The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-21
WASH IMGT0M
.>~>~~~~~>~r-o~-~~->~~>
CLOSING SCENES OF CONGRESS.
General Buffers Reply to
senator Davis.
Savage Attack Upon Butler by
Beck, of Kentucky. =
Proclamation by the President Converting an
Extra Session Of the Senate.
~~~-~~-~-~-~>~---
The Ku Klux Bill Signed by the
President.
~-~~-o>~>~~~.>~>>o~~.~>~~-~
Departure Of General Grant for
the West.
Proclamation by the Presidsnt. Converting an
Extra Session Of the Senate.
The Ku K1ux Bill Signed by the
President.
Departure Of General Grant for
the West.

WASHINGTON, April 20, 1871.
Concluding Scenes In thc douse-isen Buffers
Reply to Senator Duvis-Farnsvorth, Of
Illinois, Takes a Hand in the Quarrsi-Nler-
CHESS Onslaught Upon Butler by Beck, oil
Kentucky.
The closing hours OF the House to-day witnessed
one Of those scenes which, in the olden time, hap
pened ct rare intervals, but since the ADVENT Of Ben
Butler have been OF frequent occurrence. Some
weeks ago there was a personal difficulty between
General Butler and Garrett Davis In the Senate, the
particulars OF which were reported in the HERALD
at the time. subsequently Senator Davis, In the
course OF personal explanation in the Senate,
spoke OF Butler In terms more iorcible
than either elegant or parliamentary, denouncing
him damned scOundrer' and ''cowardly
blackguard" Ever since Davis delivered this speech
Butler has been anxious TO reply. In order to keep
within the bounds OF parliamentary decorum Butler
departed from his usual custom and went to the
trouble of writing his speech. Early this week he
rose IN his place In the House to personal eypa-
nation intending to deliver his reply to the ''gar-
rulous Garrett" but the Kentucky delegation, learn
ing Of Buffers intention, determined to object 10 his
making his personal explanation AS soon as the
time for adjournment sine die had been agreed upon
Butler took advantage OF the rule OF the House which
PROVIDES that within ten days OF the adjournment
the rules may be suspended, and accordingly he
moved to suspend the rules to-day rs to make his
explanation. With mingled feeling Of generosity
and curiosity the democrats, with the exception of
the Kentucky members, voted with the republicans
10 suspend the rules. This was within an hour and
. half Of the adjournment. 1t was generally known
not only that Butler proposed to make such an ex
PLANTATION, but the character OF the explanation it.
self was well Understood.
When Butler arose in his place there was an invo-
untary congregation Of the members on both sides
OF the House around him. The Kentucky delega
headed by that awkward but able Scotchman, Mr..
Beck. seemed determined to get close to the bold
ben Butler. Farnsworth, OF Illinois, VINO, 1t was
understood would be alluded to in Buffers speech,
was also in the foreground The people in the gal
leries VINO had come witness the dissolution OF
the first session OF the Forty-secOnd Congress made
rush for the front seats, as If intent upon hear
Ing oil that Butler had to say. Garrett Davis
was not present. probably because he did not ex-
pect that the kentucky objection to the explanation
could be overcome. Butler read MS speech, but he
was 50 familiar with 1t that he frequently aban-
dOned his manuscript and spoke with a force that
gave effect to what he had to say There was moth
tng very Ia his remarks about Davis, except
the denials OF that Senator's allegations When he
came down to Farnsworlh that gentleman pricked
up his ears and listened intently to every word. IL
was evident that ne intended to reply. though
ne took no notes. When Butler had concud ed, after
some little delay. Farnswortn obtained the moor.
Farnsworth Is On old member OF the House, familiar
with all the rules OF debate. He knows how to DC
severe and at the same time to keep within the
bounds OF parliamentary decorum. His tall, angu-
lar figure his long, flaring beard, and certain sar
donic expression, together with his cool manner,
lent additional force to what he said His remarks
were confined principally TO n review OF the test-
mony taken bv the Military Committee in the inves
tiga.on VI Buffers management OF the No
tional Soldiers Asylum. 1t very evident
that Butler felt the force OF Farnsworths
remarks; for the Massachusetts member arose seve-
raj times to make points or order upon his antago-
MIST His principal point was That the member from
Illinois was abusing the privileges Of the House IN
making personal assault upon nim. The Speaker
ruled that this was specific point OF order but
when Farnswortn charged Butler with gorgng him
self with the public money and Butler rose second
time to point OF order the Speaker ruled that such
language was not parliamentary. But the House,
by an almost unanimous vote, allowed Farnsworth
to proceed.
OF course Butler obtained a few minutes for re-
ply. He epdeavored to defend himself against the
charges OF Farnsworth, but 1t was evident that he
made little impression upon the House.
Then Beck Of Kentucky, claimed few minutes
to reply to Buffers attack upon Garrett DAVIS This
was in some respects more severe than Farnsworths
reply. Beck gave Butler to understand that, not
withstanding the age OF the Senator from Kentucky,
the member from Massachusetts could have what
ever satisfaction he desired there elsewhere. He
also stated that in the Reconstruction Committee
room he had seen Farnsworth shake his fist close
under Buffers nose on several OCCASIONS In the
presence OF ten or a dozen members OF the House,
IN such manner as no white man should take from
another.
At this point Butler arose and protested that
Farnswsrth was not q white man. whereupon
Beck gave 1t as his opinion that Farnsworth would
pass for q white man In the state OF Kentucky.
This created laugh at Buffers expense.
The debate continued until the hour OF adjourn
ment and the House may be said to have broken up
in q row.
Proclamation by the President Converting an
Extra Session Of the senate.
WASHINGTON, April 2a. 1871.
by the President OF the United States Of America.
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas objects OF interest 10 the United states
require that the Senate should be convened
twelve O'Clock on Wednesday, the 10Th aay OF May
next TO receive and act upon such commu mic tion
~ may be made 10 1t on the part OF the Executive,
Now, therefore, l, Ulysses >. Grant, President OF
the United states have considered TO be my DUTY
extraordinary occasion requires the senate OF
the United states to convene. for the trans.
washington, on wednesday, the iotn day OF May
next at twelve O'Clock on that day, Of which all who
shall at that time be entitled 10 act as members Of
that body are hereby required 20 take notice.
GIVEN under my hand and the seal OF tue united
States, at Washington, the twentieth OF April IN the
year OF our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
seventy one and Of tue independence OF the United
States OF America the DnetJ-nfth.
U. 5. GRANT.
BY the President.
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary OF State.
Bills signed by the President.
The President to-day signed ana approved the fol
lowing acts:-
An act authorizing the Secretary OF the Treasury
TO convey the Unlteo States Branch Mint at Danio-
mega, Co., TO the trustees OF me North Georgia
Agricultural College Tor educational purposes an
ACT to enable the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Com
pany to mortgage Its road; an act TO enable tho
A0ught0n and Ontanag0n Railroad Company 10 make
survey Of It's road an act for the relief OF Nicholas
ihu afl