The New York herald., 1869-02-12

well turned sentences and clever hits succeeded In
turning the tables completely. He turned all the
rdcule the other side and brought the laugh alto
gether against Bingham, Garfield and his lead
ing opponents. The galleries roared, the
members became convulsed the reporters
grinned appr0vingly. As TO the logic OF
the speech say nothing-that win speak for Itself
but Its effect quite extensively in favor OF Butler
among the audience, whatever the members in
general might think OF it. There was one alluson OF
Buffers that was not generally understood,
that was, when he remarked that he knew
Ben Wade was not respon sibe for what he did yes
terday as he was only the mouthpiece OF some one
else, whom parliamentary usage forbade him to
name. The ausion Is supposed to be to Colfax, who
sat next Wade during the stormy proceedings Of
Wednesday, and who prompted the venerable Ohio
Senator when prompting seemed necessary.
Another interesting feature OF the day was the tilt
between Schenck and Colfax. the latter had left
the chair, and when schencK seemed arraigning his
of1cial conduct Colfax took the door and
with much spirit and warmth defended his action.
Cofax was pale with excitement and exhibited
more emotion than he has ever been known to
show during his entire connection with the House
OF Representatives. AS to the probable result Of the
exciting debate, which has gone over till tomorrow
general opinion would seem to indicate an over
whelmng defeat OF the Butler movement 1t is un-
safe. however. to make positive announcement on
the subject as it Is impossible to foresee what may
happen and how many things may conspire to
change the present sentiment
MIR. Wade's Defense Of His Decision I'm the
Joint Convention.
The occurrence yesterday in the House, in refer
ence to counting the vote Of Georgia, has been the
talk the whole town to-day In hotels on the street
and in and around the Capitol. ThefA is wide
sumed by Ben Butler, but there Is no question
among majority Of republicans that the proceed
ings throughout were disgraceful to the occasion.
Various motives have been attributed to Buffers
action the most freely circulated Of which is the old
grudge against Grant and desire to embarrass the
formal ceremonies Of his election. Another motive
is said to be the animus that Butler feels towards
the Senate for falling to convict Andrew Johnson.
Butler, himself however, discaims having been ac-
tuated by any other motive whatever In his opposi-
tion to the counting of the vote OF Georgia than
desire to assert the independence Of the House
on q question where its voice should have been
heard without regard to any understanding at which
the Senate might have previously arrived. He re-
pudates the right Of either House or Senate to de-
termine before hand what votes shall or shall not
be counted for President and Vice President Of the
United States In this position he contends he is
supported by the theory Of the constitution and by
the convictions Of every member OF the House who
is unprejudiced and reasoning. Ben Wade laughs
heartily over the entire proceedings, and says the
whole fuss made by Butler the siliest thing he
ever witnessed. 81 had,n says Mr.. Wade. 'just one
duty to perform, OF purely executive characterize
see the vote counted and announce the result. Now
Butler might have understood that as well as
/ did and not 60 on badgering me when he
knew there was no use. They might have
kept on talking It'll morning before ! should
have done anything but what l did. Why, child
could have that had no option in the matter.
There was the concurrent resolution OF the two
Houses, giving full instructions what to do with
the vote OF Georgia, and obeyed these Instructions
That Is the sum and substance Of the whole rows but
these fellows talk If was playing the tyrant and
oppressor in not allowing them to break their own
rule. That's all CANNON" when asked II he did
not feel little nervous yesterday while the excite
ment was at its height without any apparent pros
pect OF peaceful solution Of the difficulty, MIR.
ade replied, 'sNot q Bit" He was just as cool as
II presiding the Senate In its quietest moments
He had seen bigger rows than that OF
yesterday In his time, many Of them In
that Capitol. and he had had to deal with
fercer fellows than Butler before now. II Butler,
s'or any other man." expected to get up clamor
with the hope OF driving him from the performance
OF duty when he knew he was IN the right they
would lind that they had walked up the wrong pas
senger. The scene, he said. reminded him OF the
old anti-savery agitations In Congress. when all
members were on their feet at once and each trying
to see who could shout the loudest to drown the
voice Of some poor abolitionist. With regard to
Buffers resolution OF censure, Wade does not seem
to care whether 1t passes or not. He says 1t won't
affect him one way or the other. He would have
done as he did II Buffers resolution had been passed
before the Joint Convention met He thought he was
right and be has ar idea that he understands his
duty about as well as Butler Wade accounts for
tie conduct OF the other members OF the House who
followed Butlers lead the theory that they did not
fully understand the terms OF the concurrent rcsolu
tion because 1t was passed when many OF TEEN were
absent, and II might be that some OF
them had not read 1t. Had he faltered or yielded
TO the camor at the critical moment he does not
know what might have been the consequences. One
Of them would undoubtedly have been that the result
would not have been announced at ALL and Grant
and Colfax would not have been declared President
and Vice President according to the form prescribed
by law. Under all the circumstances and In view OF
what might follow, he thought he would have the
result OF the vote announced. That was the main
thing to be done, and then when Grant and Cofax
were legally declared elected he didn't care how
many resolutions OF censure they passed nor what
they said about him.
Excitement nj the White House.
The excitement created last night and this morn
ing by flying rumors that an attempt had been made
TO assassinate President Johnson has since been
tirely allayed by the full development OF the crcum-
stances which gave rise TO the reports. Last night
woman named Anne O'Neill. who keeps store at
at the corner OF Twenty.fourth and streets. pre-
sented herself at the White House. and made
such statement TO the doorkeeper that he was in
duced TO allow her to enter, although visitors are
not admitted after four O'Clock. The woman pro-
ceeded up stairs TO the door OF the Presidents room
and demanded admission, saying that she had busi-
ness OF the utmost importance with the President.
The usher refused TO allow her 10 enter, whereupon
she became quite violent in her talk, and spoke In
cohercntly about war having been declared and she
had her duty to perform. she finally returned down
stairs where conducted herself In so bosterous