Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-03-24
Butler and Blaine.

The House Of Representatives has had as
breeze almost equalling that in the Senate IN
intensity, and surprising it in is personal
virulence. Gen. Butler Of Massachusetts,
had prepared bill to repress Kuklux out
iages at the South In a republican caucus,
cighty-two members had voted 70 sustain
this bill, but when an attemp: was made TO
introduce it in the House, a democrat object
ed to immediate action upon it,, and the
speaker sustained his objection. Thcreupon
resolution, prepared by speaker Blaine, was
introduced, and adopted with the AID Of dem
ocratic votes, authorizing the appointment Of
committee Of investigation into the ont
RACES, to sit during the recess ami rc9ort
next winter. The speaker named General
Butler as chairman of this committee. lie
declined to serve in that capacity, and in
circular addressed to the republicans Of the
House, gave his reasons therefor at length
Some Of these. in his own words. were as fol-
lows
shall not serve on that committee, being
convinced, as | am, that no good but harm only
can come Of il to the republican party first, .
because this committee forced upon the re- /
pubcans by the nearly unanimous vote Of the |
democratic party in the House, aided by some .
twenty or thirty republicans only, against the .
decision OF majority Of that party in a duly .
called caucus Of the members Of the House
second, because this committee was raised by
combination Of the high tariff republicans with
the democracy, the one class willing to permit
the slaughter and determination Of theIr political
friends in the South if the tariff could be saved
for nine months by early adjournment
Of Congress, and the democracy acting with
them in pursuance Of q deliberate plan carefully
connected, in my belief, to murder and outrage
enough Union men Of the South to overcome by
fear, intimidation and injury,the republican ma
jority there at the next presidential election.
lie further AYERS that the committee would
have no power to compel the attendance Of
witnesses or to exact answers from those who ,
did come, and that his service as chairman
would furnish the best electioncering docu-
ment that could be placed in the hands ofthe
democracy in the coming contest; because,
much As he is viifed at the South, he would
be well treated if he went there Then it J
would be said that the story Of southern dis
order WAS all false since even General Butler Z
had been unmolested. lie adds hcetiously, t.
that by a parliamentary practice which has
lately heen illustrated in the Senate, the
chairman Of committee should be in bar T.
mony with the majority who constitute it e
a situation he does not occupy. The Gen
eral further explains that he considers the g
discourteous to the Senate. which I
already bad appointed committee of invest IS
igation. I
The open row began in the Hous on a,
Thursday night, when Mr. Dawes Of Mass, III
took Mr.. Butler to task for saying that the Re
was adopted bya trick Mr. m
Butler defended his assertion and added that Ill
he placing him as chairman of the COM vi
nittee was also trick Speaker Blaine su
hen called Mr. Wheeler Of New York, to be
he chair, and taking the door, defended his N N
'wn action and denounced Gen. Buffers pa
curse with yigor lie said IA
. I
louise, aud they will bear me witness that the of
circulation of this letter in the morning prints tr,
Is distribution throughout the land by tee- ma
raph. and the laying it upon the desks Of mem Of
ers is intended TO be by the gentleman from col
Massachusetts, insult to the speaker Of the th
louise As .uch, | resent it. ! denounce the 70,
etter in al it, essential statements and in its on
aud in al its differences and de-
lesn inuendoes groundless without justihcs- inv
81
We to see the day when he Will he ashamed Of IA,
aving written it
Mr. Butler in reply, criticised severely the In
ction Of the speaker in leaving the chsir dis m,
USE Dot question of great public policy. but of
0 minele in personal quarrel and continued m,
1 know man, snd - for ways that are dark :
nd for tricks that are vain, name the spesk- ed
T, and that dare maintain. an
This war Of words continued, growing in 70
bitterness and personality. till three O'Clock tn
n the morning. Ii did little credit 70 those no
concerned in it.and betokened state ofthings Oh
lot very favorable to legislation of any kind tn
It this session. Yet We are not without u, 70
hopes that something can be accomplished. m
The Senate republican caucus has voted in 70
avor of joint committee to investigate the II
condition of affairs at the South, and to ii
pass law that will give the needed protec ne
ion while the investigation is going on. Nv
The adoption Of this plan by the two 6r
branches ought to be satisfactory to all who co
iesire the speedy restoration of order IN le'
he recently rebellious states wi