Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-03-23
Tne ButIer-RIaine Controversy
an EXCITING SCENE IN CONGRESS.

Mr.. Kelley oS Pennsylvania asked to
oa excused frem serving as a member OF
the select committee on the investigation
If the southern outrages. Neither the
condition of his health nor his affairs
permitted him TO pledge this summer to
any nublio duties. He was now under
medical charge, threatened with pulmo-
nary sfi,ction, and, therefore, after the
adjournment of Congress-, must seek re-
nose and not labor. He invited attention
to the circulars laid on the desks OF the
members. addressed to the Republicans OF
the Home of Representatives, signed by
B.. Butler. Was it charged that this
committee WAS raised by combination OF
the high tariff republicans with the de-
mocrscv He begged leave most emphati-
3.llv 10 deny that assertion, and to say
that he W g on the floor yesterday as a
biyb tariff republican, and voted on every
1neetton put while his health permitted
6,m 30 he there. and by an examination
If the Journal 1t would be found that his
7iewa on all questions would be consistent
with those of the gentleman from Massa-
ohrsetts Rutlrrl while the revenue re-
formers around me were men who Jnlned
with the democratic party of the House,
and saved it's ascendancy and success In
assanlts upon the industry of the country,
by showing a determination to rush
through, without debate or reconsidera-
ton, "a repeal of duties on articles in the
production of which many thousands of
American laborers were employed; all
gotad against me when they voted in op-
POSITION to my aoouser, the gentleman
fr,m Massachusetts. Ia the name of the
industrial interests of the country and
their representatives. upon the floor, he
made this early, earnest and honest pro-
test against this false and unfounded ac-
onsat;on, and having done this asked the
Hnu.e to excuse him from serving on the
committee.
Mr.. Butler Of Massaehusetts-I may be
pardoued for saying word in reply to
what has been said by my friend from
Pennsylvania. l have made no accusation
sxainst him. His vote has always been in
accordance with his party obligations. l
know he is not one of those who entered
into the combination but, ask, is there
any other high tariff gentleman who de.
sires the floor to explain his vote ? I say
again, aralyze the votes, and while admit.
ting that two or three high tariff men
have voted with the republican party, /
saw and I resffirm that this resolution,
which e obnoxious TO a majority Of the
republicans on this floor, was put through
lest there should be any legislation on the
tariff.
Mr.. Peters of Maine-Will the gentle
man yield to me for a question:
Mr.. ButIer--Yes, sir.
Mr.. Peters-I wish to ask if the gentle
man is not aware that the majority OF the
republican members who voted yesterday
On the resolution voted for il. 2
Mr.. Butier--I am not.
Mr.. Peters-An analysis of the yeas and
nays made by many gentlemen shows that
afty-eight republicans voted for and fifty
70, >ablicans against the resolution.
M, Rutler-I understand that all per.
iac.lx che resolution was sprung upon
tIa Horsa >~tsny of the warmest oppo-
nants 80 ,ha rasol,, 'sieG voted for it because
as southern men, as ,,tber good republi-
cans, they saw from the trlek that was
played upon them that there ~oaia De no |.
other legislation except this il. favor OF
the South, and they did not like to Vo'e
against it.
Mr.. Dawes-I would like to ask my
colleague question.
Mr.. Butler-Let me finish my sentence.
lhereupon they voted in that way so that
they might not be placed in a seemingly
false position at home. But that was not
tne way In which the eighty-four men
who attended the republican caucus held
the night before, which many of these
gentlemen who voted for the resolution
aid not attend, or left before its resolu.