St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-25
GENERAL REN,s III isco.

The old saw runs, that those who dance
must pay the fiddler. II seems from com
mon rumor, and fairly authenticated fact
that the fidder's bills In the case of General
B. F. Buffers political dancing have proven
quite costly. The current understanding is
that Butter personally spent not less than
5000, 900. and possibly $3.50, 900, this year
for his political brass bands, bottom hole
boquets and palace cars. The fact that be
has just mortgaged his Washington houses
for $50, 900 has brought out some incidents
that make interesting reading.
Ia all of his various political campaigns
the General has pursued system of tactics
that cost much money to maintain. OF late
years he has been unsuccessful in all bis
ventures, saving the election for a year as
Governor of Massachusetts. When he was
beaten in 1888 for Governor by Robinson he
had to borrow $50, 600 to settle up the cam
paign bazoo, but of course this sum repre-
sentad only a moiety of the actual expendi-
ture he made. Fifteen years ago Butler was
reckoned as worth more than a $1,000, 600,
and was popularity supposed to be in condi-
ton to draw his check any day for
100000, so that putting this and that
together is basis for approximating the sum
of money he has fooled away. to say nothing
of the volume of ambition that has gone TO
waste.
The story goes that through Cassell ofPhil-
adelphia Butler borrowed 100000, and sew
cnty thousand of the amount last September.
To meet this liability he gave his note for
$40, 900, payable next February, and mort
gagged his Washington houses for 500, 000
( The common explanation Of the Generals
financial condition, says well posted Wash
ington man, is that he has spent great deal
more money in politics this year than he can
readily command. His property is so situa-
ted that it could only be sold at
a great sacrifice, and so the
project of mortgage was resorted
to The large expenditure this year is ex-
planned, that it was anticipated Blaine would
be elected, and the compact provided that in
such event he Was to be reimbursed, If not
in whole, in large part. 1t turned out, how.
ever, that Butler attracted but few votes, that
Blaine was not elected, that the Republican
committee spent more money than it could
pay, aud Ben. was left to pull himself out OF
the hole he was in by his boot straps. some
90 so far as to say, protesting to speak with
knowledge, that if Blaine had been elected
Butler would have gone into his cabinet, with
opportunities to help himself TO Uncle
Sans cash to the extent Of his needs
Blaine's ill-luek spoiled the scheme, and left
Butler mortified and confused with the i'm
potency of bis candidacy and deeply loaded
with debt The intrigue was well laid, but
the people did not raiify the Politician
game, and Ben. was left to pay up as best he
could.
The stress Of political weather which over
took these conspiriDg worthless, and the
financial cramp that their settling day with
the fiddler, evolved, has opened the eyes Of {
good many people, and a feeling of univer-
sal thankfulness prevails that the govern
ment did not fall into such ravaging hands