The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-03-24


was ready, bpt : counsel had, devoted
every hour allowed, ianoring private
business and enoroaohing on habitnal
refreshment and recreation, to the
preparation. The President claimed
his Constitutional power Of removal.
He considers the organization of the
war Department and the relations of
the Secretary Of War to his admins
tration, claiming him as his Consti-
tutional adviser and showing the
Presidents responsibility for the Sec
retary's actions. He proceeds to
show that Stanton hnd become hos
tile to the Administration, and could
no longer occupy the position to-
wards the Administration contem-
plated by the fathers, and that the
President could no longer assume re,
sponsibility for his actions. He fur
ther claims, that the action of the
Senate did not restore Stanton to the
War Office; hut that the War Office
was technically vacated when he ap-
pointed Thomas. Familiar laws and
precedents were quoted at length to
sustain this position. He denies
having or intended violating the Con-
stitntion or. laws, Answering the
second article, the President asserts
that the War Office was vacant, and
quotes laws to sustain Thomas ap-
spointment. Answer to the third, is
II general denial. Answer to the
fourth EheG denies aiiy conspiracy
whatever; his action was confined to
the notes to Thomas and Stanton,
appointing one and removing the
other; and I'M answer to fifth, sixth
and seventh, the same allegations oc-
cur, and backed by The assertion that
he had no object whatever bnt to
maintain the prerogatives of his
office by legal means. Answering the
eighth, he disavows any intention to
take possession of the money or pro-
perty of the War Office, and again
insists, by argument, illustration and
precedent, that he acted in Consti-
tutional manner. Answering the
ninth article, he quotes the inter
view at length, and his protest
against the rider to the army appro-
priation bill, in which he claimed, as
he still claims, that itadeprived him
of his Constitutional duty of COM
manding the army. Answer to. the
tenth article-the President denies
that the specifications give truth in
verbage statement, orin quoting from
his speeches, and in case tho Senate
entertain the charge, he demands a
full Investigation of what he said and
meant. In this answer, the Presi-
dent claims, in somewhat defiant
manner, his freedom Of speech;
he claims that, though President, he
is an American citizen. Answering
the eleventh article, he claims that
he ,capnot answer it, because it de-
signates no design, device or attempt
involving action which could be CON-
strned into u high misdemeanor.
The President retains the right to
add to this answer. The managers
announced their replication would be
ready tomorrow, at l O'Clock. The
Presidents counsel asked thirty days.
Two hours argument ensued, and.
thirty days were refused-61 to -
o strict party vote. A motion to
postpone fixing the time until after,
the replication by the House, failed.
johnson moved. allowing ten days as
amendatory to the motion from the
Presidents counsel for reasonable
time, but the Court and Senate ad-
journed.
In the House, bill was intro
dnced, appropriating money for the
improvement of the Mississippi
River. The House then proceeded
in committee of the whole to the
Senate. On their return, Bingham
informed the House that the Presi-
dents answer had been anticipated,
and that the management were ready.
On motion, the .Honse meets at IL
tomorrow, to consider the replication,
Adjourned.