The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-23
Bitter Debate In the House Between
FarnSwOrth and Butler.
Bad Record for the Essex
Statesman.
Testimony Before the Hatch Babcock Investi.
eating Committee.
A New Department of Govern.
ment Proposed.
The Senate Perfecting Another
Railroad Land Grab.

For some ume past the personal relations between
General Butler and General Farnsworth have not
been Of the most agreeable character They are both
members OF the Committee on Reconstruction, and
when Butler succeeded last week, m getting the
Bingham amendment struck out OF the Georgia BILL
during the absence OF portion OF the com mittee,
Farnsworth denounced him to his face as "a damned
scoundre,n at the same time shaking his fist uncom-
fortably close to Butler's nose Butler it IL sahl
contented himself by calling Farnsworth super
animated billy goat" or something to that effect.
He stated, at the same time, that he 'hadn Farms
worth, and at the proper time would show him up in
the House. OF course this reached Farnsworths
cars, and he was Oh the lookout to make
flank movement on Butler the first
opportunity that might offer. The opportunity was
given to-day during the discussion OF the Presidents
veto OF the bill for the relief OF Roin White. which,
It VIII be remembered, was for an extention OF
patent for manufacturing pistols. 1t appears that
Butler was originally against this patent being
extended, but Afterwards was retained for
5000 by Roin White to defend the patent in court.
Butler was among those who spoke to-day In favor
Of passing the BILL the objections OF the President 10
the contrary notwithstanding. When he started TO
speak Farnsworth made the point OF order on him
that he was Interested IN the bill, had been on both
sides OF IT, and it was not, therefore, right that nc
should take part for or against 1t in the House.
FarnswOrsh charged that Butler had at first opposed
the extension OF the patent and then In consideration
OF having received fee OF $4,000 from Ron White.
mad come TO the other SHE. At this statement
Butler became liyld with rage. Had he been struck
with thunderDolt he could not have exhibited
greater generalization. Farnsworth was as cool as
II nothing had happened out OF the ordinary routine.
He insisted that the Speaker should rule on his
point of order. The speaker caused the twenty
voting on questions IN which they are interested.
adding that when members came to speak upon
questions in which they were personally interested
they must use their own Judgment. Butler went on
with his remarks; but, instead Of speaking upon
tho merits Of the Dill, he turned his guns
upon Farnsworth, and denounced that
gentleman as coward and an assas-
Elm. with other choice terms. Farnswcr,h
had at hand the evidence, officially attested by the
Commissioner or Patents Of the fact that Butler had
received 81, 900 dollars from Ron White as counsel
In behalf OF the patent and he produced 1t. Butler
endeayored TO explain. He did not deny that he had
received 1t for making out brief of q few pages.
The skrmsh was short, sharp and decisive, ana the
whole affair seemed 10 be thoroughly enjoyed by the
House.
Tho Casc OF w. Scott Smith.
The select committee on the resolution requiring
W. Scott Smith, Of the New York E0ening Post, TO
show cause If he can, why he should not be expelled
from the reporters gallery for certain publications
In that paper to-day made q report. After stating
all that appeared before them they say that in their
Judgment Representatives Fitch ana Mccormick
stand completely exonerated from all charge or sus
pcion or even completely in, any OF the schemes for
sustaining tie Cuban cause by the use OF improper
influence. In considering the resolution Of expul-
sion OF Smith the question OF legal rights and the
liabilities Of conductors OF the press properly
underrevew The law upon this subject has kept pace
with the advance OF free principles IN other respects
free press Is the life OF q free government. The
representatives Of the people but their servants
and agents. and It is Of the highest importance that
the people have means OF information to the con-
duct Of their representatives upon all matters Of
public concern. The pubic press Is the only means
OF making such Information generally known to the
people. 1t should, therefore, be allowed the most
unlimited freedom consistent with individual rights
and individual regulations. In former times the
publication Of proceedings of judicial tribunals and
parliamentary bodies were not privileged II they re-
nected injuriously upon private hacacter but the
law is now settled that such reports aee entirely
privileged, provided they are fairy and honestly
reported. SO all conduct Of public men
upon public matters fair subjects OF
discussion and comment In the public press
subject only to the condition that they are made
honestly and upon reasonable grounds Of belief
upon their truth The committee are satisfied that
Smith had no wanton or malicious purpose TO de-
fame or mai,gn either Mr. Fitch or Mr.. Mccormick.
His ault 10 not exercising caution in relation 10
the authority upon Which he made his statements,
and his failure THIS respec, is to be attributed to
that somewhat excessive anxiety anu rivalry among
correspondents to provide for their respective
poyers earlier and more startling news than any
other. The most that can be made OF Taylors ai!l.
davit Is that propositions or offers had been made to
members, and not that any had been accepted The
assumption was clearly unJustifable. While the
Committee consider that the correspondent OF the
Ereratyag Post has been without fault, they are
also OF opinion that his fault is not OF such Migrant
character as 10 justify his expulsion from the gallery,
even TO warrant any formal resolution Of censure.
They, therefore, recommend the resolution referred
TO them be laid on the table.
The Legislative Appropriation Bill.
Mr.. Saville, Chief Clerk OF the Treasury Depart
ment was again before the committees to-day Oh the
subject Of the legislative executive aud judicial ap.
preparations The estimates Of the Secretary OF the
Treasury were made upon the absolute requirements
OF tho government The House, by policy OF sense
ess &c onomy, has made material Reduction In
amounts, it would seem without any reference to
she exigencies OF the service Should the bill pass
In this form some branch OF the public business win
nave to suner.
Department or Infernal Revenue.
The bill reported by Representative SchencE
changes the Bureau of Internal Revenue into de-
partment the Commissioner to be the head at $4,000
per annum. There Is also TO be an Assistant Com
missioner salary $4,000, five heads OF divisions, sal
aries s3,OoO ninety-nve male and fifty female clerks;
twenty-five supervisors. salaries $3,0oo-to be APP
polnted-and assistant pcrvisors, not exceeding
twenty-five and to receive not more than eight dol
lars per day. The bill also provides for revenue
gaugers, assessors and collectors. The number OF
assistant assessors employed at the time OF the pass
age OF this act shall be permanently reduced by the
discharge OF all officers of that class who are assigned
specially to the assessment OF any taxes which shall
nave been abolished by law; and the Commissioner
Is further required to reduce the number OF assistant