ery boy that
whistles it on the street, and every hand-organ, 'Shoo, fly, don't
bodder me'!" Cox, for the time, was extinguished, but patiently
watched his opportunity till he found his revenge, which Butler
afterward frankly acknowledged. For a time there was bad blood
between them, but they finally became friends, and I think so
continued.

General Banks was always a notable personality. His erect figure,
military eye, and splendid voice secured for him the admiring
attention of the galleries whenever he addressed the House. Ashley
of Ohio who took the lead in the impeachment movement, in which he
was so zealous that he became known as "Impeachment Ashley," was
another picturesque figure. His fine _physique,_ frolicsome face,
and luxuriant suit of curly brown hair singled him out among the
bald heads of the body as one of its most attractive members.
Boutwell impressed the House as a man of solid qualities, and a
formidable debater. He acquitted himself admirably in his defense
of Butler against a savage attack by Brooks. Blair was a man of
ability, independence, and courage, of which his record in the
House gave ample proof. Wilson of Iowa was a young man when he
entered Congress, but soon gave proof of his ability, and took rank
as one of the best lawyers on the Judiciary Committee. Judge
Kelley, since known as the "Father of the House," and one of the
fathers of the Greenback movement, first attracted attention by
the wonderful volume and power of his voice. It filled the entire
Hall, and subdued all rival sounds; but to the surprise of everybody,
he met with more than his match when he was followed, one day, by
Van Wyck, of New York, who triumphantly carried off the palm.
Kelley's voice was little more than a zephyr, in comparison with
the roar and thunder that followed it and called forth shouts of
laughter, while Kelley quietly occupied his seat as if in dumb
amazement at what had happened.

James Brooks was always a conspicuous figure on the Democratic side
of the House. I first knew him in the log cabin days of 1840, and
afterward served with him in the Congress of 1849. He was a man
of ability, a genuine hater of the negro, and a bitter partisan;
but I never saw any reason to doubt his personal integrity, and I
think the affair which threw so dark a cloud over his reputation
in later years was a surprise to all who knew him. Michael C. Kerr
was one of the very first men in the House, and a ma