The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-02-03
Buffers Ever Ready Repartee.

Buffers Ever Ready Repartee.
Butler was always in hot water OH the
floor of the house, and it was during q
discussion pertaining to the discovery
and investigation of customs frauds
that he found himself one night in de-
bate, with the whole committee of the
ways and means arrayed against him.
Thirteen against one" exclaimed But
Ter. "Come on; don't mind the odds"
1t was the same night that "Calico"
Charley Foster, of Ohio, attempted to
tackle the general. "Sunset" Cox, from
the Democratic side of the house, had
just arisen to facetious point of
order, insisting that "the gentleman
from Massachusetts should address the
members on the floor of the house in
stead of the lazaroni in the galleries"
"Shoo fly, don't bother me-" was Buffers
laconic reply, and the genial wit Of the
house sat down amid an uproar of good
natured laughter from the whole assem-
bly,. HE refers to my unfortunate OPP
TIC" continued Butler. "and you, too,
sir" addressing Mr.. Foster. II under
stood that the gentleman from Ohio in
tended to give Old Cockeye hit the first
time he got chance I
"Whoever made that assertion is guilty
of falsehood," replied Foster.
Forthwith Butler turned to his desk,
and, taking from a package Of papers
letter, told a page to ask Mr.. Foster if
the signature attached thereto was his
own. Mr.. Foster acknowledged that it
was, whereupon he handed it to the
clerk and requested him to read it to the
house. 1t proved to be letter from Mr..
Foster to one Of his colleagues who had
complained of Buffers doings, promising
to give "Old Cockeye a hit the first OPP
portunity that offers"
II heard that the gentleman from
Massachusetts had been robbing the tel
egrap, Offices, but did not know that
he had been robbing the mails" was all
that Foster could say.
1.-THE gentleman from Ohio has volun-
tarily accused himself of falsehood," was
Buffers response, and Foster was not
heard of again that night.
Lawyer Butler entered into partner
ship with his preceptor, William Smith,
father of HI. f. Durant. 1t was not long
before &c had acquired large practice.
One of his earliest cases was a most i'm
the city of Lowell for damages claimed
ror injuries received by falling into Gel
larway which opened upon the sidewalk.
The young lawyer won his case, and the
city paid $4,000 damages, the principle
that cities are liable for such defects
being then established. In another early
case the audacity which has always dis
tinguished General Butler in court was
displayed most effectively. The case
being called in court, the young lawyer
said in the usual way, "Let notice be
given"
Gin what paper?" was the inquiry of
the gray haired clerk of the court, q
stanch Wing.
SIN the Lowell Advertiser" said the
young Democratic lawyer, naming a
jackson paper.
II don't know such paper" said the
Wing clerk disdainfully.
"Don't interrupt the court proceed
ings, Mr.. Clerk" said the lawyer, ''for
If you begin to tell us what you don't
know there will be no time for anything
else"
General Buffers promptness of retort
is proverbial. Another well remembered
case of this sort occurred at later day.
He was cross questioning witness in
somewhat sharp manner, and tho judge
interposed, reminding the lawyer that
the witness was Harvard professor.
81 know it, your honor" was the reply.
eve hanged one of them the other day."
Butler referred to Professor Webster,
who murdered DR.. Parkman.
General Butler had great practice
before the war. For years he had two
offices, one in Boston and one in Lowell,
and partner in each engaged in the
preparation of cases. He was trying
cases in court almost constantly for nine
months in the year. He was punctual
and methodical in his comings and go
ings between Lowell and Boston. When
the war broke out he had one Of the most
lucrative practices in New England,
worth probably $25, 900 year. He was
trying q case in court when the order
came for the Sixth regiment of his bri-
gade to muster on Boston common in
readiness to proceed to Washington. BY
the courtesy of the opposing counsel and
the court he was allowed to leave the
court, and the case was stopped at that
point.
General Buffers Only Love AFFAIR.