Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-02-01
RODERHCK RANDOM BUTLER AT
LARGE AGAEN.

HoDERHCK RANDOM BUTLER AT
LARGE AGAIN. -
We print elsewhere report of the pro-
ceedings in; the trial of Roderick Random
Butler, at Washington, on the charge of
forgery on the Pension Bureau. It viii
be seen from this report that the govern;
lnent failed to sustain the allegations
against Butler, and he was consequently
discharged. This whole proceeding par
takes largely of the nature of 9. judicial
farce, or something worse. If the testi-
mony upon which this suit was insti-
tuted was as slender as appears by the
trial, why was Butler prosecuted at alR
The authorities of the Pension Bureau
have shown little judgment in this mat
ter, or tn ere is something yet behind. 1t
will be remembered that when Butler
was brought before Judge Trigg, at Bris-
tol, last summer, the government failed
to make case against him, just as was
done at Washington, and the Judge dis
charged him. A good deal of Indignation
was expressed toward Judge Trigg for the
course he was compelledto pursue underline
law. 1t was claimed then that Judge Trigg
should have held Butler for trial before
the court at Washington, as the proofs of
his guilt in the hands of the Commission,
er of Pensions was positive. 1t was
stated that Government detectives had
been working up the case, and that proof
positive of Buffers guilt had been dis
covered. None of this proof was sub
mitted on the trial, nor has there been
any explanation of its absence. 1t ap-
pears that Butler himself has taken
step in the matter. The Washington cor
respondent of the Cincinnati Gazette
(Rsdical) writes, Jan. 90:
cit seems that the end of the Roderick
r. Butler matter is not yet. Now that
he has been INDICATED by the courts,
Bltler, it is said, will make efforts to have
Van Aernam removed on the ground of
bringing causeless disgrace upon q men,
Der of Congress. There is considerable
speculation here as to the terminus of this
prosecution. Public opinion, which at
one time set very strongly against Butler,
now seems TO be in bis favor, and con-
dennis thoee who instigated the prosecu-
ton without being sure that they had
cause. On the other hand, il is claimed
that the case was pressed to trial before
the prosecution was ready, and that the
Government officers are still at work in
the mountains of East Tennessee in
search of witnesses. Commissioner Van
Aernsm himself asserts that the case
was never properly presented, and thst
evidence does somewhere exist which
would convict Butler.n
Here we have the old story of the court
hurrying the case through, and not wait
ing for the government witnesses. Moth
ing of this kind appears to have been in
timated on the trial. II is Radical fight.
No Democrat appears to be involved In it
in any way. Butler charges that the ar.
rest was instigated by members of his
own party; men for whom he had failed
to procure Office, or other favors asked OF
him. II his arrest had been the work of
Democrats, would not the Radicals have
howled over the 'disioyal sentiment"
which would thus prosecute loyal men,
Der of Congress Notwithstanding pub
lie sentiment at Washington appears TO
favor Butler now, and to regard him
somewhat in the light of prosecuted
individual, there is, nevertheless, feeling
that something has been held back. The
Washington Patriot of Jan. % says:
''Mr. Butler, of Tennessee, has been
acquitted of the charge of forgery, as
we anticipated he would be, in view of
his political relations and partisan char
acter of the court and its surroundings.
That verdict has therefore excited no sur
prise, but it does not change the opinion
of single man, who has examined the
case, or who has heard the story of the
poor, defrauded soldiers wife. After
this, we are quite prepared for Mr.. Bow
ems acquittal on the indictment of bigamy.
And it may be expected, in the natural
order of things, that both these Radicals
will attain to higher honors than they
have heretofore enjoyed, for with such
qualifications there is no distinction which
they may not aspire 10 claim in that
party"