath
to serve. Sitting down he in
'dited that wonderful pronun-
ciamento, which was given to
the country this morning, full
Of self glorifcation, misrepre,
sentation and lying innuendo.
He charged especially that the
resolution had been adopted
through treachery to the Re-
publican caucus, and that the
coalition of ffty-eight Repub-
cans with the Democratic mi
nority was a base trick. De-
siringt to get the full benefit of
his wonderful document, he
had copies of it printed and
laid upon the desks of members.
The prayer of the Chaplain
had scarcely died away this
morning, when the rumble of
battle was heard. First came
Pig,Iron Kelley, claiming to
be threatened with pulmonary
affection, and denying the
charge made by Butler that
the Republican Protectionists
had formed q coalition with
the Democracy to defeat his
pet scheme of Raw-head and
Bloody.bones legislation, in
order that Congress might ad,
journ early, and the Tariff bill
be thereby saved from harm.
Then came the virulent Ogre,
Butler, reafirming and renew.
ing his charges against the
recreant Republicans. The
resolution raising the Commit
tee of Investigation was drawn
by Speaker Blaine, and Butler
was aware of the fact. In his
truculent circular he had vague
ly limited at the Speaker in
such a way as to call for an
explanation from him. This
was vouchsafed. Calling Mr..
Weller, of New York, to the
chair, the Speaker buttoned his
coat close around him and took
his place upon the floor. 1t
was the first time in years that
a Speaker had felt called upon
to exercise his right TO partlci-
pate in debate. The points of
his speech have already been
given you by telegraph. It|
was a remarkable effort, and
the excitement produced in the
House exceeded any thing of
the kind witnessed in years.
The members nearly all rose
in their seats or gathered
about the seething Knight of
the Gravel to catch every pas
sionate utterance. The spec
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