Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-18
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from Massachusetts, is a very astute lawyer,
but it has fallen under my observation that
he is extremely ignorant of the rules OF the
House. Had the resolution contained those
words it would have been tantamount TO sus-
pending the rules, and one objection would
have prevented it from coming in another.
Mr.. Blaine then proceeded to show the res
olution framed to allow the committee to re-
port at any time during December next, al
luding possibly to the fact that the COM
mttee, like that on reconstruction, OF whlch
Mr.. Butler is chairman, having power to re-
port at any time, had failed to report at all.
And concluded 81 appeal TO members on
both sides of the House and they will bear me
witness that the circulation of this letter in
the morning prints, its distribution through
out the land by telegraph and the laying it up
on the desks of members is intended to be by
the gentleman from Massachusetts not offered
boldly, but covertly, Twill not use the stronger
phrase can insult to the Speaker ofthe House.
AS such, l resent it. l denounce the letter
in all its essential statements, and in its mis-
statements, and all its differences and mean in
uendoes. denounce the letter as groundless,
without justification, and the gentleman HIM
SELF | trust, will live to see the day when he
will be ashamed of having written it,
Mr.. Butler, in reply, criticised severely the
action of the Speaker in leaving the chair to
discuss not question of great public policy,
revenue reform, reconstruction or a measure
of national Importance, but solely to mingle
in personal quarrel. will state what said
when he came to my seat yesterday and
showed me the resolution, and asked me to
go for it, and said that should be the Chair
man of the Committee under it. | said-"I
will be id if l will (Great laughter
Il will have nothing to do with it." / am
sorry to use word here and apologize for it,
but when asked TO betray my associates with
whom l had acted in the caucus it seemed a
very good one to meet the exigency. Laugh-
teri That was my answer, and when he
read the clause containing the appropriation,
even with my ignorance of the rules as he
claims, | told him that the House. if it deter
mined to put the resolution through. it would
escape objection to it to be differently worded.
did this because l believed he suggested to
the gentleman from New York, Mr.. Cox, to
make the point an order against the bill of the
majority of the House, which carried it over
under the Speakers ruling.
Mr.. Cox-Mr. Speaker, that is not true.
Mr.. Butler-I did not say it was true,
said believed it at the time daughter
| believed it for the reason that | saw the
Speaker go over there on the Democratic side
of the House, getting the Democrats to agree
to support the resolution, after he had shown
IL " tut he ulu NE tue lhNOT 10 sHUW IL 10
me first, and then saw him with rich owners
of coal fields, as he was attempting to get the
Democrats to agree.
Mr.. Blaine-I was in favor of the repeal of
the coal tariff and the gentleman was not.
MIR. Butler-I say again for ways that are
dark and tricks that are vain, l will name the
Speaker, and that l rise to explain. There
is one thing more | wish to state. have
been accused of not reporting at any time, as
Chairman of the Select Committee on Recon-
struction. l did report this bill as Chairman
Of the Committee on Reconstruction. and the
Speaker of the House being against it, while
it was being read at the Clerks desk, made a
ruling which allowed Mr.. Wood of New
York 10 introduce joint resolution for the
repeal OF the duty on coal, thereby stopping
the reading Of tile bill, which could never
come up again-a ruling never before made
in this House. and | trust never to be made
again.
Mr.. Blaine-Will the gentleman state the
rule?
Mr.. Butler-Yes; ruling that while a bill
was being read that anybody might interrupt
that reading by a motion to suspend the rules.
Mr.. Blaine-The gentleman certainly does
not want a serious answer. The very prin-
cipel of suspending the rules allows it to be
done when no gentleman is occupying the
floor.
Mr.. Buter-The gentleman by the name of
The Clerk" after the bill was reported by
the Committee of this House, was occupying
the floor by reading the bill at that time, and
the best kind of occupancy of the floor, too,
for the House had right to hear what the bill
was before he was taken from the floor. | do
not care whether | am right or wrong upon
rulings. I admit my ignorance of parlimen-
tary law, and | thank God know no more
about it than i do. Because / see how it
affects mems minds who have made it a study.
(Laughter.) But / do think that if the
Speaker had been half as anxious for the pas
sage of this bill to protect the people of the
South as he was for some land grant meas
ures passed from the Speakers table at the
last session, it would have become law long
ere this.
Mr.. Blaine-Will the gentleman specify
what?
Mr. Butler-Oh, pretty much all of them.
Mr.. Blaine-I do not think it worth while
to say anything more than that, it is simply
and only gratuitous calumny.
Mr. Maynard of Tennessee said that there
could be no diversity OF opinion among loyal
men as to the necessity of investigation, and
they had already sufficient facts demanding
additional legislation.
Mr.. Shellabarger said the Speaker thought
HIOpcI ny his tbuIsts 81 wisely
to the satisfaction of the country, to place
him on the select committee of thirteen con-
stituted yesterday. The country had spec
tacle before it which never before in time
of peace has been seen in civilized country.
Murder stalks through one part of our repub-
lie, and the hideous fact is uncontroverted.
As he was going out of Paris he people
rushing up every street and boulevard.
Thousands were in intense agony. He mar
yelled at what it meant. He ascertained
that it was that Frenchman had been foully
murdered The spectacle startled the entire
people throughout France and the continent.
1t was said a family in France had been Sc
crety murdered, and no portion of the EN-
pire was quiet until the murdered was dis
covered and punished.
Mr.. Brooks of Mass, said that if the dis
cussion was to go out he had no objection
but if no reply was to be allowed to the allie
cations he must object, and woald insist upon
proceeding only in order.
Mr.. Shellabarger expressed the hope that
an opportunity would be given for the debate
to continue for a few days. He would give
all liberty who desired.
Mr. Kelley was willing to let a general de-