The New York herald., 1871-03-31
Rellfcosc Kcntucks0n
Damns Butler.
Debate i'm the House Over the
Ku Klux Bill.

WASHINGTON March 80, 1871.
Interestins Side Scene In the Senntc-Col-
loQuy Between Ben Butler and Senator
-Davis-Thc Kentucky Senator Becomes
.Bcllicose and Dnmns Butler-A Blast From
the Dutch Gap Hero-Duel In Prospect.
There was little side scene in the Senate to-day
which. though comparatively unobserved at the
time, came near resulting In one OF those exhlbi-
tions for which the Senate chamber was famous In
the days when the fiery Bob Toombs, Of Georgia,
and the fierce wigfall, OF Texas were in
their glory, ana when old Ben Wade
nsed TO begin the days business BY deposit.
ing brace OF revolvers in his desk in
fnll view OF the Senate. The embryo actors were
General Butler and Senator Davis, OF Kentucky.
Ben Butler has a face and figure which once seen
can never be forgotten. There Is no man In either
house so easily recognized as Batler Moreover, he
makes such stir in the world that people never
fan to notice him central figure whether In the
House, In the Senate or the street. "There's
Ben Butler ~ is the involuntary exclamation when-
ever he appears upon any scene. When Butler
walked into the Senate Chamber this afternoon
there were few spectators In the galleries and few
senators in their seats. Garrett Davis had been
speaking for couple OF hours, which will explain
the deserted condition OF the Senate Cham
ber. Senator Davis is little, dried up
old man, who was born IN Kentucky
about the beginning Of the present century. He
looks as If respectable gale OF wind might pick
him up any day and sweep him beyond the reach Of
O habeas corpus writ Garrett is plucky little
Fellow, withal. He was raised in the Old Kentucky
school, where the chief points in the education Of a
gentlemen were to know how to fight duel and 10
be Judge of good Bourbon whiskey.
Butler went over TO the Senate for the purpose OF
conferrng with Senator Sawyer, Of South Carolina,
on business. Sawyer occupies a seat In the imme-
diate vicinity Of where Davis sits. The only seat
between them is that Of Thurman, OF Ohio. Thur
man did not happen to be IN his seat, and Butler,
seeing Davis was speaking, sat down in Thurman's 8
seat determined 10 postpone his conversation
with Sawyer until DAVIS had finished 1t. Il appears
that Davis and Butler have not been good
sriend for years past. Davis says that when Butler
was In command at New Orleans he seized brother
u his and took all his plate and furniture. While
Butler was In command at Bermuda Hundred, Davis
says he addressed him letter wherein he called
attention to this affair." and asked Butler to help
get back his brothers property. "Buterr says
Davis, answered me an impudent lo.,er,
tor which L donounvod him she eouatc.''
Under these circumstances the sight OF
Butler is not pleasant to Davis. When Butler
sat down, waiting for Davis to finish his
speech he had nothing better to do than listen to
what Davis was saying. He was about the only
no doubt, thought he was paying Davis high CON-
pllment for there are few, even OF the democratic
Senators and members, who believe tnat life is long
enough TO listen to speech OF thesgarrulous Gar
rett,'' as he is called.
Davis very much worked up In denouncing
the niquity OF the radical party and Butler must
have been sitting close TO him for some time before
he saw him. As he reached the close Of his speech
lie became more and more excited. Finally, while
speaking of the stories about the Ku Klux in the
South, he asserted that they were got up
for political capital and were set afoot by
internal political scoundrels. AS he uttered this
last sentence he turned and shook his fist in the
direction of Butler, evidently with the intention OF
giving that gentleman to understand that in speak
ing OF Internal political scoundres he meant to in
clude him. Butler did not think the cap ntted him
and so he did not put 1t on; IN other words.
he paid no attention to the remark of Davis.
When Davis sat down he turned his gaze
falI on Butler and that gentleman, as If fascinated
BY the Senator from Kentucky, continued to look
At him in an adm1ring way. For some seconds
Davis and Butler sat looking at each other like two
game chickens just before they try the sharpness OF
each otners spurs. 1t was something like the scene
in the opening act of ''Rome ard Juilet."
between Apram ond Balthasar, the attaches of the
respective houses OF Montague and Capulet. Davis
assumed the role Of Abram and Butler that OF Bal
thasar. Davis said to himself mentally at first
ADO you bite your thumb at US rf'' while Butler
replied, 81 do bite my thumb, sir' The gaze OF
Butler finally become mfolerable to Davis, and that
gentleman broke forth as Lollows:-
"Yol Cd id old scoun1rel, 90 you come here
10 glare at me and overawe ME and browbeat ineY
Butler replied with unparalleled GOODNESS, still
gazing at Dayis:-
al have not addressed you, sir, aLd d ont care
d-n for you, sir %
''You id scoundrel, you" was theN Nresponse OF
Davis, at the same time advancing towards Butler,
as If he meant TO strike him. Butler sat in his seat
still looking Davis full IN the face. ;.
your ID old fool,n said Butler, 'tand your
ege protects your ...
The condition Of Affairs was now becoming dan.
gerous, The conversation belWeen BtJer and Davis
had thus lar been IN low tone Of voice. of at least
not 90 loud as to be heard through the chamber, but
lhe actions Qt the pelllgerebls were observed by
several Senator'S. Thurman saw 1t and was about
proceeding TO claim his seat with view TO get But
Ter away, but Senator Wilson. VINO is the great
peacemaKer Of the Republican party, ran
over from the republican side, and step.
Ping between Butler and Davis, said,
For Gods sake, gentlemen, don't 60 anything
mere that you VIII both regret 7,
Davis was now worked UP 10 a white heat or rare
and was gcsticulatng IN a violent manner towards
Butler. The bold Den sat stil In his seat, gazing
upon the excited Garrett At last wilson put his
hand on Buffers shoulder and asked him what was
going on in the House to-day, whereupon Butler got
mp and walked over 10 the republican side OF
the chamber. Several democratic Senators set
about 10 paciiy Garrett but they found 1t difcuit
job. He said Butler could have satisfaction any.
where outside OF the Senate chamber. 1t Is thought
Davis win challenge Butler, according to the regu
lar old Kentucky style. Butler treats the whole
thing as good JOKE aid says il is one Of the most
ludicrous things that has ever happened TO him.
The affair creates much comment here tonight.
tnHSo of tie Graui-SuEEer Qu-rrel-Tho
Senator u stumbling Block In the Prosi-
dearr Path.
IL Is asserted by those who claim 10 know that the
duarrel between the President and Mr. Sumner