Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-01-21
BUTLER INvIrED.

FROM TIC Iepofl III the AtSpdtcIt we cOpJ dss
follows =
CUTLER INVITED.
Mr.. Morrissey offered the following:
Resoived, That committee OF three be
appointed to wait on Gen. 3. Z. Butler, and
that he be requested to address this Con-
vention.
Mr.. snead moved to lay it on the table
Lost.
Mr.. Morrissey called for the previous ques-
ton which call was sustained.
The vote was taken with ayes 40 /; noes 80.
The following committee was appointed
Morrissey, Winston, Williams, Norton and
Scott. Mr.. Scott emphatioally declined to
serve. So did Mr.. Williams
Mr.. Z. Gibson offered the following:
ResoLged, That Gen. Henry a. Wise be
invited to answer Gen. Butler, and that for
that purpose the President appoint COM
mittee OF three to wait on Gen. Wise.
Mr.. Clements proposed to discuss the reso-
luton.
Several Radical members then arose to ask
that under the rules the resolution lay over.
Mr. E. Gibson claimed that such would be
dishonorable and discreditable to the other
side of the House, and asked that the reso-
luton be considered.
After some confusion, Mr.. Thomas asked
the gentleman to withdraw his resolution, in
order that he might move reconsideration.
He had high respect for Gen. Butler, and
wished to hear him speak, but would rather
hear him out Of the Convention.
Mr. Gibson withdrew temporarily his reso
luton.
Mr.. Thomas moved a reconsideration.
Considerable discussion ensued.
Bayne (negro) spoke for some moments
against the motion to reconsider, adding that
he hoped it would be voted down, and den
let de gentleman's Gineral Wise resolushun
come up, and vote dat down too. He wanted
gentlemen on de other side o der house to
see dat dey couldn't be putin no disrespect-
full nor contemshus resolushuns in.
Mr.. Gibson argued for some moments in
favor of reconsideration.
ENTER DUTLER-A SCENE.
Pending Mr.. Gibson's remarks, f1utter
was noticeable about the door, and the Ser
geant-at~Arms made motion to the Chair
mrn, whereupon he turned nervously to Mr..
Gibson md asked him to suspend his remarks.
Mr.. Gibson: I claim, Mr.. President, to
have the floor, and neither Gen. Butler nor
any one else has right to stop me from
speaking before have finished. There is a
subject before the house which 1 claim ahoud
be disposed Of before anybody be allowed to
speak on any other subject. [Sensation and
confusion.
The Chair decided uncasiy that the gem
tleman should be required to sit down, as an
act of courtesy to the visitor.
Mr.. French appealed from the decision of
the Chair.
a half dozen other members did the same.
The Chair decided the appeal out of order.
Mr.. French left the hall.
Mr.. Gibson: Mr.. President, do you rule
me out of order?
No, sir The Chair rules that through
courtesy you must take your seat y
Mr. Gibson: Well, then, III leave this
house you can't make me stay here to listen
to that man.
A half dozen members arose to points of
order The Chair, in the meantime was very
i'll at ease, casting his eyes first to the right
and then to the left telling gentlemen to take
their seats ,and displaying Il reasonable amount
of Ignorance under the circumstances, as to
how to proceed. There was in the hall con-
fusion COMPOUNDED. The members shuficd
about in their seats-those who were not on
the floor-and looked on the one side indig-
nant. on the other amused. The negroes in
the galleries looked on in silent amazement-
only few of them vcnturing upon cries of
- Bring him in ~ Don't be backed out of
it n' Finally, the Chair made several bold
strokes on the table with its hammer, with
the remark '' Order, gentlemenw motioned
to the Sergcant.at- Arms to bring the "gen-
tleman " IN. The Sergeant-at-A Arms, stand
ing in the middle Of the aisle, heels together,
toes turned out at angles of forty-fve de-
erees, body erect, little thrown forward, and
with eyes to the front, made military salute,
and announced the distinguished visitor,
Major General Butler"
In the meantime confusion still reigncd in
the Hall, so that even the stentorian and clear
voice of the Sergeant could scarcely be heard.
The Chair did not get through with the sem
tence, * Gentlemen, you will please rise -
when in waddled the = distinguished visitor
amid three or four motions to adjourn coming
from either side of the House.
As Butler was being seated Mr.. Gibson
said " Mr.. Chairman, [ again claim that [
have right to speak upon the motion to re-
consider the invitation given to Gen. Butler.
White, Clements, Snead, J. C. Gibson,
Mayse. and others, simultaneously, Mr..
President, move to adjourn"
Chorus of negro members mostly, Bayne
leading" No, don't ,journ vote it down"
Chair-Order, gentlemen. Motions are
out of order.
White, Sncad and Clements in chorus =
e appeal from the decision of the Chair -
Chair-The appeal is not in order.
Clemcnts-Then 1 appeal to Gen. Butler.
Chair-Ordcr, gentlemen. General But
Ter, /"
j. C. Gibson, White, and others-Mr.
President, an appeal has been taken to the
decision of the Chair. 1 can do that, [
reckon.
Calls of " Question p Question ~
Chair-All in favor of adjournment, say
aye. "Aye" with vim.
All opposed, no. Ono" with bigger
vim.
The Chair decides that Che House will not