New-York tribune., 1875-03-01
ANOTHER ALTERATION OF GEN. BUTLER.

A CoILoQUY BETWEEN SPEAKER BLAINE AND GEN.
BUTLER AS TO TIE FORMERS RIGHTS - TIE
POINT DECIDED ADVERSELY TO GEN. BUTLER BY
MR.. CESSNA, SPEAKER PRO TEN
tBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON Peb 2S.-The session OF yesterday
and last night not marked by many OF those in
teresting o exciting incidents which generally
break up the monOtOny of the long hours. The ex-
citement at times rose very high, aud it would have
been very easy thing to have thrown all into con-
fusion by an improper or llconsidered ruling, but
Speaker Blaine managed the House with wonderful
tact and skill. HIS decisions were instantly made,
and were not tinged with partisan prejudice After
the contest was over, the representatives OF both
parties agreed that no undue advantage had been
given by any one of his rulings to either party. 1t
would have been impossible for a stranger to our
politics to have determined from his course towhich
party the Speaker belonged, whether he was per-
sonay in favor OF or opposed to the bill.
Early in the evening the Speaker was grossly in
suited by Gen. Butler. but, as former occasions
the latter got the worst of the little battle of words
that ensued. The roll was being called on Mr. Can
mons amendment to strike out the suspension OF the
habeas corpus section. and interest was 80 great in
the result that members crowded about the Clerk s
desk and watched the vote as it was recorded. The
Sneaker had also called Mr. Cessna to the chair and
was himself at the Clerks desk. when member
rose TO point of order and asked that the rule be
enforced which forbids members to be near the
Clerks desk while the roll is called. The members
who were gathered there resumed their seats but
the Speaker remained, and Gen. Butler remarked :
IL see no member at the Clerks desk but the
Speaker" A few minutes later Gen. Butler cooy
returned to the Clerks desk. MIR. Buckner made
the point of order again, and the Speaker having
resumed the chair, the following colloquy occurred
the House being perfectly quiet 20 that every word
was heard in the remotest corner:
Gen Butler of Massachusetts-"I have as much
right here at the Clerks desk IA the Speaker has"
The Speaker-"On what ground does the gentle
man say that ~
Gen Butler" On the ground that am member
of the House. and is he when he is not in his seat
The Speaker-"The gentleman from Massachu
setts has no right to interrupt. the rol-call."
Gen. Butler, have not interrupted anybody"
The Speaker-"The Speaker has perfect right to
remain at the desk"
Gen. Butler" So bave the same right"
The Speaker" Tie Speaker has no assigned
seat on the floor of The House, but if he chooses to
leave the chair fo recreation it is not for the
tlcman from Ny ssachusetts TO tell him where he
shall stand. The gentleman from Massachusetts,
has no riglD to violate the rules Of the House i'll
this way. + The Chair calls the gentleman from
PennsyF 5ania, Mr.. Cessna, to the chair" Mr..
CessnS here took the chair Speaker pro teopore.
Gg j. Butler" Pardon me. When the gentleman
s' ut of bis seat as Speaker he has no more right
t.nan have to be at the Clerks desk"
I, Mr.. Baine-",I have right to stand where i
choope. and the rule forbids you to stand ut the
| Clerks desk"
Gen. Butlsr-"Aud forbids You"