Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-04-11
Spirited Discussion between Messrs. But.
ler and Stanbery.
SATURDAY. aprillf

SATURDAY, April II.
SRNATE.-The Chair was vacated Immediate
ly after prayer.
The Chief Justice took the chair and directed
the Sergeant-a Arms to open the Court
The counsel for the President entered and
took their seats.
nonnced, and they came forward and took their
seats.
The House O. Representatives was then an
nounced, and came forward, eight in number.
The journal OF proceedings of yesterday ses-
sion OF the Court was read.
Mr.. Manager Bingham on the part of the
Managers asked for modification of the 2lst
rule so as TO allow such of the Managers and
the counsel for the President desire 10 speak
subject TO the provision that the final argu ment
shall be opened and closed on the part of the
House.
Senator Buckalew desired that the motion of
the Managers might go over for one day.
Senator Conkling and others.-No let US
vote II down now.
Senator Frelinghuysen would move that the
motion be now agreed to.
Senator Sherman moved that the rule be
modified so to allow three persons on a side
TO participate in the closing argument
The Chief Justice said the amendment of the
Senator from Ohio was Hot now in order.
The question was then announced ou the mo-
tion of Senator Frelnghuysen, to allow as
many OF the Managers and counsel as so de-
sired. TO speak on the closing argument
Senator Howard asked that the motion lie
over.
Senator ConkIng asked if il was in the
power OF single objection TO take the motion
over.
The Chief Justice said that it WAS and no.
titled the counsel for the President to proceed
Mr. Stanbery said Gen. Thomas desired to
make some correction in his testimony.
General Thomas was then put on the stand,
The letter he received from Secretary Stanton
on the 21st did not come into his possession
until aiter the second interview. He wished
also 10 correct the expression that the President
said - take possession of the Office" The Pres
ldent sad, "T9ke charge OF the Office lie
also desired TO correct the statement that he
heard Dr. Burleish's testimony. H heard A.
read. but did not hear it As il was given
By Mr. Butler If witness said toe Tresi-
dent said .take possession" lie sad what was
untrue. Had no memorandum OF the words
used by the President. Had thought over II
afterwards. Had difficulty after Ka-sen,r's
testimony vas given w kaTSeuer. !, VS.
IN saloon. Dad call kdr-euvr liar. May
have called MIN a IeTluTe.. used no violence
towards him. SIll means 80 claim 10 ac- a.
Secretary OF Wan. Never fld ma s,r Viii ..ps
that fellow (StantonE cat u i. SINKS tue SHIN.
Never made any such rsin-r.S 10 Il. -. B.
johnson or to any one else. IIad sJ,.s con-
yersation with Mr.. johnson 4 y K y yes
ttrGay.
Mr.. Butler.-Wore you joking.
Wimess--Ccl taiuly. L-IU-Ater7 Don't
know that he =. Id any thing 10 bIr. johnson t.
the effect hat We would have Mr.. Stanton out
II IL sinks the ship. Don't raColicct about l..
Mr.. Johnson could testify better as 10 tha,:
would prefer that he should be called.
Mr. Butler-Well, we Will tIy TO obi ge you.
not tragging. Johnson was a stranger to him.
but had a familiar talk with him. Had talked
about his testimony yesterday to several per-
sons; had talked TO his family about il. and
came here this morning and told the counsel
that he desired TO make correction Ci the testi-
mony. Had talked TO General Townsend about
IT, but 10 no one else. Did not receive the letter
from Mr.. Stanton until the 22d; was nothing
said on the 2lst TO General Townsend ABOUT not
obeying witness; don't think that there was
anything said TO General SChTINer about not
RppDrtpd ne fipp
10 the President. Was no conversation on the
2lst ABOUT General Townsend and General
SchrIyer not obeying witness.
MIR. Buter.-Well, when YOU told us all about
this conversation yesterday, il was not 50.
WIness.-lt was not so. [Laughter.l
BY 1Ir. Butler.-Did testify before ne Com
mittee of the House that the President laid
.sGo along, and take possession OF The Office
II II is there put down.
Mr.. Butler Nv as il trUP
Witness.-No. daughter When he was
called beiore the committee he requested them
To postpone the examination. so that he could
60 over the matter, so much had tran spirpd:
made the request to the committee twice: re-
quested that tie examination might be deferred
until the next morning. The request WAS N Z
refused, but II was not granted. Went there
afterwards TO correct his testimony but was
not allowed to do so. Believed there hal been
things put down that he did not saw. Went 10
the clerk of the committee: was informed that
could not correct the man rs Tipt, but could
make corrections in writing. Dont know that
he read the testimony all over. Wrote out the
d =
Butler. Did not make ia he TWO pages any
correction as 10 the language of tie President
'.to ia Ike possession"
Mr.. Stanbery read from The testimony Of
General Thomas in The cr0s--ca.1Ipin.i ion yes-
teIday, that after reporting the conversation
with Mr.. Stanton, The President SAID. 500 on,
and take posses sion," and asked ii Il was true.
Wltness.-Itis.
Lieut.. General sherman. svvorn.-Was in
Washington last winter. Arrive abCnt De-
cember 4; remained two months Came here as
. tarf he Tslf Do
other business al that time. Subsequently was
authorized as part Of board 10 reviss the
regulations Of the army. About tha middle Of
December had several IN terYiews with the Pres
ident two in company with General Grant
Mr.. Bingham objected, on The part o: the
Managers, TO the receiTing Of the declarations
OF the President before me acts for which he
was being tired were committed.
The Chief Justice sid NO question had yet
been asked.
Mr.. Stanbery.-Did the President ask you if
you would take charge OF the Departna OF
War in the event Of the removal OF M
Stanton
Mr.. Butler-we object TO that, and ask hat
IL be put in wriiDg.
Witness had int rvIsv7s with the President
the day after MI Stanton came back 10 Office
Gen. Grant was also present.
Mr.. Stanbery.-What did that interview re-
late to
Mr.. Butler Stop moment l object
Mr.. StanbeTy.-Wel did the interview rrla,e
TO the ocouI non of Ihe War department by
Mr.. Stanton?
Witness.-1t did.
q. What was the purport of the converse.
ton
Mr. Butler.-I object.
The question as then reduced 10 writing:
:. In that inter, Jew " nat was said about the
return of Mr.. stanton - tie War Depart
ment 2"
Mr. Butler Objected.
Witness stated the conversation took place on
Wednesday, January IL.
The Chiet Justice thought the question ad-
missable.
Senator Conness asked for the ayes and noes
on it,
Mr.. Stsnbery attempted 10 explain. the object
of the testimony. b.
Mr.. Butler objected to the explanation.
Mr.. StanbeIy said the defence looked upon
| the testimony of Gen. Sherman as vital 10 the
case, and that they entitled TO II by all the
rules Of evidence, and read from the arcument
Of Mr.. Butler, that the President had aItemnt.
| ed to bribe Lieut.. General sherman and from
the testimony which had been introduced 70
prove that the President had appointed Cooner
as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in The
fall Of 1s65, as part Of his design 10 get nos
| session of the War Once. The prosecution
had brought forward in evidence, 10 maintain
their charges, the declarations Of the defendant
| made at the time, and declarations as sought
to be shown by the defense were equally ad-
| mtssable, If declarations could be adduced 10
| show guilty intent, why could they not be ad-
| duced TO show innocent intentl Before the
| PreeideIt thOught of Thomas a n Ae tnok An 4,