The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-13
Buffers Ever Ready Repartee.

discussion pertaining to the discover
and investigation of customs fraud
that he found himself one night in do
bate, with the whole committee of til
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 I,
! tackle the general. "Sunset" Cox, from
the Democratic side of the house. ha,
just arisen to a facetious point O
order, insisting that "the gentlema,
from Massachusetts should address th,
members on the floor of the house in
stead of the lazaroni IN the galleries. ;
"Shoo fly, don't bother me-" was Butler.
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 op
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"
whoever made that assertion is guilty
Of falsehood," replied Foster.
Forthwith Butler turned to his desk,
and, taking from a package Of papers a
letter, told page to ask Mr.. Foster il
the signature attached thereto was his
own. Mr.. Foster acknowledged that il
was, whereupon he handed it to the
clerk and requested him to read it to tn.
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 hit the first op
portunity that offers"
II heard that the gentleman from
Massachusetts, had been robbing the tel
egraph offices, but did not know that
he had been robbing the mails" was all
that Foster could say.
"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 II. f. Durant. 1t was not lone
before he had acquired large practice.
One OF his earliest cases was most i'm
portant one. 1t was an action against
the city of Lowell for damages claimed
for 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"
"In what paper7" was the inquiry OF
the gray haired clerk Of the court, a
stanch Whig.
I'm the Lowell Advertiser" said the
young Democratic lawyer, naming a
Jackson paper.
81 don't know such paper" said the
Whig 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 a later day.
dc was cross questioning q witness in a
sharp manner, and the Judge
nterposed, reminding the lawyer that
he witness was a Harvard professor.
Il know it, your honor" was the reply.
We hanged one Of them the other day."
Butler referred to Professor Webster,
Who murdered DIR. Parkman.
General Butler had a great practice
'efore the war. For years he had two
'ffices, one in Boston and one in Lowell.
nd partner in each engaged in the
Of cases. He was trying
ases in court almost constantly for nine
months in the year. He was punctual
nd methodical in his comings and go
ngs between Lowell and Boston. When
he war broke out he had one of the most
ncrative practices in New England,
Torth probably $4,000 year. He was
rying a case in court when the order
anne for the Sixth regiment of his bri-
ade to muster on Boston common In
eadiness to proceed 10 Washington. BY
no courtesy Of the opposing counsel and
he court he was allowed TO leave the
Durt, and the case was stopped at that
oint.