Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-06-23
Scene in the House Of Reps

Gen. Batter and Gen. Farnsworth met IN
battle array in the House yesterday. The basis
in itself was insignificant relng the question oil
passing private patent pistol bill tor the re-
lief of one Rollin White over the President 5
veto. While Butler was advocating the, pas
sage of the bill Farnsworth interectcd charge
into the speech that produced sensation. by
declaring that Butler. had been employed as
counsel Tor the opponents vi White, but had
turned around to represent the latter before
Congress for fec of two thousand dollars. lie
exhibited certified copy Of documents to show
that Gen. Butler had received this sum: 10
this Farnsworth added that Butter had hled a
small briet IN the Supreme Court, where q suit
over the case was pending, as nero pretcnce
to cover the receipt Of so large fee Tor Worh
charge him." said Farnsworth, with vehement
voice and gesture, with being on both sides OF
this case; on one side without fec and then
on the other side OF the case with iee IT, by sy
THE time the Wh9!ss tt tSS read lhut no
member Should vote On subject in which he
was interested. An attempt to shut off debate
| and thus eud the scene failed. and Mr.; Rntler
got the floor in reply Mr. Farnswortil sought
an interruption. Mr.. Butler exctcdly said !;
than broips,'' alIuding to the formers long
beard Mr. Farnsworth shouted out, The
member may curse my beard, but ne shall not
come into the House and steal undcr the shadoaO
ofI." This was received with shouts OF ''or-
Ger" from the republicans, aud cries OF good"
good, and mods Of approval from the demo
Gratis. But Butler went on with his reply,
charging tarnsworth with having made an
infamous and mallciously false statement, and
adding that he acted in the first instance against
the " hitc patent for some Of his constituents,
but that he was not called into tho case pro-
fessionally until White came to him and said
his counsel was iii and asked Mr. Butler to take
his place in the Supreme Court in the pending
case. He did this by preparing the 5rict, which,
he said, took him a month, and tor which he
received the sum named, but that lie never
argued the case in court, because the counsel
first employed was then able to 90 oil himself.
After dlsclaiming any interest in it in violation
Of the law and his position as member, as Mr..
Farnsworlh had charged, he concluded by say
ing that lie %ho had deal5 this blow, without
notice, aud when he (Mr. Butier) was unpre-
pared, was coward and an assassin Down
came the Speaset'; gavei. But the Speaker
said nothing The whole house looked first at
the Speaker, then at FarnsTorth, who was in
his seat, and then at Batter
The cavcl's fall was succeeded by no call to
order us ii & message from the Senate -
inquired Butter. Tic Speaker was now as
silent as his gagcl 1t was evident that this
was not the usual signal announcing Il mes
sage from the Ssna,e, but 90 inc9mplcted
call to order. Butler pushed ahead with a
repetition Of his charge. ~ take it, said
he. land | reiterale it that it is princi.
pie of ethics that no one here will dispute,
that lie who deals blow On one that is III
prepared Tor il, and has no notice Of it, is
an assassin and coward and venture
that it is al assertion that even the Speak
er's gavel will not interrupt" Butler then
sat down full Of passion and excitement.
Members were requested to take their seats,
aad order was restored After little more
debate the vote was taken. but SO general was
the feeling against Butler, who had at first
advocated tho bill, when he knew lie was
interested in it, that he only got twelve votes,
the measure being rejected by more than q
hundred majority.
WASHINGTON ITEMS. following APP
pointments to leading positions under the city |
government, have been made by Mayor Emory: |
Water registrar, John II. Crane superinten- |
dent of sewers, &C., VIM. Forsyth superin-
tendent OF public schools, j. o. Wilson Sc
cretary tc board Of school trustees, A. p. Far |
don secretary to board Of health, DIR. I. NJ. |
chief engineer fire department, |
George Holmes, secretary to fire commission
err, Joseph Hatton. &c,
The President has signed the act providing |
t-r the appointment OF an additional judge |
Tor the District Supreme Court and abollshing
the Orphans Court.
The mad dog season is at hand and several
dangerous animals have already been killed by
the police In various parts of the civ
The Prcsbytery of Washington Cityheld
ts first session On Monday last, in the Bridge
street Church, Georgetown. 1t has under its
,are the churches heretofore in connection with
he New and Old School Presbyterics, known
IS Potomac and "Dstrict OF Columbia.
The President is to take 1 trip earlY next