The daily gazette., 1877-06-07
Ben Butler to MacVeagh


Simon .CamGrOn'S S0n-in-IaV Most
Scientifically SCarifed. ~
WHAT THE GENERAL, DIDN'T SAY,
AND WHAT HE DLD-CONPTDLNG
NEGROES CIIEA ATED-NA1fES OF
WITNESSES READY WHEN WANT
ED-MACTEA CHS FINAACIA AND
DIPLOMATIC HOPES - va TTTNG
FOR THE SHOES OF DEAD MEN.
WASHINGTON, d. O.. May 80.
DEAR SiR:-I received yours of the
18th instant in manuscript, after having
read 1t in print. ...,...
+ l dictated to my Photographic secre-
tary a letter to Marshal Pitkin, in reply
to one informing me that his resignation
had been demanosd by the Executive, and
to that demand he had refused to accede,
and sent 1t, marking it personal, so that
| am in no way responsible for its getting
into print.
The facts that are recited therein were
| stated especially to be from information
| which had received from credible sources
Of course, could know nothing of the
occurrence personally, and of course did
not undertake to give them either publi
! cation or personal endorsement, save
that believed them.
If you had addressed me even a print
ed letter, couched in the ordinarily cour-
teous language which passes between
gentlemen, especially when the one who
uses it, it is rumored, is expecting en-
ployment in the diplomatic service of
his country, should have very promptly
upon being set right, made reparation so
far as in my power for any injury arising
from publication even for which l was
not reasonable.
/ never thought of charging you with
using your own money, of which you de-
clare you chad none to spare," in paying
the mileage of the deserting legislators Of
the Packard House. You will observe
reading my letter more carefully that l
did not even allege that cit was asserted"
that any money was paid; my phrase
being, sit is asserted that two thousand
dollars was to be paid to the leading de-
serting legislators, and only two hundred
dollars to others, disguised in the latter
case in the shape of mileage, so that Mr..
johnson, a colored man, speaking out eff
the innocence of his heart, said, on the
floor of the House, that all he wanted
was to get his mileage and go home"
Now, how any person could find in
such statement an assertion that he
paid any money, passes my comprehen-
sion. expressly say that poor johnson
declared that she aDanted to get his mon
ey ast5i go home," not that he had got it.
1t never occurred to me that any money
was paid, only promised; or that the legis-
lators got their money for deserting any
more than Wharton has got his office for
not "managipg any business" On the
contrary, was told that, although the
money was promised as bribe for the
desertion, the poor fellows did not get it,
but were required further to vote for Mr..
Spoford as Senator before they could get
even what was due them. Now, do not
know this fact, but hope and believe the
Senate will ascertain it on investigation
| in the contest for the Senator's seat. l
would suggest to the Senate Committee
| to ask certain members of the Packard
Legislature, whose names will give,
whether, after all efforts to demoralize
the Republican members and get them
to 60 over to Nichols by the Commission
acting together failed, selected portion
of that legislature were requested by Col.
Wharton, friend of Packard, TO meet
Wayne MacVeagh, and did so. Whether
he addressed them, saying that the
President would not recognize the Pack
ard Government; that the troops would
be withdrawn the next day; that he had
telegram to that effect, that if they
would go over to the Nichols Legislature
they would be recognized, and seated,
and get their mileage, but if they did not
do SO within twenty-four hours their
seats would be declared vacant, and they
would lose all. If the Committee push
their inquiry, firmly believe upon evil
dence they will find what have suggest
ed to be substantially true. Now do not
deny the words of this. ] see you are
fond of denying swords" Il
read in your letter that you say Whar-
ton "did not manage or transact any kind
of business for me-" Certainly not. Bless
your soul! you do not call such tricks as
these business, do you =? They are not
business, even if you should get that for
eign mission for doing them, which 1
hope you will.
L Jul iuibhCi odJ1 wv hai LOl 40
friend of Packard" All the better in
strument, therefore, to get Packard's
friends away from him. 1t was well
done, and does credit to your training.
You say further: "Strange as it may
appear to some of them, political results
are still attainable in this country by
straightforward and honest methods"
True it did seem strange to me, for in
thirty years. experience in the ways of
Pennsylvania political "methods" and
politicians in both parties, it did seem
strange if this transaction was either
straightforward or "honest." You
made good point on me there.
l frankly confess had no evidence
then, and have none now, that you paid
any money to these deluded men after it
had been promised them. desire, in
the most solemn manner, to acquit you
of having ever paid away any money. L
knew, as you say in your letter, that you
had ''none to spare" and l believed, if