Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-11
BEN. BUTLER AROUSED
At Being Politely Called a Liar in
Open Court at Boston.
QUITE A SENSATIONAL SCENE.
Bold Ben Charged With Falsity by a
United States Judge.
AN EXCITING DIALOGUE BETWEEN THEM
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATCH, !

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.l
BOSTON, April 10.-Judge Carpenter, of
the United States Court Bench, called Gen
eral Butler liar to-day in heated argu-
ment over legal matters connected with the
famous johnson case, upon which General
Butler has staked his reputation. He did
not use the word ''liar," but everybody
knew what he meant, and there was de-
cided sensation in the crowded court room
over that and the dramatic scene that fol-
lowed.
The case against Mrs. johnson, who was
convicted of perjury in attempting to obtain
pension, came up on General Butler s
motion for new trial. The General has
stated that be did not get fair hearing be-
fore the present Court and the feeling be-
tween the Court and counsel has not been
marked by unnecessary friendliness. There
were several brushes in to-day's proceedings.
Judge Carpenter, in refusing to grant
General Buffers motion for new trial,
said: "The second objection was to the with
holding or holding up of ruling upon
the validity of the marriage OF defendant to
Stevens under the laws of Vermont, until
the charge was delivered to the jury. This
was not true. 1t never was true, and it was
always known not to be true ever since the
trial.
Butler Stung to Madness.
1.-THE question was fully argued by the
counsel at the time, and the Court stated fully
what he should rule. TheS statement,
therefore, being false, and known to be false
by the counsel now before the court, it con-
stituted no grounds for new trial"
This brought General Butler to his feet,
and, trembling with excitement and rage, he
exclaimed: GAS to the allegation that the
claims in the motion are false, l reassert
them to be true. and that they can be proved
by the records of Lhe court"
Judge Carpenter, with frmness and very
pointedly, replied: "You have said SO once,
and you knew it to be false"
General Butler turned pale, compressed
his lips to suppress the retort that was
ready, and after moment of painful silence
he took up another phase of the case and
the following spicy debate followed:
General Butler-I propose to have writ
of error from the Circuit Court as soon as
the Court will settle the exceptions.
Again Called Liar.
The Court-There have been no exceptions
presented up to this present moment.
General Butler-That is as true as some
thing else have heard. The exception is
now in your hands.
The Court-You have not presented them
to me at any time, and you have not done SO
now.
General Butler laughed and pointed to
the clerk. who held document in his hand,
and said: "Give me that till hand it to
His Honor
The Court Ito the Clerk keep that. Mr..
Clerk; it will not be used for any perform
ance.
General Butler-Will Your Honor accept
them? There is the bill OF exceptions pre-
sented, read to Your Honor. Your Honor
knows them, evade them if you like. 1
offer them.
Turning to the people in the court. he
made this appeal to them: II wish you to