The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-03-25
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Spicy Passage between Gen. Butler
and Hon John A. Bingham, on the
Floor OF the House, last Thursday.
During the debate over the bill to ap-
propriate one million of dollars to the
Southern poor, few spicy passages
occurred between Gen. Butler and our
neighbor, Bingham. 1t seems that in
the course of the debate Mr.. Butler
spoke of Mr.. Bingham as having gone
over to the other side of the House, not
only inbody, but in spirit; and remind
ed him of what " that great and good
man." President johnson, had done
while Provisional Governor of Tennes-
see, in taxing wealthy rebels to sup
port poor families.
Mr.. Bingham, in noticing his allu-
sion, said it does not become a gentle
man who had recorded his vote fifty
times Mr.. Eldridge suggested fifty-
seven nmesl for the arch-traitor of the
rebellion for the Presidency of the
United States, TO undertake TO cast an
impntation either on my integrity or
on my honor. 1 repel with scorn and
contempt any utterance of that kind by
any man, whether he be the hero of
Fort Fisher taken, or the hero of Fort
FisheEnot taken. Roars OF laughter
on both sides of the House, tine Demo-
cratic side of the House manifesting
peculiar enjoyment of the scene1.
MIR. Bingham-I also stand here, Sir,
in the name of the American people, to
repel with scorn the attempt to levy
charities by contiscation in violation of
the Constitution of my country. That,
Sir, IS the proposition which the gentle
man (Butler) dares TO utterin an Amer
lean Congress in the sacred name of
charity. Applause and laughter.l
Mr.. Butler rose to reply, but the
Chairman announced that the time to
which the House had limited debate
had expired.
Mr.. Butler asked the privilege of the
House to reply TO the gentleman from
The Chairman said the gentleman
could not ask that privilege of the
House, when the House was in Commits
tee OF the Whole.
Mr.. Eldridge expressed the hope that
the gentleman from Massachusetts
get the opportunity he asked. 1t was a
matter which his (Eidridge,s) side of
the House would like to haye VentiIa-
ted.
The Chairman said that the Commit
tee would have to rise for that purpose,
as the Committee was acting under a
direct order of the House, closing de-
bate.
The Committee rose, having first
agreed to Mr.. Bingham's amendment,
offered when the House went first into
Committee to-day.
Mr.. Butler then asked unanimous
consent to speak for ten minutes.
Mr.. Eldridge expressed the hope that
House would not ''bottle up the gentle
man from Massachusetts. [Laughter.l
Unanimous consent having been
given, Mr.. Butler expressed his in
finite obligations to the House, for its
kindness, and said: / have never con-
cealed the fact which is now so often
sively put forward that voted for JEFF
ferson Davis in the Convention of my
party fifty times. 1 Thought him
the representative man of the South,
and hoped thereby to save the threat
ened disunion which appeared in the
distance. L was foiled, and disunion
came. The difference between me and
the honorable gentleman from Ohio is
this, that while Jefferson Davis was a
Senator of the United States and was
claiming to be fEieud of the Union, 1
supported him, while-the gentleman,
Mr.. Bingham, supports him while he is
a traitor. / have changed my support.
[Laughter.l 1 saw the error OF my
ways and repented. But did not ex-
pect blow to be aimed at me in that
direction from the side of the House
which supported him then, has sup
ported him ever since, and is still sup
porting him and his friends. Laughter
and applause.l (Mr. Bingham g seat is
on the Democratic side OF the House
Reporter.) did not mean to impugn
the honor or integrity ofthe gentleman
from Ohio, L only said that 1 thought
he was leading the other side of the
House.
Mr.. Bingham-If the gentleman had
his words hv GaUinn ha
thought so, should not have said one
word.
Mr.. Butler-I never speak anything
do not think. Laughter and ap-
plause.l 1 will try 10 repeat the words
/ used. said the gentleman had gone
in spirit, as he had gone in body, over
to the other side of the House.
1 thought so then, think so now; I
said so then, say so now, rlaughter,l
and l cannot take it back, Sir. TMani-
festation of encOuragement.l The gen.
tleman has had the good taste to attack
me for the reason that could not do
any more injury to the enemies of my
men of more ability could do more;
and no man is ready to give them high
er plaudit for their valor, their discre-
tiou and their conduct than myself.
Because 1 could not not do more, I felt
exceedingly chagI ined. If during the
war the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Biugham) did as inuch as I did in that
I should be glad to recognize
that much done; but the only victim of
the gentlemhn's prowess that know
f.llwaS an innocent woman hanged
UPON the scaffold. His only victim in
the war was one Mrs. Surratt. / can
sustain the memory of Fort Fisher, if
he and his associates can sustain him
in the blood of woman tried by a
IfIifarF- (ynU1n1IGGinr and cd
without sufficient evidence in my judg-
ment. -.l
Mr.. Bingham-Mr. Chairman, de-
sire to make a remark or two, and I
hope 1 will have the consent of the
House.
The chairman-How long does the
gentleman want?
Mr.. Bingham-Fiye minutes
Ihere WAS no objection
Mr. Blngham-Mr. Chairman, al
though have seen ten years of service
in the Congress of the United States.
the gentleman will look in vain for one
remark OF mine personal to any man
upon this floor. save when i replied to
gratuitous assaults upon me; and I
beg leave to add, scarcely n word of.
mine can be found in the proceedings
of this House which can be construed
into unkindneSs toward fellow-mem
Der. have observed the amenities of
debate in7the House, and amenities of
personal conduct out of the House in
such measure as trust entities me to
the respect and consideration of those
who Know me best. Sir, the gentle
man talks about matters of taste, in
which he IS doubles a master, md as
master of taste, constitutes himself my
judge and undertakes to decide upon
the integrity of my conduct as a sworn
Representative of the people. L re-
specially challenge the gentle
mans htnesS to be my accuser,