The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-08
WASHINGTON,
Infamous SpeculatiOnS Of a Tennessee
Congressman.
How Small Sums Are POcketed by
Retail Members.
Andrew Johnson's Prospects
for Congress.
Suicide Of Another Distinguished
Erenchman.

WASHINGTON, August 2, 1870
Whittemore Outdone-The Congressional
Specula iions Of X. X. Bnfler.
A letter from Greenville, Tennessee, just received
here, 10 be submitted to the Commissioner OF Pen
sions, states tnat Representative II. r. Butler, OF
that Congressional district, commenced his pension
and county speculations in October, 1857 ana
among the serious charges against nm is that he
procured back pay and allowances to the amount OF
$780, but gave only $40 TO the widow IN whose
behalf 1t was obtained Further, that he made
a business OF having bins passed by Congress, the
recipients OF tBe benefits paying him onehalf OF the
sum; and that he obtained pension for a man who
had served as a Confederate soldier, never having
been in the Onion army Butler and his son keep
store and compel those for whom the father receives
pensions TO take out the amount in groceries at
large advance over the usual price.
Congressional Movements in Tennessee.
A. II. Pettbone, 1t Is stated viii be the republican
candidate FOR Congress the Greenville Tenn. dis
trict, andt Andrew Johnson viii yet he the
didate Of the democrats though Jim white now has
'the inside track
Republican Assessments Against Govern-
men, Clerks.
At the meeting OF the New Ork Republican Asso-
citation last evening resolution was introduced re-
garding the political assessment the salaries OF
the department clerks In the opinion OF Trainer
those clerks who should go home TO vote ought not
70 be called upon TO pay the tax. After excited
debate the resolution was tabled by vote OF
twenty-five to nineteen, some expressing
themselves In favor OF the substance of the resolu
ton, but opposed to committing the association by
Its adoption. motion 20 appoint committee to
investigate and report upon the proposed assess
ment was carried but afterwards reconsidered and
the whole matter referred TO the Executive commit
tee 10 Is thought that not more than ten have re-
sponded to the call OF TIM general Committee
though something like 5000 clerks have received
tbeir circulars.
Suicide OF a French Noble.
Another Frenchman Of noble family has commit
ted suicide mere, and very much in the same man.
the lamented PENNSYLVANIA. though the
prompting appears to nave been widely DIFF ,
ierent. Rodophe Coot henri Comte de Ihouars
d'Escury, as he signed himself put a pistol to bis
breast at three O'Clock yesterday afternoon aud
shot himself through the heart. The tragedy took
place the first floor Of the house No. 922 Eighth
street. near the Navy Yard, and when people rushed
into the room, attracted by the report OF pistol,
they found the unfortunate Frenchman stretched
upon the floor, with the discharged weapon close
by his side and blood spattered around
pentlfuily. He still alive and con-
scious when thus discovered, and though
suffering dreadiuly, told The tale OF his
ment He acknowledged that he had shot himself
because he weary of life and hoped by thus ter
minatng his earthly TO end TO his trou-
Des, which had been bitter and agonizing. 81 die
by my own hand" said he 'but hope the saviour
heaven VIII have pity my soul in consideration
OF the deep sorrows and ailictions which have fol-
lowed me-" The story or the Comte de Thouars
seems have been the same that has been told q
thousand tunes over-matrnonial infelicity and
consequent inddeity his part. Ills last letter,
written after he had framed the dread resolve to put
end to his existence partially tells the tale lti
ns lo!lows:-
WASHINGTON, August g. 1870.
am gong to de- nm sick in
peace which | pray God / may ind
in The grave / hope and trust He will forgive me
this last sin in consideration OF the anguish which
causes H. ] nave tried hard for the last twelve
months TO lead an honest Woodworking life for he
better had met with a little more Kindness from
those who ought not TO have misunderstood me- 1
am not an ambassador OF France and therefore,
cannot expect 10 60 TO my own native country to
lie among the rest Of my family, but must be
buried, as die in strange country frleniless and
aODe. God bless my wife, baby. family and the few
Trends have and may He III HIS infinite mercy,
pity and forgive RoD0LPnE CoLLOT HENRI,
C0MTE DE THOUARS D'ESCURY.
p S.-My earnest, heartfelt thanks TO Mr.. j. d.
Cox, Judge otto, and 10 my dear friends, the
Marquis de Chambrun and Custerle Collect May
God bless and reward them for their Kindness and
friendship to me. should like to have them follow
me to the grave. that may not go alone ike a dog
May Goa bless and protect those that love. Let my
household furniture be sold, together with every
thing belonging TO me, ana the proceeds given 10
"Petite." want James O'Connor 10 ask for and
ceive my months salary, ana give that also TO her,
for she also viii have lost her only friend when die.
Biy pension, If possible, | shoud li2eto go my
baby My life Is insured, and jim O'CODnOr has
my WILL
There are good many theories as to the cause OF
the deed, but all confused that it is hard to
get at the Truth The only fact clearly established is
that he had domestic troubles. He lived unhappily
with his wife, the daughter of Mr.. Harrison, who
resides Capitol Hill, and holds some position in
the Government Printing Office. They separated
some time ago, and 1t is alleged that the unfortunate
Frenchman then brought to his house another
woman, with whom he lived up to the time OF his
DEATH On the other hand. the Comte repre-.
sened to his friends that this woman was his sister
and not his paramonr. However this may be-
there seems TO be no way of settling it, the
surviving relatives OF deceased refuse TO throw
any light the subject Very little Is known about
the private history Of the deceased. lie came to
this country several years ago, and spoke English
very nuently He was accomplished and
gentemanly in his department During the late
rebellion he volunteered the side OF the Union
army, and served with great distinction, displaying
on several occasions the most undaunted courage
For his bravery and general good conduct al Vlcks
burg he received very unusual honor in the shape
OF laudatory letter from General Grant himself
Repus s ne club WAS in YORK e wDsHe
zealOusly for the election OF General Grant.
Next ne turned up IN Washington, and being recon-
mended warmly by Senator Fenton Mas appointed
to a position In the Pension Once. Getting INTO
some difficulty with fellow employee there he went
back to New York. and some six months ago turned
up here again 1t was at this time that the Marquis
de ChambruD became acquainted with Thouars.
Being in want Of secretary, friend OF the Marquis
recommended Ihouars and the Marquis gave him
employment besides helping him 10 gel an Oilce in
the Census Bureau Thouars remained in this
w
leaving the Marquis then he appointed TO return
at five O'Clock the next morning Saturday 10 do
some writing He did not come according 10 agree
meDt. but made his appearance about noon appa-
reDtly very much excited. The Marquis was out at
the time bat when he returned 10 has rooms he found
Thonars sitting NJ a desk reading article in the
Reoge des Dettr MOndes on capital punishment