Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-04-03

letter ffom the President, in which refer
ence was made to certain explanatory docu-
ments, which, if not read "a part of the
communication, LEFT the letter without
point.
Mr.. Wilson said it was true the Presi-
dent had referred to certain Enclosures, but
they insisted that these references had
nothing TO do with it.
Mr.. Conkling sent a question to the
Chair, asking the counsel to read that pOr-
ton of the letter referring to the inelo-
sures.
Mr.. Stanbery read, and the Chief Justice
put the question whether the objection of
the counsel for the President was to be
sustained or not ?
Several Senators asked further, If the
objection were sustained the evidence would
be ruled out?
The Chief Justice replied in the affirma-
tive.
A vote was taken, resllting-ayes 20,
nays 90. So the objection was lost.
Mr.. Wilson produced the order of the
President appointing General Lorenzo
Thomas Secretary of War ad interim. The
order was read at the request of the coun-
sci for the respondent. The order adj
dressed to Mr.. Stanton removing him from
office was next read.
Mr. Butler said they had an official copy
of Order No. IL, of Gen. Emery. 1t was
admitted without objection.
Gen. Wallace and w. Z. Chandler also
testified, but revealed nothing favorable to
prosecution.
Gen. Wallace was called and sworn, and
testified that he was in command of the Di-
vision of Washington since last August !;
on the 22d of February he received note
from Col. Moore, Secretary of the Presi-
dent; he received it in the evening and
went the following morning to the Execu-
tive Mansion to see Col. Moore he wished
TO see him about a matter concerning him
self, as his name had been sent to the Sen
ate for brevet nomination, and he was to
tell him the result, which was that his
name had been set aside by the Senate he
asked how the President was, and Colonel
Moore said he was very well, and asked if
he wished to see him; he was soon after
admitted to the Presidents presence at his
own request the President asked him if
any changes had been made in the garrison
of Washington; he replied that four COM
panies had been sent to the second Mill
tary district.
Mr.. Butler: Did he ever send for you
before?
Mr.. Evarts objected, as the President
had not sent for witness, and the question
was, therefore, out of order.
Mr.. Butler, to witness Were you out
next morning? Were you not rejected by
the Senate? Witness | did not say re-
jected might have said rejected in the
testimony before the committee, but |
meant to say set aside.
Mr.. Butler: But why do you now change
your phraseology Witness: Well, sup.
pose l have perfect right to use whatever
phraseology suits me.
Mr.. Butler: Yes, you have the right /;
hut why did you say rejected
Mr.. Eyarts: He did not say rejected,
he said set aside.
Mr.. Butler, after a repetition of the ques-
ton, ceased further examination, and, on
motion of Mr. Drake, the court took re-
cess of ten minutes.
VIM. E. Chandler sworn and examined.
Mr.. Butler: I believe you were once As
sistant Secretary of the Treasury? Ans.
| was.
@. In the discharge of you duty, did you
learn the routine by which money was
drawn from the Treasury Department? A.
| did
Q. VIII you state how money was drawn
for the use of the War Department A.
The Second Comptroller has charge of the
Naval and War Department accounts. The
witness then explained the usual routine.
Q. Is there any method by which the
President of the United States can get
money for the use of the War Department,
except through requisition from the
Secretary of War? A. | believe not.
Q. What is the form of granting a com
mission A. A commission is prepared
and signed by the Secretary, and then
transmitted to the President, who signs it
and sends it back to the Department, when,
ifhe is bonded officer, it is also signed by
the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr.. Stanbery asked the grounds upon
which the manager asked the question.
Mr.. Butler replied that he wished to
know whether witness thinks the President
has power to appoint his Private Secretary
as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr.. Eyarts objected to read the article
upon which he based his objection.
Mr.. Butler said the President had de-
termined to get possession of the War De-
partment. and that he appointed General
Thomas for that very purpose, and APP
pointed Gen. Cooper to the Treasury De-
partment to overcome any financial en-
barrassment that might arise under the
appointment Of Gen. Thomas.
Mr.. Stanbery objected-that the appoint
ment of Gen. Cooper had nothing to do
with the case. Clearly the managers have
no authority to make case of high crime
and misdemeauor out of this appointment,
because they came here with delegated
authority to make good charges framed by
the House, and not to manufacture charges.
They have no right to amend the articles
they must go to the House for that right,
and then give us time to answer.
Mr.. Butler said, in order that there m az
be distinct proposition before the Senate,
we offer to prove that there was no vacancy
in the office Of Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury, and that the President unlaw-
fully appointed his friend and heretofore
Private Secretary, Edmund Cooper, to that
position, as one of the means TO defeat the
tenure of office act and other laws of Con-
gress.
Mr.. Evarts objected
Chief Justice said he would submit the
question to the Senate, and a vote was
taken, resulting %, nays q so the
testimony was not permitted to be offered.
Chas A. Tucker, sworn and testified
Was in charge of the Western Union Tel
egraph at Washington, and formerly had
charge OF the telegraph Office in the War
Department; identified the copy Of the
Dispatch from Lewis G. Parsons, of Mont
gomery, to President johnson and the re-
ply thereto as follows:
MONTGOMERY, Jan. II, lS67-His Ex-
cellency, Andrew johnson, President The
Legislature il in session. Efforts are be-
ing made to reconsider the vote on the con-
stitutional amendment. A report from
Washington says it is probable an enabling
act will pass. We do not know what to
believe.
[Signed LEWIS c. Parsons,
Exchange Hotel.
l.. 5. MILITARY TELEGRAPH, EXECU.
TIVE OFFICE, Washington, January II,
1867.-To Lewis G. Parsons, Montgomery,
Ala.-What possible good can be obtained
by reconsidering the constitutional amend
ment? | know none in the present pos