The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1868-04-22
KUx-KLUx COUNCIL.
High Old Caucus of Empeach-
ment.
CONTINUATION OF THE TRIAL
General Thomas Testimony.


on examination by Mr.. Stanbery, testified
as to his rank in the army and his appoint
ment as Adiutant general in March, 1861;
he remained in office after Mr.. Stanton's
appointment; was sent by him to various
parts of the country to organize and inspect
troops, &c; organized about eighty, thou.
sand colored troops; his last special duty as
Adjutant-general was reformed about the
close of 1867; was retored to office duty as
Adiutant general by order of the President,
February lS, 1868; saw the President soon
afterwards.
Mr.. Butler objected to the question,
What was the conversation?
Witness then stated that on the morning
of February q he received a note from the
Private Secretary of the President. asking
him to come to the White House. He
went, and the President handed bin pa
pers, being letter to Stanton and his own
letter of authority; never saw the papers
before; had no hand in preparing them =
The President said to him, Il intend to
support the Constitution and laws and ex,
pett you TO do the same. Witness went
to the War Department with General vii,
liams, and demanded possession. Mr.. Stan
ton asked if time would be granted to res
move his papers General Grant was pres,
ent, and he showed him his appointment as
Secretary ad interim.
Witness then retired to his room; on the
same day he received letter from Stanton
torbidding him to issue any orders as Sec
retary dd interim, which letter witness pros
ceedcd to read.
Mr.. Stanber9-W was said in convcr-
sation between you and the President, sub,
sequently on the same day?
MIR. Butler objected, and argued at length
Tor some time thatthe conversation relating
to the subsequent to the commission.
MI Stanbe.y replied contending that it
was clearly admissible as bearing on the fact
that the managers had Introduced large
amount Of testimony about the conversa-
ton held long after tie date in question;
they had put in evidence what the gentle,
man had said when not .n oath, and porr>
ton OF his evidence now should be admissi
Bile.
Mr.. Butler rejoined challenging the pros
duetion Of the legal authorities to prove
that What one conspirator said to another,
after an act was colpmitted, could be put
in evidence in his favor although the con,
fession of d criminal could always be used
against him He expressed the belief that
tho remarks about supporting the constitu'
tian and laws were pre- arranged and mans
for effect.
Mr.. Evarts remarked that the hearsay
evidence of what General Thomas said was
in reduced on pledge that the President
would be connected with it. Now the Pres
sident's counsel propose to show from Gen
eral Thomas himself, what were the in
structions and what the intention OF the
President.
At Mr. Bingham suggestion the qless
ton objected to was reduced to writing and
read by the Secretary. He then argued IN
sunport of the objection. He denied that
The managers bad introduced hearsay evl
4, nee; the declaltions fcoconspirators were
primory evidence. lie SAID it was uitiing
with Justice, and an accused criminal in his
own behalf
Vhe Chief Justice then s'mitted to the
Senate the question of admitting General
Thomas" testimony in regard to the con
versation, and the yeas and nays resulteu IN
A 10 10; so the evidence was admitted.
Witness stated to the President that he
had delivered the communication TO Mr.:
Stanton, and. told him what answer bad
been made. The President said to him,
Very well, go on, take possession and obey
orders" This was all that occurred; did
not see the President again that evening;
next morning witness was arrested, went
with the Marshal to the White House; told
the President he was in custody, and on
what charge; the President replied, Very
well, that is Just where | want it in Court
Witness then left for his hotel, on giving
bail. He asked Judge Cartier if he was in
the meantime suspended from his functions;
the Judge replied in the negative, and ex
planned the effect of giving bail; witness
narrated the circumstances and the conrer
'sation which occurred after he went to the
War Office, the same morning after the
members of Congress who witnessed his
interview with Star ton retired, General
Thomas said to Mr.. Stanton, the, next
time you have me arrested do it after break
fast: | have had nothing this morning to
eat or drink. (" Laughter. Mr.. Stanton
in playful manner ran his hand through
witnesses hair and said, well, | think,
General, we have little something, here -
Whereupon General Shriver produced a
bottle and Mr. Stanton divided its contents,
about a spoonful, into two parts, and they
took drink together. Subsequently some
full bottles were brought, and this was all
the force used that day Great laughter /;
Mr. Stanbery asked it the President had
ever directed him to use force or threats to
obtain possession of the War Department.
An objection was made, and argued by
Messrs. Butler and Evarts, without dlVls'
ion. lEa aaue ~
The Senate allowed the question to be
put, and Thomas replied in the negative,
When questioned as to his conversation
with Burleigh, he said he never invited him
to come to his office; had said to him OF
Wilkinson that he would call on Genera
Grant or kick the doors down; knows noth>
ing whatever about Karznerr supposes be
may have seen him Jour years ago when he
was i'll at home; Karzner introduced him
self as an old acquaintance, and hung or
him by The hand while h. made remarks;
several times be repeated about Delaware
having her eyes upon him!( (Thomas); karz
ner then asked him when he was gtiDg tt
kick that fellow out, and he adopted Karz>
ner' s words, and said he would do it in {
few days; never thought about kicking
| Stanton out.
Cross examined From March, 1868 t
February 10, 1866, did not perform the OF
flee duties of Adjutant- general; Mr., Stan
! ton took the Presidents and Gen. Grant
recommendation to retire witness, but ther
was no unpleasant feeling between them
| had no intimation before the 18th OF Feb
ruary that the President wished to max
him Secretary Of War ad interim; swore
by mistake, to the contrary. when examlne'
by the Honse Committee, but corrected hi
! evidence afterward; had swore then that b
had received an intimation to that ettec
about two weeks previously from Colone
| Moore; told the President at the time Of re
| ceiving his appointment he would obey or
ders; did not expect to receive any particu