Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-22
Senator Johnson and Mr.. Butler.

The published report of the little episode in The
Senate, on Monday, between Senator johnson, Of
Maryland, and Mr.. Butler, was so incomplete and
one-sided, that in justice to the Managers on the
part of the House we print an accurate report Of
what really did take place.
Mr.. Butler, obecting to a question put to Gen
Sherman By the counsel for the President, after he
had answered that proposed by Mr.. Johnson said
That question was objected TO- and, after argu-
ment, the Senate solemnly decided that it should
not be put. That was exactly the same question as
this. Then other proceedings We're had, and, after
considerable delay, the counsel for the President
got up and asked permission TO recall this witness
this morning. The Senate gave that permission
This morning they recalled the witness and put TO
him such questions as they pleased Then the wit
ness was sent away and then one of the judges de-
sired 10 put question to satisfy his own mind. OF
course he was not acting counsel for the PTesi-
dent; that cannot be supposed
Senator johnson (rising does the hon.
orable Manager mean
Mr.. Butler-I mean precisely what say, that il
cannot be supposed that the Senator was acting for
the President.
Senator Johnson-Mr Chief Justice. if the hon
orable Manager means TO impute that in anything
have done In this trial have been acting as coun-
sell or in the spirit Of counsel he does not know the
man OF whom ne speaks l am here to discharge
duty, and that duty purpose to discharge. know
the law rs we'll az he does
Mr.. ButleT-Again l repeat, so that my language
may not be misunderstood, that it cannot be sup
posed that he was acting counsel for the Presi-
dent Having put his question TO satisfy his mind
upon something which he wanted to know, how can
it be that that opens the case so az to allow the Pre-
sldents counsel TO 60 TO q new examination p
How do we know that he is not acting as counsel
for the President and that there is under
standing between them, which [ dc not charge ?
HOW can the PTesidnntiE fOupaal ugha tir
hes the Senators mind He recalls a witness for
the purpose OF satisfying his own mind l agree
that 1t Is common to recall witnesses for something
overlooked or forgotten but / never have known
tnat W1ere member of the Court wants to satisfy
himself, by putting some question that that opens
up the case on the other side TO put other questions
Inc Oourt Is allowed to put questions because
Judge may want to satisfy his mind on particular
point, but having satisfied himself on that partcu-
lar point there is an end of the matter and it does
not open the case. l trust that / have answered
the honorable Senator from Maryland that make
no imputation on him, but am putting it right the
other way.
Senator Johnson am satisfied
Mr.. Chief Justice-I rise TO say that did not
know that the counsel proposed to ask any question
OF the witness, and agree with the honorable Man
ager that they have no right to do any such thing
Sensation in the Court
Mr.. Bingham desire, on behalf of the Man
ayers, to say, that there shall be no possible misun
derstanding; to disclaim, once for all that there
was no intent by my associate who has Just taken
MS seat, or any intent by the Managers at any
Time or in any way, to question the right and en-
ure proprlety OF Senators calling on any witness
and putting any question which they may see fit
We impute no improper motive to any Senator in
doing So but recognize his perfect right to do So
and the entire propriety of it.
1t will be seen from this that Mr. johnson made
an unnecessary exhibition of senstiveness and that
.he objection of the Managers sustained by the
Chief Justice.