New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-03-17
WHOLE NUMBER 1901.


Mr.. Butler said he supposed h
might be pardoned for saying wort
in reply to what had fallen from hi
friend fOm Pennsylvania. He ha,
made no accusation against him. His vOt
had always been i'll accordance with part,
obligations. The gentleman attended tn
caucuses as long as his hcalth.wOuld permit
and he was not one OF those who entered
the combination. An analysis of the vot,
would show that the resolution for investi
CATION, which was so obnoxious to Repub
leans on this floor, was put through Will
the votes Of high tariff gentlemen. lest ther'
should be- legislation on the tariff.
Mr.. Peters inquired whether the majority
of the Republicans who were present yes
terday did not vote for the resolution Al
analysis OF the vote showed this to lie the
fact.
Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts, said the
resolution was sprung on the House. Many
warm opponents of the resolution voted fOl
it because, as Southern men, they saw from
the trick played upon them that they could
get no legislation for the South. and with
the aid Of the Democratic majority they
carried the resolution, in defiance of the
eighty-fOur Republicans in caucus.
Mr.. Dawes asked his colleague to state
explicitly to the House what he meant by
the trick which he had applied to his fellow
members on this floor He wished to know
what his colleague meant by applying that
term to tifty-eight OF his political associates
on this floor who differed with the other
fifty Republicans, acting on the same sense
of responsibility as did his colleague.
Mr.. Butler replied he had said the resoll-
ton was sprung on the House by a trick,
titty-eight Republicans who voted for the
resolution.
There were men in the caucus who stayed
only until they found what action was to lie
taken, or not attend the caucus. and after
ward voted Will. the Democrats to thwart
the party. This was a legislative trick, and
this he said with full responsibility.
Messrs. Kelley and Butler had further
tolioquy about the tariff principles OF gen
tlelnen whs voted for the resolution, during
which the latter said he did not desire
legislation shaped by Democrats, but always
by ii Republican majority.
Mr.. Peters said the resolution proposing
u select committee was written by his col
league and friend, Mr. Blaine. The friends
of the resolution went about the House and
consulted with other gentlemen. Many of
the Republicans thought the resolution was
desirable as "a compromise and ought to
pass, even if other legislation was to come.
1t was not sprung upon the House, for all
notice was given that could be given in the
way he had Just mentioned. 1t was also
shown to the gentleman from Massachu-
setts.
Mr.. Butler: What was the answer!
Mr.. Peters replied he stated the fact, not
being called on to give the answer.
Mr.. Butler: The answer was, that on no
condition could vote for it.
Mr.. Peters resumed, saying that it was
stated in the caucus that its action was not
binding, but that it was understood the bill
for protection OF loyal citizens should be
introduced, leaving all at liberty to do what
they thought proper to come to some action
upon it. There was no trick whatever in
the case. But acting on his own convic-
tions and responsibility, no caucus deter
mination would have restrained him from
the right He would, however. 90 into IL
caucus and bind himself for the Urganiza-
ton of the House. He would go into a eau
Gus and. If possible, agree with his friends
to certain extent. bat he was not to be
coerced in voting against 4 measure
because the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts opposed it, or gentlemen
on the other side advocated it: he was not to
be driven to vote for free salt or for coal
because the Democracy want them. He
was glad they agreed with him when he
stood upon his opinions and convictions.
He believed the resolution was statutory.
and he congratulated the House it had been
passed by the ma ajority of all the Republi-
caus and Democrats who voted
Butler asked what the gentleman would
have thought OF him, or ten of their friends,
who. havin. attended "a caucus and agreed
upon a nominee, should come into the
House and throw the Speakership into the
hands Of the Democrats
Mr.. Peters: l should suppose you had
some devilish design.
Mr.. Butler: We agree fully. Laughter
[Mr. Wheeler in the chair.
Speaker Blaine: desire to ask the gen.
tleman from Massachusetts Mr.. Butler
he denies to me the right to have
drawn the resolution.
Mr.. Butler: l have made no assertion on
that subject one way or the other.
Speaker Blaine: Did not the gentleman
distinctly know that | drew it!
Mr.. Butler No, sir.
Mr. Blaine: Did not take it to the gen
tleman and read it to him.
Mr. Butler: Yes, sir.
Mr. Blaine: Did l not show him the
Mr.. Butler: Yes, sir.
Mr.. Blaine: In my own handwriting
Mr.. Butler: No, sir.
Mr.. Blaine: And at his own suggestion l
added these words: And the expenses of
the committee shall be paid from the con-
tingent fund OF the House of Representa-
tives." Applause. And the fact that
ways and means were wanted to pay eX-
penses was the only objection he made
to it.
Mr.. Butler: What was the answer the
gentleman made! l suppose l may ask
that now, that the Speaker has come upon
the floor!
Mr.. Blaine: The answer was that imme-
liately wrote the amendment providing
for the payment of the expenses OF the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Butler: What was my answer! Was
t not that under no circumstances would
nave anything to do with it being bound by
he action of the caucus!
Mr.. Blaine: No, sir. The answer was that,
lnGer rule No. ii, circumstances would re-
Iuire your services as chairman.
Mr.. Butler: Or have anything to do with
he resolution?
Mr.. Blaine: There are two hundred and
members Of the House of Rep
A committee Of thirteen can
,e found without the gentleman from Mas
essential to the constitution of the COM
nittee.
Mr.. Butler: Why did you not find such
then!
Mr.. Blaine: Because l know very well
hat if omitted the appointment of the gen
leman, it would be heralded throughout
he length and breadth of the country, by
he claqueurs who have so lndustriously dis
ributed this letter this morning, that the
speaker had packed the committee, as the
gentleman said he would. with weak -kneed
who would not go into an in
ingenuously; he would say that
vas the reason. [Applause.] So, that the
hair laid the responsibility upon the gen
leman OF declining the appointment.
MIR. Butler: knew that was the trick