Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-21
INTERVIEWING GEN. BUTLER.
The Washington Headquarters Of the
Governor Of Massachusetts.

The Washington Headquarters Of the
Governor Of Massachusetts.
THE EXPERIENCE OF THE STAR REPORTER IN GET
TING AT THE VIEWS OF THE GOvERNOR-HE Ex-
PLAINS HIS CONNECTION WITH THE CIVIL
RIGHTS BILL-BUT DECLINES TO DELIVER HIM
SELF OF ANY POLITICAL UTTERANCES.
ihe stately granite residence Of Gov. Benz. F.
Butter. On New Jersey avenue, looks down con-
temptuously upon small sQuatty brick struc-
ture IN its rear. That meanfooklng little build
ing is the office OF the noted politician and law
yer STAR reporter, who was sent in quest
of Gov. Butler, was directed to his office. The
front door was open, but there was neither bell
nor knocker with which to herald ones approach
Peering into the hall, small tin sign, bearing
the word Private, was observed upon the door
of the first room. A door further down the hall
Indicated another room. and it bore cheap tin
sign with Gen. Butler" painted upon it. At
THIS door the reporter ventured to knock, and a
sort OF tremulOuS "come i'm was uttered from
within. Entering. THE STAR man found him
sell IN a room about the ordinary office SIZE
dlngy and poorly furnished like the office of a
western frontier lawyer struggling against ad-
verse fortune. 1t was cold and cherries. One
OF Gen. Buffers clerks sat writing at table.
with an OverEOat buttoned up to his ears, and
1t was his voice, shaking with cold, that had
Oade the reporter enter.
THE GOVERNOR ARRIVES.
The reporter was invited to await Governor
Buffers return. About a quarter past ten a.
m. Governor Butler and his partner, Mr. Bar
rett, entered together, but the former went d.
rect into his private room, without bestOwing 80
much as nod upon any of the several gentle
men who had assembled during his absence for
Of A holt hn,,
passed and yet not sound came from the inner
sanctuary. Nor did any of the visitors mani
fest impatience; they seemed to know the man
and to understand that they must bide his time.
At last bell summoned the Office boy. Call
Captain Grant. said the governor. as If ordering
the summons of a witness Captain Grant had
his interview, followed in order by the others,
the Office boy preceding each one to learn the
governors pleasure, until The STAR mans time
Game. The reporter entered the private room
ana discovered the governor scanning closely
the card he had sent in.
DON'T CARE TO SAY ANYTHING.
Looking up, the general extended his hand
half echanically, but said not word. "Gov-
ernOr," began the scribe, 'THE STAR has sent
me to obtain your views upon some questions
of public interest. as your opinions and sugges-
tions are always interesting to the American
people" Gen. Butler darted a sort of disdainful
say: young man, you might catch some states
men with such taffy, but you are wasting your
sweetness now" He didn't say this. however,
but instead, remarked, somewhat bluntly: -Four
gentlemen OF the press have been to see me
already, but believe there's nothing | care to
say at present. unless (after an instant's hesita-
tloD it be to correct the report, extensively
published, that was the author OF the civil
rights bill"
'.lay say that ?" inquired the reporter.
tl(riVrn thA - u
tatvely, replied the governor, as he picked up a
volume OF the Congressional Record "YOu can
take it from the RtcOrd.'
THE sANCTUM
While the governor sought the page he wanted
the reporter took some observations of his
sanctum. 1t was more neat, more comfortable
than the other room, but still very poor quarters
for a man worth millions The middle portion
OF the floor was covered with faded and much
worn carpet, thread-bare in some places The
governors desk was plain, as were all its sur
roundings. Several portable stands of law books
stood near his desk. and an Old-fashioned book
case. we'll filled with legal volumes, occupied
one corner. good fire burned in the CRATE,
and the general, seated in the only comfortable
Chair visible. was drawn up in front of it. Not
a picture of any description hung upon the
walls. They were as bare as the day the build
Ing was completed.
BILL.
"Ah, here it u.s." said Gen. Butler 81 read
from the Congressional Record, volume 3, part g.
second session 43d Congress, February Sd, 1875
(reading): THE House resumed consideration
Of the civil rights bill"
He then read the proceedings of that dav.
showing that he (Butler), by instruction of the
Judiciary committee, yielded for motion to sub
sttute the provisions of the Senate civil rights
Dill for the bill then pending in the House. 1t
being decided that the provisions of the Senate
bill could be substituted. Gen. Butler addressed
the House, saying he did not rise to discuss the
principles OF the bill. He continued:
"Of the justice Of the principles of the bill
can have no doubt. l cannot understand how
there can be class Of American citizens en-
titled to all the privileges and immunities of
American citizens who can be or ought to be
deprived OF any privilege or immunity or right
that appertans to any American citizens" He
secuted the idea that social equality was in
tended or thought of, and said ''social equality
Is not effected or affected by law" In his re-
marks to the House Gen. Butler contended that
there was no social association in meeting
people at inns In the cars and in theaters. He
said the question of social equality was dragged
in to prejudice the bill. and added: 'This whole
argument to prejudice desire once for all to
repudiate. | put this question upon a strict
basis of right This question will clear Itself
make itself entirely right if 1t can be let alone
and taken out of the dominion of politics."
HOW THE BILL WAS PASSED.
''YOu see," said the general, closing the Re-
cord, II carefully avoided any expression of
opinion as to the constitutionality of the bill.
Now then, to explain all this you will under
stand that the Senate bill was on the Speakers
table, and, as the session was drawing to close,
We would not have been able to reach it in the
regular course of business. BY substituting the
Senate bill-the provisions Of it-that was
passed, 1t went back to the Senate, passed that
body, and so became law. Well then" con-
tinued the general, reverting again to the Re
cord where he had left off reading to make this
explanation, 1.-THE debate went on and we got
into general scrimmage. Some man called me
murderer" and at this the general laughed in
a peculiar chuckle that shook him all over, as if
he relished the wordy combat even ut this dis
tant day. eyes. he said murdered a man in
New Orleans. replied that hung one man
and glOred In 1t, and that made mistake
in not hanging more, " and this seemed to please
him more than the other, for he tucked down
his head and shook all over for the space of
half q minute.
BUTLER AND TILDEN.
Having cleared himself Of the imputation of
drafting an unconstitutional measure, the gov
ernOr intimated that he was done with the re-
porter. But the latter was not satisfied to quit