The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-19
BUTLER on HIS METTLE.
The South Carolina Senator Defends the
President-The Po,npous Preten-
sions of Senator Blair Skill
fully Punctured.

NpSclul " Tic New > tiIltl NOuIlcI.
WASHINGTON, July 12.-Senators
Butler and Blair had an unusually
sharp colloquy in the Senate to-day,
growing out of proposition to print
5000 copies Of a report from the Senate
committee on pensions, which criticises
severely the Presidents action in veto
ing certain private pension bills.
Politics and pensions are regarded as
twins in the Republican household,
and these two subjects invariably travel
hand in hand in Congressional debates.
Senator Hawley, in presenting re-
quest for the printing CT the report,
took occasion to rebuke the President
for certain expression he used towards
pension claimants in his veto message.
Senator Stewart, Of Nevada, also
joined in the attack upon the President,
and said some very ugly things about
him.
Senator Butler, in his usually
straightforward manner, undertook to
defend the President against these par
tisan assaults, and characterized them
as unjust and unmanly. He truly
stated that Congress has on 11any oc-
casions granted pensions without going
deep enough into the facts in the case,
and he frankly assumed his share of
the responsibility. He commended the
President for his energy and industry
in examining so closely into the details
of all matters of legislation requiring
his approval, and suggested that Con-
gress had the power to override any of
his vetoes which were considered un-
warranted by the facts. He declared
himself ready to vote to override veto
whenever, in his opinion, an act Of in
Justice is done to even the humblest
citizen, but he protested against such
uncalled for attacks upon the President
on all occasions by the Republicans.
BLAIR, THE PURITAN.
Senator Blair, the author Of the edu-
cational bill and also the recognized
champion of the woman's rights and
prohibition causes in the Senate, sur
prised, and for a time amused. the Sena-
tors present by his vigorous and eXas-
perating reply to Senator Butler. He
also charged the President with using
language in his veto message that
should not be used by gentleman, and
finally a>sailed Senator Butler and ac-
cuScd him of confessing himself culpa-
bly, negligent in the discharge Of his
duty as Senator.
EAGER TO SEE THE ROW.
BY this time word has been passed
through the Capitol that Butler and
Blair were having a row, and the gal
leries quickly filed with interested
spectators, and many members of the
House crowded into the Senate Cham
Der. Several Senator's jumped to their
feet to take part in the discussion, but
the presiding officer, Senator ingalls,,
recognized Senator Butler. The latter
appeared somewhat excited as he arose,
and he thundered forth reply to the
unexpected personal attack upon him
by Il brother Senator. He charged Blair
with mal;ciously abusing the President
behind his back; and said that if ever
the President had to take his standard
of the gentleman from the Senator from
New Hampshire it would be a sorry
day fer the country. He charged that
Blair was 4 demagogue, adding that it
would be better for the Senate and the
v IL
rs the Senator and his measures were
an incubus upon the Senate.
BLAIR GETS MAD.
As soon as Senator Butler took his
seat Senator Blair sprang up and said
that he did not suppose his remarks
would subject him to insult. He then
pitched into Senator Butler as rebel,
a traitor, &c, and added that while he
did not claim personal courage was
brought in by Senator Buffers CRITICS.
ing Senator Blair for assai!ing the
President where the latter could not
respond.
Before Senator Blair concluded his
remarks the morning hour expired and
the fisheries treaty came up, thus pre-
Guiding Senator Butler from further
replying.