Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-08-03
The Presidents Views.

The Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial details a conversation he had with President Johnson since Congress adjourned from which we extract the following ::
 THE RECONSTRUCTION BILL.
 Speaking of the last reconstruction bill Mir. Johnson said: My opinion of that and the other Reconstruction Bills is that, if there is any Constitu- tion left in this country--if there is any of 1t still remaining-they are clearly in violation of it. I think that's as clear as any proposition in mathe- matics can be. There may be doubts as to the constitutionality of some bills, but don't think there can be any az to these, and especially the last one. We'll, that bill was sent to me for my approval. couldn't give my approv- al, so sent it back with my objections stating why I couldn't sign it. Docs that prove, because vetoed it that l wont execute it? If they have disre- garded the Constitution in passing it, as I think they have, it's no reason why should disregard it by not exc outing bill passed in the mode pre- btlIOCu ON tuC SOuStItuOlOu, Uy tllt Ic- quired two-thirds majority. A bill may be vetoed either on the ground of expediency or on the ground of consti- tutionality. In either event it becomes as much law after it has been passed by twe-thirds majority over the veto, as if it had received the approval of the Executive. So, of course, there is mo- thing left for me to do but to execute that bill until it is either repealed or modified by Congress, or set aside by competent judicial tribunal.
 !. BOOTH, THE ASSASSIN.
 then said to the President that it had been asserted that he was intimate with Wilkes Booth at Nashville. He replied that he had never seen Wilkes Booth that he was aware of. Booth might have called upon him at the Cap- itol in Nashville, as great many per sons did, but he couldn't remember it. It had been said that Booth played at the theater, in Nashville, while he was Provisional Governor. "It is very hard" said he, ''that such charges as these should be made against mo in Congress, and that there is no redress for me, after those making the accusa- tion have had the opportunity to prove it, and have failed to show the slight est foundation for it. Long after am dead and gone, people will see where l have bavc been charged with that dreadful crime by men making pre- pared speeches in Congress. That will be history. The accusation will be quoted; but there will be no rctrac- ton 10 offset it. Sometimes l think about this very seriously, and | often wonder if the people really bclicvs what these men have said"
 POLITICAL PARTIES.
 The President expressed the fear that the work of restoring the Union would suffer from the combinations and plans for the next Presidency, al- ready in state of formation. As far as he was concerned, he said, he had no ambition for another term, and was not, and never had been, a candidate for reelection "I am not seeking auy nomination, but l want all the friends I can get to help me save the country, and don't care what party they come from.
 THE PRESIDENTS INTENTIONS.
 While am here, don't intend to be taken charge of by anybody. intend to do what's right, as nearly as 1 can get at it, and 1 won't sbirk the conse- quenccs that may arise from that course. can't please everybody, and it's no use trying. It's all very well to get advice, and 1 am thankful for it al- ways, but the responsibility for acting upon it falls upon me, so must be the judge"
 GEN. GRANTS POLICY.
 have never spoken very much to Gen. Grant on the subject of politics, but should be surprised to find out at this time that he has been opposed to what have been attempting to do