New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-11-26
GENERAL POLITICAL NEWS.
GEN B1TLER UNCoMMUNICATIvE.

GEN. BUTLER UNC0MMUNICAT1VE
NE THINKS THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS NO
FINANCIAL POLICY, But HAS NOTHING 10 SAY
ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE. =,
The Massachusetts, Congressman 1rom the
Essex District in the city yesterday anu "
npon by TRIBUNE reporter IL was no' 49,
Gen Butler would overflow with gooo huuOr VI 70 ,'
communicative with the circumstances OF recent olsap
,.o,nr,ent vvid,v in his mind He certainly ala not
proye 10 be verbose but he was by no means
rourtesy The inquirer was readily received o9 VIC P0
,,cian Who was seated by glowing fire In @ pleasant
raror Of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. with newspaper IN
his hand There look Of discomfort In repose on
RS face and touch Of WEAKNESS in his manner when
aeemed TO indicate the imprint OF recent fagues anu
reyerses He was asked II his visit to tue CITY hau
ANYTHING TO do with legal relation octher the beeeneF
or the Moulton suit lie plaeidly suggested IN repv
that the reason OF his presence in the city hao 10 uo
entirely with his private business; and in reply 10
another inquiry If he not willing TO say whether
he had been engaged counsel in the Beecher or Mou
Ton cases he again referred 10 the boundaries OF MS
private business and remarked gently Il 90 not pro-
pose to state anything about that. have not given
any information about it before and shall say no'h
Ing"
Leaving this rather barren field OF Inquiry AFTER some
intermediate conversation, the reporter tried 10 learn
Gen Buers opinions the and results OF tho
issue OF the present elections Gen. Butler did not seze
on this subject with avidity-which perhaps was hi'
TO be expected-and at the outset put soine'"i"H "
damper on the conversation in that direction ny 'e "
sver: Il indicated my opinions on tnoSo MATES
during the canvass. don't intend TO express any '"'
o,or, tbem powD When requested to sum up wnat ne
had sa,l durug the canvass about the probable unah
eia policy Of the victorious party or 10 'ei "ha' no
now thought 1t would be, he replied, with cOnsderaoie
decision "The Democratic party hasn't any nnanci"
polcv The Western Democrats 90 for SOFT money tne
Eastern Democrats want hard money couldn't e1-
when they
any policy" go
The ipoorer asked What counsels do you think VIII
prcyai in the Democratic party, those OF the Eastern
DR. OF the Western mOcracy =" Butler retorted: ~ am
NOT in the councils of the Democracy and am not lh
clined to give any opinion about It, The Democrats
voted about half and half in the last session OF Con-
gres But turning his face moro fully to his inter
rocator, raising one cyolid and assuming look OF
pleasant DISCRIMINATORY. 81 shall not say anything
about these things. have made up my nina not 10
express any opinion about them. have told you
nothing and have nothing tell you" He then said
slowly and very blandly, "Now, don't you 80 ana
represent saying something when nave said
nothing"
Reporter-II be careful not to put any words In your
mouth which you have not spoken.
Gen. Buter-But have said nothing.
O. Are you willing to say anything about the causes
and results Of the Massachusetts election A. No.
O. Would you consent to make any explanation OF the
result in your own district Was unexpected to you
A. No, will say nothing.
The bafHed inquirer arose, and in taking his leave,
expressed thanks to Gen. Butler for the time allowed
him look Of surprise lighened Mr. Buffers face and
raising both eyelids he suggested that there was no
occasion for gratitude because" he said have told
yor nothing" When reminded that so courteous re-
ception and refusal 10 converse by no means
general and that many men delight TO decline In the
most discourteOus way, he remarked in parting:
"There no need Of mans not being polite about these
things. Even If has nothing to say he can be cour
teous about It," With this Chesteraeldan hint he babe
his visitor good day.