Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-03-27


from the coward.
Gen. Logan replied that he could not see
what bravery and soldierly conduct had to
do with the passage or defeat of the bill.
Remarks relative to bravery or cowardlce
did not come with good grace from one who
had never put his bravery to the test The
soldiers had passed the resolutions referred
! to because they did not believe Congress had
right to pass the bill, and the question OF
soldierly conduct was not considered by
them. If it was proposed to aid all the poor
of the country, he Q.ogan) would introduce
bill to relieve those in the Valley OF the
Ohio and Mississippi, who had suffered by
reason of the recent freshet. The same
principle would apply in one case as IN the
other.
Gen Butler also replied to the remarks OF
Mr. Woodbridge, who had declared day or
two since that he (Gen. Butler) was no
statesman. He was very sorry for the fact.
He probably would have been statesman IT
he had been fortunate enough to have secur-
ed an election To the 39th Congress.
Mr.. Woodbridge | said no such thing,
and made no such charges, and the gentle
man from Massachusetts knows it (Sen-
sation.)
Gen Butler Then the gentleman says
| am Il statesman and | am glad to hear it >
(Laughter)
Gen. Butler said if he had the approval of
the soldiers who had pcriled their lives tor
the Union. he did not fear the disapproval OF
gentlemen who had worn out the cushioned
seats of this House during the war.
Mr. Bingham moved that the Committee
rise for the purpose of terminating the de-
bate.
General Butler said that motion was an
other specimen of Mr.. Bingham's fairness on
this question.
Mr. Bingham said the gentleman had no
right 10 impugn his motives, or to impute un
fairness To him.
Gen. Butler said he withdrew all questions
Of fairness, and would call it untairness on
the part of the gentlemen.
Gen. Schenck argued that the wealthy
people of the South should be taxed to sup
port the poor and he sent to the Clerks
desk. and had read. an extract from an arti-
Gle written by Admiral Semmcs, wherein the
latter complained that the Young men OF the
South refused to labor when there was OPP
portunity. When he (Schenck) was in COM
mand of military department, the rebels IN
Maryland were in the habit of burning down
the property Of Union men. and this was
continued until assessments were made TO
pay for the property thus destroyed, when
the burning stopped. He thought it would
have good effect in this case TO tax the
wealthy in support of the poor.
Other amendments were offered. but they
were voted down under the lead fMr Bing-
ham W hen one Of them. contining the ex-
penditnre to destitute and helpless persons.
was being debated. Gen. Butler took the
floor and said that this question he was
in favor of The Presidents policy. He then
sent To the tlcrk 5 desk. and had read. the
proclamation Of Mr.. johnson when the gov
ernor Of Tennessee assessing a tax upon the
ba
port of the poor. He Gen. Butler) would
admonish the gentleman from Ohio not 10 20
against the policy of the President, especial
~ ~ he had gone over 10 the other side-not
only boldly. but also in the spirit. Mr..
johnson wanted To tax the rich secessionists /
to feed the poor. and he ((ien. Butler) wish
ed to Go only the same thing. He would .
further ask the other side of the House how
thcy could possibly vote for this measure. so .
long as the money was 10 he expended by the. .
to them. great bugbcar-the negro bureau.
Mr. Bingham replied that such remarks
came with bad grace from gentleman who
had voted fifty times in convention for the
arch traitor of the rebellion for President to
cast lmputatIons ON the motives of others.
For one he replied with scorn and contempt
IL any such insinuations az had been made.
whether they came from the heir of Fort
Fisher taken Of the heir of Fort Fisher
NOT taken
This pleased the Democrats. who applaud
Cd and amld some confusion Mr. Blaine, who
was Il" me CHAIR. declared that the hour Tor
terminating the debate had arrived
ten bntler-polntlng t. the clock, which
denoted eighteen minutes past three-s2Id
{ nat as ne understood the order Of the House
depate WIS u close at fifteen minutes past
three. The gentleman from Ohio had been
permitted to exceed this time. and he asked
the same privilege
The chair decided that the debate was
closed, and asked Gen. Butler, who remained
standing. if he rose to question of order
trcn Butler said that he did not. and was
proceeding t. speak when he was called to
order
some confusion cn>ucd. during which
motion was made and carried for the commit
tee To rise
Speaker ColtaX soon restored order. and
ten. FarnSworth asked unanimous consent
thar Gen. Butler might reply to Mr.. Bing-
nam
Mr. EIdrIdee hoped that consent would he
given. This was an interesting question up
IN winch light was wanted. and he hoped
That the gentleman from Massachusetts
would not he bottled up. The consent was
granted
ten. Butler said he had never attempted
to conceal the fact. that lac had fftv-seven
Times voted for jeff. Davis for the Presi-
icncy-
Mr.. Bmgham-l only said fifty times.
zen Butler paid no attention to the in
erJeetion, but continued. and said he had
supported jeff Davis because he believed
ann 20 he the representative man o, the South,