Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-29
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
THE PROOFS OF THE BARGAIN.
Mr.. Butler Arrays the Facts that
Prove mahone's Treachery An
Eloquent Protest Against Frye's
Slanders--The Republican Caucus
Committee.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

SENATE PROCEEDINGS
WASHINGTON, April 2S.-The Vice Presi-
dent having laid before the Senate the un-
finished business, being the resolution for
the election of Senate officers, the usual
motion was submitted by Mr.. Pendleton to
go into executive session, and met with its
uuvarying fate, being lost by vote of yeas
20, nays 81.
Mr.. Butler then took the floor. promising
his speech by reading from the Record the
report Of the colloquy which occurred be-
tween himself and Mr.. Burnside on the
10th inst, during the course of which
he had stated If he did not by irrefragable
evidence establish the fact that there had
been bargain, he would resign his seat In
The Senate. In endeavoring to do so, he
Sesired II TO be understood that with the
ptiyes and purposes and intentions of Sena-
tors as individuals, he had nothing to do.
de was not here to impeach the motives or
to cali into question the individual integ-
rity and honesty of Senators. The Senator
from Virginia (Mr. Mahone) had said that
no man could search the human heart. That
was true. But men were held responsible for
their acts to society, and 1t was his duty as
a Senator 20 criticise the legitimate public
acts, the public votes and public utterances
of all men who belonged to the public. He
made no charge against the Senator from
Virginia. He had nothing but the kindest
feeling for that Senator. But when that
gentleman and his friends rose and charged
the Democrats with revolution and treason,
it was his Mr.. Butler's) duty, In vindication
of himself, to account for the course which
he was taking.
Wbat were the evidences Of the bargain.
First. The Senator from Virginia (Mr.
MahOne) was elected to the Senate as q
Democrat.
Second. His purpose to vote with the
Republicans had never been announced
until his vote had disclosed that fact.
Third. Following that vote he had been
assigned to the Craftsmanship of an impor-
tant committee by the Republican caucus.
Fourth. This had been followed by the
nomination Of Mr.. Rddleberger for Ser
geaut-at-Arms.
Fifth. Geo. c. Gorhsm, an earnest friend
OF the Senator, had been nominated as Sec
retary.
Sixth. He (Mr Mahone) had appointed
Mr.. Gorham's bFother-in-laW as clerk of his
committee.
Seventh. The nominations by the Presi-
dent of Mr.. Mahone's political friends to
Federal offices.
Eis hth. The Senator had voted on every
mOJiOn Win Jle RepuDucanS.
Ninth. By such votes he was carrying out
the will of the Republican caucus.
Tenth. He had moved bis seat to the Re-
publican side of the chamber.
Eleventh. The Republican caucus refused
to transact public business until Gorham
and Riddleberger were elected.
Twelfth. The Senator still claimed to be
8 Democrat and voted with the Republi-
cans.
Thirteenth. Mr. Riddleberger was there
fore offensive to the Republicans.
Fourteenth. The Senator from Ohio (Mr.
Sherman) had avowed that anything that
would beat down the Democratic party was
jusifable.
Fifteenth. The Democratic Senators had
been assailed because they voted as their
consciences dictated in order to divert the
attention of the country from the unlawful
alliance.
Sixteenth Instead Of inviting an investi
CATION of the charges, the Senator from Vr
ginia and his friends sought to prevent free
speech and legitimate discussion by threats
and denunciations.
Seventeenth. The reason assigned for the
coalition was that the Senator from Virginia
was in favor of a free ballot aud fair count.
"a free ballot and a fair count" con-
tinued Mr.. Butler, "when at the last cleo
tion the State of Indiana was colonized with
negro voters from the South In order to
nullify and neutralize the Democratic vote
of that State"
He then proceeded to reply to portions of
Mr.. Frye's speech, regretting that gentle
mans absence. He repelled the assaults
made by that Senator upon the State of
South Carolina, asserting that the people Of
that State were living in peace and har-
monY. Was this insatiate crusade
upon the South never to stop?
| II secession had been a
mistake and a crime, how egregiously had
| the South suffered for 1t. II the mainten-
ance OF slavery had been crime the re-
venges Of time had settled with her for 1t.
| Was there never to be a stop to tantalizing,
misrep presenting and calumniating OF the
people who had had a problem to deal
with, such as no people ever had
| before since civilization had
dawned upon the earth? Instead
of helping to solve that problem the Re-
publican party had thrown obstacles in
| their way, and then cursed and anathema-
t'zed and misrepresented them because they
acted with the Northern Democracy. There
was not in the heart of any Southern man
a scintilla of hostility to the colored race.
He trusted that God would strike him down
and paralyze MS right arm II
he ever had particle of hostility to that
kind hearted race which had protected his
wife and children during the war. 1t was
base calumny on the manhood and honor of
the Southern men to say that they oppressed
the weak and lowly and humble born.
Mr.. Hale said he would not answer in
detail MIR. Buffers speech; his colleague,
Mr.. Frye, would, when he returned, be
amply capable of taking care OF himself.
MIR. Hale then replied briefly to some points
OF Mr.. Buffers speech.
On motion of Mr.. Malone, the resolution
was adopted, calling on the Attorney Gen
eral for copy of the report of Special
Agent g. G. Lancaster to the United States
Marshal for the Western district OF Virginia.
The Senate then, on motion of Mr.. Dawes,
adjourned until Monday.
THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS COMMITTEE.
Il is stated on good authority that the
Republican caucus committee, on the sub
ject of holding executive sessions, ETC.,
will consist of Senators Dawes, Ingalls,,
Jones of Nevada, Cameron Of Wisconsin,