Daily globe., 1878-04-09
Rouse of REPRESENTATIVES.

WASHINGTON, April 8.--On the meeting of the
House to-day, there was q very full attendance
Of members, and the galleries were crowded in
expectation of exciting scenes upon the ques-
ton OF election of the doorkeeper. Immedi-
ately after reading the journal, the speaker said
the first question to be considered was whether
the resolution presented Friday by the gentle
man from Massachusetts (Buter) presented a
question OF privilege.
The House by a rit1 roce vote msnifestly de-
cided it did, but Mr.. Conger thought as the
action of the House would establish prece-
dent, it would be better to take vote by yeas
and nays, and they also ordered, and re-
su}ted yeas 219, nays i. The negative votes
were Bland. Miles, Throckmorton and Young.
The speaker stated the House having just de-
eided the resolution to be question of privil-
ese, the resolution was before the House. 1t is
in these words:
EcSolud, That the House proceed to the cleo
ton of door-keeper, and that the true Union
manned soldier, Brig. Gen. Shields, of Missou-
RI be chosen to that Office.
MI. Clymer asked Mr. Butler to allow him to
offer ubstitute for the resolution, and offered
the following:
Re$o7e7, That the House proceed to the cleo
ton Of door-keeper.
Mr.. Butler-I desire that the exact state of
| suggest to the gentleman from Pennsylvania
that we men of business we give atten-
tion to the matter in hand. understand that
since the last adj journment there has been
caucus Of Democratic members and that the
candidate of their choice is to be put forward.
Why not insert ir the substitute the name of
that candidate and let the House determine be-
tween the two?
Mr.. Clymer-If the gentleman withcraws the
nomination contained in his resolution we can
arrive at this thing by single vote. but if he
will not do so prefer to adhere to the substi-
tutc as offered This will throw the question
open to nominations under the rule Of the
House.
Mr.. Butler-I cannot withdraw my nomina-
ton. l did not propose to so into this matter
with any idea Of catches, or parliamentary
rules ! want to meet the question fairly in
the face, and, therefore, Jsuggest that the name
OF the other candidates be placed in the sub
at;tute.
Mr. Clymer-If the gentleman yields to me
will offer the substitute, and demand the pre-
vous question.
Mr. Butler-Oh, pardon did not yield
for that. That is a trick that will not do.
Mr.. Clymer-The gentleman has no right to
accuse me of desiring to perpetrate fraud on
The House. 1t is unkind, to say the least of it.
Mr. Butler-I will Withdraw if YOU assert it
was not so intended.
Mr.. Clymer-Certainly there is no trick
about it,
MIR. Butler-very we'll, l withdraw the prop
osition. Aquestion was raised whether l had
the right to offer a resolution on that point. !
desire to submit letter from Gen. Shields.
Mr. Butler then sent to the clerks desk, and
had read letter to himself from Gen. Shields,
asking him when the Senate bill increasing his
pension to $50 month, should come before
the House, try and make it $100, adding that
others who had suffered less, and not done
more, on the retired list, and that this
kind act would not iniure him (Mr, Butler) in
New England.
Mr. Eden suggested that if MIR. Butler would
offer that amendment to the Senate bill all the
Democrats would vote for it.
Mr.. Butler, scornfully-Oh yes. I hold that
letter a justification if, when I find an office
vacant, instead Of making the old veteran of
the Mexican war eat the bread of pension and
dependence, would give him, SO far as I was
concerned, an office in which he can earn his
living, and hold an honorable office. The only
complaint that heard was from the gentleman
from New York, Mr.. Cox, that Gen Shields
too good for it-that he was too high,
and too noble for it. This letter is my
warrant for doing it. l do not
for any other soldier in the same condition.
am quite certain that should. 4 Now here is
Union general, Mexican general, twice
wounded on the glorious road to Mexico, a man
without reproach, man not seeking the Office
for if he had written to me to present his
name for the Office of door1eeper, should have
hesitated. But man who is now travelling
through New England to earn his living BY
lecturing, and when such man presents him
self before me asking for pittance of 500 a
montl--he gets but Ss30-and when I see a
place where he can get 5000 and earn it honor
ably and fairly, have I not done right in bring
ing his name before the House.
Mr.. Stenger-Does not the gentleman know