The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-17
The KukluX Proceedings.

The good news has Il fashion of coming
from Washington in these days. The last
received is that about the laying up of
BuTLER's kuklux hill in the dry dock-tor
Oyerhauling and retitting, or condemnation,
lis the case may be. We have no doubt
the latter will be its fate. Even Speaker
ELAINE seemed to have entered into the
spirit of diSposine OF the mortal remains of
BUFFERS project in an appropriate man
ner. The committee he appointed to bury
II consists mainly of the immediate friends
OF the dead. Mr.. BECK, Of Kentucky, is
appointed for decency's sake, that the be.
reaved should not be entirely neglected.
Mr.. BECK will discharge the duty assigned
him with becoming resignation. lie is Il
man who, while endowed with great de-
gree of practical wisdom and prudence, is
full of good humor and keen perceptions
OF things ludirrOnS. He will enjoy his posi-
ton In the matter of the kukluX proceed.
lngs with Infinite Zcst. lie has Mr.. Cox, of
New York, and three other Democrats to
assist him.
we confess that we are somewhat sur
prised at the sudden estoppel put upon
General BUTLER, as we'll as at the large vote
by which his scheme was put out to dry
nurse until next December. We had some
fears that the Republican party in Congress,
impressed with the necessity Of Il rallying
point to embody its forces for the next
PRESIDENTIAL campaign. had concluded to
pass BUFFERS bill. Every sign indicated
TINS TO be the determination of the leaders
OF the party. SUMMERS degradation and
The result in New Hampshire are the only
means OF explanation of the sudden change
OF programme. 1t iSnot to be doubted that
these untoward events have sent BUTLER
and his immediate supporters to q nine
months sitting upon the kuklux eggs that
Will be found at the end OF the period OF
incubation to be utterly rotten.
The event is really gratifying, though it
Is probable that had Congress passed But
LER's outrageous bill the recoil upon the
Republican party would have been all the
more disastrous. The fate that the bill has
met Is absolutely decisive but it is due
more to the causes we have named than tc
spirit Of clemency and moderation in the
Republican leaders. Still, whatever be the
cause, we look upon the event as one more
cheering to the friends of peace and ordel
than any that has happened in WASHINGTON
the present winter.
That the reader may sec that we have no
misinterpreted the action of Congress no
the temper of the Speaker, we COPY the 70,
lowing Washington letter describing tn
scene Of the adoption Of the resolutio,
sending the whole kuklux business over +
December next: ..-.
"The Democratic strength in the Holls
gave the IN such absolute control OF tn
rules to-day that the Republicans found
impossible to introduce the eXtraordinar,
measure which they had agreed on in eau
Gus last night. Therefore the more liberia
members on that side proposed to abandon
the bill and offer to The Democrats com
promise in the shape of proposition for a
special committee OF thirteen to investigate
the condition IS Of the late insurrectionary
states.' The Democrats agreed to this.
and soon thereafter the Speaker appointed
the committee and gave the Democrats five
members upon it. The rage Of Gen. Butler
and his followers seemed TO know no
bounds when be saw that he was over
slaughed. They refused to vote on the
question. Butler himself declined to even
act as teller, and for few moments it
looked as though they would break up
quorum. Butler charged that the Speaker,
Dir. Peters, OF Maine. who introduced the
resolution, and other Republicans who bad
not attended the caucus last night, came
into the House to-day and sold out the
party: He positively refused to be Daenl-
Der OF the special committee, and lett the
ball y mad as well as q sad man." -