Mr.Dawes, learning Butler's proposed defection, was beforehand with him by rising in the caucus and himself nominating Mr.Blaine.

This secured Blaine's unanimous nomination.

Butler, however, still pressed eagerly his own claim for the Chairmanship of the Appropriations.
Blaine was altogether too shrewd to yield to that.

The committees were not appointed until the following December.

Butler suspected somehow that there was doubt about his getting the coveted prize.