Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-17

| INC l1Ouse vi euabItsOlutiOn. why, ever
the insolence of that gentleman himself
never reached that sublime hight before,
Applause On Buffers repeating the
word "trick," Blaine said: There art
certain repelitions which do not amount
to Islander, and the gentleman may repeat
every thing in that connection, as his
colleague Dawes very well says, ''except
truth" Referring to Buffers statement
that the resolution was framed purposely
in the interest of the Democratic party,
so the report could no, be made for a
year, in the face of Demo-
cratic opposition, Blaine said it has
fallen under my observation that
the gentleman is very ignorant
of the rules of this House, and proceeded
to show that the report of the committee
would be in order at any time during the
month of December that the committee
choose to make report. If the power to
report any time had been given, the gen
tlenan might have construed it, as he has
construed it for nearly two years on the
| reconstruction committee, to be power
to report at no time. Mr.. Blaine conclud-
ed by regretting the necessity of his TAX
| ing the floor, but The circulation of Mr..
Buffers letter was intended covertIy as
an insult to the Speaker. As such l re-
sent it. denounce the letter in all its
essential statements, and also its mis-
statements, and in all its mean infer
ences and meaner innuendoes. / denounce
the letter as groundless, without justifca-
ton; and the gentleman himself l trust
will live to see the day when he will be
ashamed of having written it. On But g.,
ler's referring to the Speaker leaving his
chair the first time for two Congresses,
Mr.. Blaine retorted that the preceding in
cumbent of the chair, Colfax, now Vice
President, left the chair to chastise the
insolence of the gentleman.
ButIer's Reply: I" For Ways that
are Dark and Tricks that are
Vain,'' etc.
Mr.. Butler in the course of his reply
said he was careful to draw up his letter
so as purely and conscientiously to state
thenaked facts. The Speaker had shown
him the resolution and said he should be
chairman of the committee. He replied,
81 will be damned if l will. (Great
laughter.) I viii have nothing to do with
it." l am sorry to be obliged to use the |
word here, and apologize for it. But |
when asked to betray my associates, with |
whom had acted in caucus, it seemed a
very good one to meet the exigency. |
(Laughter.) He believed the Speaker |
suggested to MIR. Cox, .of New York, the
point of order against the caucus bill.
Mr.. Cox-That is not true.
Mr.. Butler replied, l did not say it was
true, but believed it at the time, because
Isaw the Speaker colloguing with Demo-
crat, the owner of rich coal fields, as if he |
was trying to get the Democrats to sup
port the resolution.
Mr.. Blainc-I was in favor of the re-
peal Of the coal tariff, and the gentleman
was not.
Butler-I say again, that
For ways that are dark
And tricks that are vain,
name Speaker Blaine
And rise to explain,
[ Laughter. Butler proceeded to say he
knew what was coming and he knew he
could do nothing against the resolution.
The Speaker contrived and it was forced
through by the influence of the Speaker
on the floor and in the chair with the aid
of Democratic votes. He (Butler) exer-
cised his right to address in public let
ter in the newspapers and inspamphlethis
in explanation of his position.
He had replied to Kelly in temperate Ian
guage.
Mr.. Kelley spoke not only for my
self, but for the great body of protection
lists in this House who were wronged by
the statement of the gentleman, as the
vote will show.
Mr.. Butler-Very well. 1 only hope
hat have done those gentlemen no
wrong, because thought if they wanted
10 put before US coal and salt and iron,
instead of drawing out the iron that is
Entering into the souls of our friends at |
he South, they were exceedingly wrong.
All this abuse of me and this getting thus
Wrathy by the Speaker against |
ne does no harm and will not brighten |
anybody. It will not hurt anybody. |
Calling hard names will do no harm to |
ne here or in the country. If l could |
laVe been killed by being called hard
names, l should have died long ago.
laughter have withstood q rougher
ongue than the one just wagged against
ne and have seen abuse with more
ingenuity, but not with such malignity
aunched at me and have survived and
hall have survived after the Speaker of
he House has filed the Presidential
hair very long. He arraigned the
speakers ruling, admitted the ignorance
f Parliamentary law, but said, l thank '
rod know no more about it than l do, |
because l see how it affects the mans 7
mind who has made it a study, Daughter I
Sut do think, if the Speaker had been /
alf as anxious for the passage of this
i'll to protect the people of the South as t
e was for the land grant measure passed | i
rom the Speakers table last session, it /
you'd have become the law long ere this. +c
Blaine-Will the gentleman specify
1hat2
Butler-Oh! pretty much all of them.
Blaine-I do not think it worth while
} say anything more than that it is sim t
ly and only gratuitous calumny.
A number of members spoke briefly of
ne resolution. Maynard would do his u
uty as q member of the committee. Shell
lbarger asked to be excused on account of
health. Blair, of Michigan, chairman
the Republican caucus, said the under
anding was that every one might sup
ort what was best for the country without | =,
himself bound by the bill | y
AIMED in caucus. Garfield objected TO II
I'd criticized Buffers card. n
Kelly, Shellabarger, Burdett, Butler and
obourn were Eeverally excused from ser
ce on the committee. Stevenson, mem
or of the committee, said he would stand Il
? his ground. Il
The House then adjourned. Il
= VI