The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-02

an opinion as u lawyer In further explanation ne
President without the knowledge OF his father
or any body else. The President told his
iaaner -. over and over again that he would
make the order and Chauncey +. Black went to the
President without his knowledge. The President
acted az ne mad always acted. Mr.. Black suggested
tat ne could get the names OF Members OF Congress
IN order to authorize the President to do this
thing; and when said Mr.. Logan to Mr.. Brooks, he
got the names, the President put you forward as a
without knowing It was to be used in this way and
as pretence that the Managers had sought 10 niu.
ence him; and there is The trick OF your President,
or yOu are the catspaw of the President.
Mr. Ross, ldem) OF ILL.,. In the course OF his inter-
nptions, said something about his colleague prose
cutting the President to which Mr.. Logan REPLIED
such remark could only emanate from base
heart; but he withdrew the offensive words on the
SpeaSers informing MIN that such language was I'M
Mr. LOGAN concluded by saving that the investga-
u1n was sought Tor base party purposes.
the paper in question. He briefly glanced at the his
tory OF the Island of Alta vea and stated that had
been discovered by two Americans who the posses
sion OF 1t having been given TO New York company,
came to our government asking its protection. He
nad said ON consultation that ship should he sent
thither to prevent the guanO from being carried
OF till the question was settled in court. This was
what he tod the Attorney General in whose Office
his friend Colonel Shafer, the friend Of Mr. Lincoln,
asked him for his opinion, he gave it, in order that
might dispose OF his interest. II it was under
stood, the Colonel said. that the government
%Tnd interfere Will you give me your
sit down and write 1t. He wrote 1t on little bit OF
paper, there it is. said that won't do quite. then
took the piece Of paper and scratched out some OF
the words. directed it to be copied and signed it,
with no expectation that the President would
en BE knew w he o would be
be still until he was impeached. Laughter. Until
saw the letter in the NEW YORK HERALD nobody
legal opinion, and 1t Is pretty good opinion my
opinion still. Mr. Butler SAID in the course OF
n ms remarks that he had very frequently
law suits, when he had personal differences with
one Of the parties Perhaps he could give an
interesting to the gentleman from New York. Some
time ago there was case when one Clarke sued q
fellow by the name Of Brooks for part owner
ship in the New York Express, and there
the other partner about division of the spOls
They brought HIM the case and showed him that the
two Brooks had robbed this Clarke. He said he did
not love the firm; he would have nothing TO do with
it. 1t was nasty affair, and not fertile guano
He believed it was settled right and the Judgment
followed the verdict. That was a in which he
did not give an opinion; If he had, he should
have abused somebody or been abused (4aughter.)
Mr. Butler SAID that Judge Black did not know Of
the existence OF the paper referred to until the
President showed it, The President said he should
be glad to issue the order for the protection OF the
discoveries Of Alta Vela, but Mr.. Seward would not
let him. Now" said the President, .if you get
some members Of Con sress to stffen us up,
shah be ready 70 90 it." Mr. Black said he asked sdSa
crime The country was not called on TO pay dol
lar. He was no defender of Judge Black but he
w prefer aaS,ng he Issue win Judge Black
q pseudo republican who had been employed for
that purpose. He repeated that he would rather have
Judge Black than any man who had stolen the livery
OF heaven to serve the devil in.
Mr., ELDRlDGE addressed the House to show that
the circumstances under which the names to that
paper were signed cast suspicion the proceed
ings.
Mr.. WOODWARD, tdem.) of Pa abiding to re.
Gai nc In ctt,r,i hat
Judge Black was In a conspiracy with somebody,
Judge Black was a man of the highest integrity;
conspiracy with anybody was impossible with
Judge Black and especially with the gentleman from
Massachusetts, The idea was impossible.
M Mr. a.; aLpRIpGE resnming said he did not enter
singular coincidence that Judge Black withdrew as
he did at the time from being counsel for the Presi-
dent. He then replied to Mr.. Logan, arguing that
the facts attending the signing Of the letter were
enough to excite suspicion in the minds OF honest
men.
Mr. LOGAN asked the gentleman to give way but
Mr. ELDRIDGE refused to yield The floor, saying the
member can't be gentleman and treat his political
opponent with pOliteness and civility.
Mr.. LOGAN-YOu can't expect anything else from a
blackguard and don't take that back.
Mr.. GARFIELD, (rcp.) of Ohio mr. EldridQe Yielding
the noor gave circumstantiai account how the sig
natures were procured In the House, Mr. Stevens say
W seward aG h IKE scounarel IN the Alta
Judge Block, dated New York, April rs, explaining
his connection with the case and how he came to de-
his retirement was not Prompted by anybody
He felt himself forced morally to retire The story
that he gave the President his choice between his
services and the adjustment OF the Alta Vea case
is all false. He only asked the President to do an
act of Justice. When he found out Stewards policy
then his legal duty was ut an end, &c.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE concluded his remarks.
Mr.. BROOKS said he never entered into discussions
with such men rs Butler and Logan
Mr.. BUTLER-When l was In the service OF the
country did You not accuse me OF being gold robber?
Mr. B9SS repedt that VAS @ esab
had pursued him with fire and fury. The honorable
gentleman would never forgive him, because he
was the means of extorting from him through the
Treasury Department the 500, 900 In gold which had
been taken from certain citizens in New Orleans.
But the amount was returned in legal tender
notes. AS member of Congress- he had n
right to comment ON his acts In New Orleans. One
morning he sent an aide-decamp to him (Mr.
Brooks) with letter threatening him unless re-
traction was made, and because he called the atten
ton of the House to this circumstance, the gentle
and vituperative language which he could not de-
scribe. but which was litter for Biiusgate and New
gate than for Massachusetts.
The SPEAKER called the gentleman to order.
Mr. BROOKS asked Is "Billingsgate' out Of order +?
II IL one OF the gates or the city OF London.
The SPEAKER said the remark was not Parlia
Mr. BROOKS. in further reply said no matter what
his lawsuits were his case had been settled salts
actorily. He should not alhide TO the gentleman's
history In Massachusetts or elsewhere. His record
was before his own people and countrymen, and
Of thousands. The most religions, educated
Intelligent and wealthy citizens Of New York had
n , him again and again lie might enter into
The history of the gentleman from Massachusetts
aud speak of his exploits ut Big Bethel and Fort
Fisher, and of the .'beauty and bootyn Of New Or
of the booty.
The SPEAKER reminded the gentleman that this
had no connection with Alta Nela.
Mr. BROOKS, resumiDg. said he had no remedy |
against the gentleman for personal assaults. The
gentleman was not amcnahle to the laws OF debate y
Or courtesy, but II were called upon TO give
opinion In connection with him he would say that
certain honorable gentleman has returned 10 Massa-
;husetts win the hey of Richmond in his pockets.
He was attached by common brcklayer for insult
me his WIFE, and sOundly thrashed.
Mr.. WA'uBuRNf, Of ILL.,. moved that the resolution
be laid on the table and this was agreed TO- Yeas,
10: nays, 70. This question decided by n party
vote; the only republicans voting with the democrats
n the majority being Managers Butler and Wilson
mi Mr. MoOrchead.
The House al halfpast seven O'Clock adjourned.