Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-03-27
WAS A LAW TO HIMSELF.
ANEW AND GOOD STORY ABOUT
BEN BUTLER.
How lie Once brought Secretary stanton
to Terms-Triumphant Yankee
Shrew dness-Ben Was Sol
dom Outgeneraied.

they were carried out. He sought no
instructions from Washington. but
tried To accomplish what he was sent
! TO do in his own way. He supported
not only his army but his government,
by supplies drawn from the enemy.
This was illustrated by his career in
New Orleans. He found the city sui
! len and unwilling TO accept the situa-
! ton. Its streets were filthy its levees
were honeycombed. and pestilence
was threatened. There was no law.
The city was sunk in detection. Law
lessness prevailed.
Martial Law was first declared. After
that "a municipal code OF regulations
was drawn up. A tax was levied upon
! the business men. A fund was quickly
established to clean the streets and
maintain municipal regulations But
this was not all. Over $40, 600 was
expended for a hospital, and money
was used to buy army and other
supplies.
The regular army officers were AS
tonished. They had never before seen
"a leGislating general. Butler waited
for no orders from Washington, but
took the reins in his own hands and
drove ahead regardless Of protests.
One day he sent for Gen. Godfrey
Weitzel.
II want you to go down to Fort
Jackson, he said and repair the
fort
Gen. Weitzel demurred:
This is not the way to do, he re-
piled. The proper way is to seek an
appropriation from Washington. Then
you want the authority OF the war de-
Partment upon IA recommendation of
the Board of Engineers. There is no
unexpected appropriation made for the
repair Of Fort Jackson. and you have
no authority to make the repairs
We'll, Butler replied. you go and
repair the fort. The safety of the city
requires il. will take care of the APP
preparation.
Wcitzel again demured. Butler
urged. and Gen. Weitzel said that he
would resign before he would under
take such work without law.
Butler knew Weitzel's worth as an
engineer officer There was no better
in the army.
Now Weitzel said he. sit down
at that table. Write the strongest pro-
test You can make, saying that you only
DO this by my imperative command,
and upon the distinct understanding
that | alone am responsible.
After much hesitation Gen. Weitzel
sat down and wrote the protest. But
ler indorsed it as correct, and the en-
gineer officer thereupon promised to
go down and see TO the repairs at Fort
jackson.
Nevertheless. he was still doubtful
as to his course. He went over To Gen.
Strong, who held a prominent position
under Gen. Butler. and, like Wetzel,
WAS II West point graduate. Strong
alterward fell in the assault on Fort
Wagner, and was buried by the con
federates under the bodies OF his black
troops.
Neitzel explained the situation and
implored Strong to go over and reason
with Butler. Strong did SO on the in
slant. Butler listened TO him for sew
erd minutes and then broke in with
the words: Strong I've had trouble
enough with Wcitzel. Don't bother
me with your advice. ! don't need it.
You are not ordered TO Fort jackson.
Weitzel, try TO attend to your own du-
ties and allow other officers TO attend TO
theirs Fort Jackson must be re-
paired and Weitzel is the man TO it,
Strong departed crestfallen, and re-
ported to Weitzel. The latter made
no further protest. He gathered his
men, went down TO Fort jackson and
put the fortiflcation in repair.
Whom his work at New Orleans was
completed Gen. Butler returned to
Washington. His books showed every
cent that he had received while in com
mand at New Orleans, and every cent
that had been expended For al his
expenses he had vouchers He APP
peared before Secretary Stanton one
day with his ledger and his vouchor5.
Sta',on gazed at his cooked hat, Us
shoulder straps, and his swor.. a4d
asked him what he wanted
I've just come from New Orleans.
said the general II want TO settle
my accounts. Here are my vouchers
and my ledger"
Stanton sent him over to the proper
accounting officer in the war depart
ment. That officer was trim West
Pointer with an elegant moustache,
manly form, and "A polite bearing
The general threw down his ledger
and laid his vouchers upon the table.
The officer inspected the ledger. lie
looked at the expense account.
Among the first items was one of $40.
600 for fixing up the hospital. He
checked it with his pencil. He passed
down the column and began to check
every item in IT,
What are you doing? Why are
you crossing those items?" the general
inquired.
'Disallowed. sir, replied the Of
ficer with digniRed emphasis.
f..