Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-07-29
Garfield and the Baek-Pay
Grab.
New York Sun.

~
ond Congress. 1t has passed
into history as infamous. But
for the duplicity, secret conni-
vance, and treachery of James
A. Garfield, then Chairman of |
the Committee on Appropria-
tons, it could never have been
passed. While ostensibly vot-
ing to defeat the job, and striv-
ing to make a defensible record,
Garfield was in collision with
its managers, and gave them the
opportunity by which, after the
first defeat, they were enabled
to revive their measure, and fl
nally, having thus obtained a
Legislative footing, to carry out
the original design.
This scheme had long been
concocted. The plan was to-
spring it on the House at the
end Of the session. On Feb. Z,
1873, Gen. Butler reported a
bill from the Judiciary Commit
tee to double the pay Of the
President, the Cabinet, Justices
of the Supreme Court, Speaker,
and Congress, the last, like that
of the President, retroactively.
Three days afterward Butler
moved to suspend the rules, with
a view of attaching this bill to
the Miscellaneous Appropria-
ton bill, but was beaten by 80
majority, some of the strongest
friends of the plumber voting
against it for effect. The first
fire was thus drawn, and Butler
knew where to plant his Bate
rics. After this preliminary
skirmish bargains were made
and arrangements were perfec-
ted.
/
The Legislative Appropriation
bill came back to the House on
the Oath of February with nine
ty-seven amendments, some of
them very important. The usu-
al method was to have them
printed so that members might
examine items before the bill
was called up. For reasons that
he did not care TO divulge, Mr..
Garfield took an unusual course.
After 10 o'clock at night he sud
denly appeared in the House,
and is reported in the Globe as
follows:
"Mr. Garfield rise to call up ihe Leg
islative Appropriations bill"
Others followed with motions
for various bills Of a public ma
ture, claiming prompt attention,
and there was much confusion
"Nr Randall demand the regular or
der of business. / insist that the gentle
man from Ohio shall go on with the Appro-
priation bill or yield the floor uncondition-
ally.
"The Speakcr-What has been going or
has bee7. going on By the SuferaRce Of tn,
gentleman from Ohi0. The Chair will
, advise the House that it is his duty forec.
ognize the Appropriation bills before any
and all other business whatever excep
: privileged questions"
Garfield, after having pledged
himself not to call up this bill, and
thus kept away members known
to be hostile to the grab, sprung
it on the House when its oppo.
nents were in bed asleep, ant
compelled the majority to go in
to Committee of the Whole. TIL,
motive of this trickery soon be
! came apparent. 1t was now pas
2 midnight, and the leader of tn,
r confederates came to the front
I AFR. Bu;ler-I move TO amend the amend
ment reported from the Committee Of III
\ Whole, TO be substituted for what sen,
TO the Clerks desk. he sent up the sala
ry grab amendment.
( Mr.. Hawley-I raise The point Of orde
on the amendment that il is not german
10 the amendment reported from the Com
G miftee on Appropriations.
e 'The Chair Mr.. Dawes, who was in th
=, plot overruled the point Of order.
"Mr. HoIman-Then raise the point o
; order that each one Of the salaries enumer
= afed in their proposed amendment is
change existing Law.
I "The Chairman-The Chair rules tina
. so much Of the amendment as increase
n salaries is in order.
= "Nr. Butler--And that is all there is oj
!, Tie 0men'imeRt"
I On the 2Sth Of February, jus
o before midnight, the bill final,
4 was reported to the House, wher
4 the permanent record of vote
2 had TO be confronted:
4 "Mr. Cox-I want TO put in my protest
. J or Oit VI tIbS llOuHe, dEdlnbl IN
l creasing my own salary by my own vote.
c "Mr. Garfield must make the poi,,
s IF order that gentlemen must c0nfn
themselves TO the subject under consider
Z GttOh.'
; a special vote was demanded
l. on the Butler amendment, ant
c it was beaten by fifty-two major
Il ity on the yeas and nays. Blu
this vote was not sincere, 70
D Butler is recorded against hi
u own proposition. In a few min
utes he moved to reconsider tn,
vote just taken; and pending
S that motion, | move that tn,
: House adjourn. The hour i
s late and the House is very thin.
j Laughter.
Only brief discussion was
! now allowed and the pith of i
I