The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-27
THE CRISIS IN WASHINGTON.

THE CRISIS IN WASHINGTON.
INTERESTING NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS
The Washington papers are filled with the
pcrticulars of the dead lock now existing be-
tween the President and Congress. The Star
of Monday evening, gives the following &C.
count Of the
THE SECOND VISIT OF GENERAL THOMAS TO THE
WAR DEPARTMENT.
When General Thomas visited the War De-
partrnent, this morning, at II o'clock, he I'M
medjately went to the room OF Mr. stanton,
where Judge Fisher, General 0. 0. Howard,
and several members OF Congress were as
ton, saying:
"Mr. Stanton, have this morning again re-
ceived orders from the President directing me
| to take charge Of the War Department and
the records thereof, and discharge the duties
of Secretary of War dd interim. In obedience
to that order, sir, am here to take charge OF
the Department and assume the duties OF
Secretary of War dd snter,ns."
MIR. Stanton replied: "I do not acknowledge
the authority of the President to give any such
order, and refuse to surrender the Depart
ment to you. You will proceed to your room,
| sir, and discharge your uuties as huJutaue
General Of the army"
General Thomas replied 81 will not do 30,
sir. 1 have been ordered by the President to
discharge the duties Of Secretary OF War ddan-
term, and will obey that order"
General Thomas went into General Shr1Ver,s
room, where. he conversed short time with
several who were present. after which he with
drew.
General Howard, Commissioner of the Freed
mems Bureau, has been with MIR. Stanton for
some time to-day.
During the morning MIR. Stanton was visited
by many members and Senators, put eytweive
O'Clock they were all at the capitol, and this al
ternoon he was engaged in transactnS the bu-
siness of the department, and received persons
who called upon business.
Each entrance to the department is guarded
by an armed sentinel, while number OF mes
sengers and attendants are on duty IN the pas
| sapes. A lieutenant has been placed IN charge
Of the guard at the department, and he occu-
pies q seat near the foot OF the stairs The
room of the Assistant Adjutant-G General is kept
| closed and q messenger stands at the door,
refusing admission to all until the card OF the
visitor has been handed to the Assistant Adju-
tant-General, E. D. Townsend, and he has gly-
en- permission to the visitor to enter.
| Should writ of quo ,oarranto be issued COM
peling Mr. Stanton to appear in person before
the court and show by what authority he holds
the War Department, it would seem to be
very difficult matter for the marshal to gam
admission to serve the saIne unless by VI.
Stanton's consent. No one is admitted to his
room until after card is presented, while in
the ante-room leading to his room some six or
eight messengers are on duty who refuse ad-
mission to all The door of the ante-room, as
we'll as the door of Mr.. Stanton's room are kept
closed.
AN INTERVIEW WITH TIE PREsDENT-waAT HE
SAID.
The Washington Express of Monday even
ing says:
At 121 O'Clock our reporter had an interview
with President Johnson. The President re-
marked that he had made application, through
Attorney-Ge General Stanbery for writ of man
da9,us; and that he had just learned that the
question was being ordered. He desired to
bring the case before the Chief Judicial rl6u-
nal. II the Supreme Court brought Stanton
before them, and he could not show proper
cause in law why he held the War Office and
acted as Secretary, and they (the Supreme
Court) ordered him to vacate, and he (Stan-
toni still refused, then the Executive would act
promptly in the matter, and, with the law and
the constitution OH his side, ne ielt th9t Inc
ther remarked that at this time (half-past
twclve) there was no change from the situation
of Yesterday or Saturday. He recognized no
one but General Thomas as Secretary OF War,
and meant to recognize no one else. he said
that General Emory did not say he would re-
fuse to receive orders from him, or that they
must come through General Grant.
The President was very courteous during the
interview, appeared calm and in good spirits,
| and concluded the interview by remarking that
sGod and the American people would make all
right and save our institutions"
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
sent to the Senate on Monday, and covering
the nomination OF Mr.. Ewing as Secretary OF
War, extends over thirty-seven pages Of FOOLS
cap. and contains numerous law points by
which he claims to be guided in his action.
The President briefly refers to the fact that
each of his predecessors had exercised the pre-
rueative of removal, and that the Supreme
Court had decided that the authority was lodg-
ed in the Executive by the constitution. 1t Is
then shown that so far as the laws are concern
ed, they recognize the power OF the President
T. to displace from Office the head OF depart
ment and further confer upon the Chief Magls-
trate Of the nation the right to make dd ante.
rim appointments. The message denies that
Mr. Stanton's removal is an infraction of the
act of March 2, 1867, and holds that as he was
appointed by MIR. Johnson's predecessor IN the
Executive Office, Mr.. Stanton had no tenure ol
Office beyond the Presidents pleasure. That
act merely provides for the removal of those
; members OF the Cabinet who held appoint.
ments rr, from himself. And this construction
was unanimously reached when the question
came before the Cabinet, Mr.. Stanton himself
acquiescing, the President declares declares that II
removing Mr.. Stanton he has carefully observ
cd the provisions OF the Tenure of Office act il
accordance with the course marked out by
himself as q general rule to execute faithfully
all laws passed over his, veto. He earnestl.
protests against the resolution of the Senate
and saws that as doubts arose respecting tht
true construction OF the Tenure of Office act
and OF the law regulating the removal Of tn
head OF department., he desired nov, to obtal!