New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-19
MAJ BUTTZ HAS A RECORD.
IT Is NOT ONE TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE.
THE, least LIKELY TOOL. THAT ANY ONE WOULD
SELECT TO CONDUCT BRIBERY
NEGOTIATIONS.
tsy TELEGRAPH TO THE TAIBUSK.]

NEGOTIATIONS.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TaIBuSE1
Washington May 1S-The more closely the
record OF Major But;z OF Buttzville, IL examined
the more infelicitous and neXplicable appears
the choice OF the Democratic managers in the
Senate Of the agent on whom they hoped 10 sad
die the sorey needed charge or attempting III
the interest of Protection, to bride Democratic
Senators to vote against the German Tarih OH.
but under the stress Of a most urgent demand
for some counter sensation to meet the accumr-
lating evidence that the sugar schedule or the
German bill was practically dictated by the
Sugar Trust as compensation for the Trusts
contributions to the Democratic campaign fund
In 1892 II is not surprising that the antecedents
OF the lobbyist on whom was 10 fall the role OF
open-handed corruptonist were but slightly looked
into and his fitness for the part assigned 10 him
should have been taken entirely on faith.
Some revelations published to-day In 1.-THE
Evening News Of this city show that besides
being a wholly irresponsible hanger-on about the
Hobbies OF the Capitol, Major Buttz long ago
made n record In Washington well calculated TO
deprive him Of any pretended shred OF respecta-
bility or moral standing. THE News" says:
"On Sunday, March II. 1872. Detectives Nc
Dewitt and McElfreah arrested Charles w. BUTTE.
ton. S. c.. on the charge OF systematically at
tempting to assault school girls whose ages
ranged from ten to fourteen years. The inforna-
ton was furnished by the First School District
sub-board Of trustees. After being arrested
Buttz was taken 10 Police Headquarters. where
Judge Smell fixed his bail at $500 which he was
unable 10 furnish. and was compelled to occupy
a cell during Sunday and Sunday night. lie en-
gagged az his attorneys L. II. Chandler, OF Viz
ginia. A. G. Riddle and Mr. Jarrett
"In an interview at the time. ButtZ alleged
that a certain Mary Carpenter had preferred the
charges against him because Of adverse testi-
mony ne gave when she was seeking 10 obtain
divorce from her husband. The interviewer de-
scribed BUTTE as about thir1y-nve years old.
black hair and eyes. black sde-whiskers. mus
tache and goatee. lie came from Charleston.
S. c.. to testify in the Bowen-Delarge contested
election case. Prior TO that time he ran against
Ayers IN the lid Congressional District Of Nir-
ginia, and came very near election. Later he
was appointed Commemorative Attorney for
King and Queen County. Virginia. The school
trustees on their part. declared that Mrs. Car
penter had furnished them no information. but
that their attention first called to the matter
through the mother OF one OF the girls.
THE Police Headquarters blotter FOR March II.
1872. shows that Charles w. Butz was arrested
as a lawyer, his age thirty-two native OF the
United States. and married. Ills case in police
court on Monday was postponed until IN" next
day. ON Tuesday the courtroom WIS crowded
with spectators and Assistant Disirict-kttOmey
Harrington asked q postponcmcni until Thurs
day, as he said grave questions were Involved.
This was granted and the Court notified the
spectators that the hearing would be- privately
conducted. In the meantime the first charge
against BUTTE WAS dismissed AMI H. vas rtar-
rested by Detective Mcl;lfre~h on the charge of
AS In the previous arrest; \. Hart FL both In
stanccs being the complainant
ION Thur'1Hy March p. l'1c. Butt was tried
in Chambers before Judge Smell on thu specified
charge ~ assault and battery ou Dn. xii az
fourteen. The Dlslric;-Attorncy SAID that hc
had infoTmetlOn in several other CAGES. but pr.
ferred To- try them separately. Tho testimony
given 10y the girl and other Witness for The
prosecution was of the most shO King character.
and wholly unfit for publication Judg, Smell
said he could have no doubt that the defendant
guilty, and sentenced him e. pay fine ~
$500 or six months in jail. Eiii'z spent the
night in Jail. ana the next morning cDnred
man, named Barbados furnished bail fur $1,000.
aud BUTT Was rclensrd pcnI.rg an appeal - 4.
higher cOurt. Thu case on appel ,hiur ny be-
fore Judge Carter. iu the Criminal Court. on
April /. 1s'2. but Disir!ct-AtiOrnry barrett "o-
tanned n continuance. because ~ absent vii
ncsse-.. Nine days later the court adjourned
without day. and che matter was LEFT in ruH-
pence. subsequently T. va" found inpps-lbi"
to secure the attendance Of tho school Glris. AMI
their parents n witnesses. and the case di-l -
inac;on. Butt IS then said 10 have gone 10
South Carolina.
some five years prior 10 his notorious expo
r1cncc I'm this city. Butt in 1850 or 1851 became
involved IN trouble I'm Norfolk. Va. where. 81 IT,
sad. through his services az attorney he at
tempted 10 derive revenue from the collection Of
back bountlcs due the widows 81 soldiers who
had died in service during the civil War T.
what extent his operations were FIRE guar f. not
known. A dlsbursng officer for the Government.
who charged with the payment Of warrants.
considered his methods objectionable. ~ TIA"
course Of a personal unpleasantness The diabur'-
ing agent pitched Butz down flight ~ stair.
Major 3uttz scry'ed ~ "A member for South Caro-
lima during the last session Of tine \LTid con-
gress. Two years later he removed to the Ter
rtory of Dakota and attempted To- enter politics.
He was active ia all political matters but utterly
failed 10 duplicate his performance IA South
Carolina, and did not nearly approximate the
success he attained I'm Virginia.
James a. McDevltt one 81 the best known de-
tectves I'm this city. VINO has devoted thrty-thrce
years to the apprehension Of criminals. and who
served the first warrant on Buttz. says that the
arrest was made in Twelfth-st. near j.. In IA
little one-story brick building. now occupied as
a cigar store. a Sign Oh tn, exterior read =.
W Buttz Attorney at Law Mr.. McDevitt
saws that the arrest and subsequent scandal
created an unprecedented sensation. Great ex-
element prevailed throughout the city and
threats OF violence were freely made. II IS said
that when Butte presented his credentials as "A
member OF Congress from South Carolina the
question Of his eligibility was at once raised
and efforts made 10 prevent his admittancc be-