Year: 1878

Washington, April 5.-Butler, of
Massachusetts, put in nomination to-
day in the House, for the position of
doorkeeper, Gen. James Shields, of
Missouri, Democrat). A long and ex-
cited debate ensued on the point of
order, which was participated in prin-
eipally by Butler Mass. and Cox of
New York. The Democrats resisted
the right to make the motion, as a
question of privilege, and the Republi-
cans tried to force the issue on the
liotlse. Butler presented Gen. Shields
as Union manned soldier. Cox said
he did not desire to interfere when so
honorable gentleman as Gen. Shields
was nominated in pursuance to the
rules of the House, but the Democratic
party preferred TO have the matter set
tied tomorrow. Butler said that if he
had believed that the majority of the
House wJnld have selected Gen. Shields
he would not have pressed his motion:
that gentleman had been shot in the
Mexican war and had his arm shattered
i'll the late war; he was an old man,
and had been member of the House
and United States Senator, and was
now without means of support. Cox
said, why have you not provided for
him in all these yearsg The gentlemen
on the other side have had the DISPOSE
tion of ninety thousand offices and why
had they not discovered this distress
before


Butler said he had no thought that
he should live to hear again in the
House an attack upon him by the gen.
tleman from New York (Cox). He
thought that on former occasion the
gentleman had learned enough not to
do it again, but he (Butlerl would be
merciful now. Laughter.)


Cox.-I don't want any mercy.
daughter


Butler.-"Shoo fly don't bodder me-
Great Laughter.)


Butler.-It is said by the gentleman
from New York Cox that we did not
take care of Gen. Shields before. To
that | answer that the Democrats have
had two Congresses, this one and anoth-
er one. They have had caucusses
where we did not interfere with them
and why did it not occur to them to
take that gallant man for doorkeeper
instead of the gentleman whom they
deserted yesterday.


The gentleman from New York Cox
says that he shall vote according to the
orders of his party. l never vote accord
ing to the orders of anybody under God.
If l believe my party to be wrong,
whether am Democrat, opposing the
extension of slavery, or whether am
Republican opposing any wrong, Istand
with those who stand by me and see the
light as God gives me to see it.


Cox said: am not too old to remem-
Der that he (Butler) was delegate to
the Cincinnati convention.


A voice: "You mean Charleston


Cox-Yes; he committed himself
twice on the slavery question; so that
he ought to be very lenient. Butler,
approached to near where Cox was
speaking. Cox, addressing Butler di-
rectly, said: When growing older you
ought to grow in grace. Laughter.
l will bring you up here to the anxious
bench and pray for you. There is not
a man anywhere who l should rather
lift by kindly prayer than the distin-
guished and intelligent gentleman from
Massachusetts,. l don't say that he
needs it more than other members; 1
know the good points of his character;
know his friendly heart; 1 know
many things about him which the
world does not know. Laughter.
1t is no laughing matter; but beg the
gentleman never hereafter to repeat
his little old stale wit.


Butler, returning to his seat-Cer-
tainly not.


Cox. as in the act of benediction-
Then will send you to your seat now
pardoned; go and sit down, and may
the Lord have mercy on your soul.


Laughter. f.r


Butler, sitting down. do not see
anything to reply to.