The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-04-16
Vol. 20, No. 8


to allow impeachment for treason
bribes and other high crimes anc
misdemeahors, which other hiaf
crimes and misdemeanors must b,
equally grave offenses, and be often
sive against the United States. Th,
complaint made in the 10th article i.
that the President spoke disrespect.
fully of Congress. II should have
been said OF the dominant. majority
but the charge is brought forward In
an extraordinary way, for the Grand
Jury is ons body Of Congress. and
the triers constitute the other. The
spectacle is. however, that of Con.
! gress resolving itself into school ol
manners.
Mr.. Curtis passed very briefly
! upon the It'll, article characterisine
| il as compound Of the 10th. Closed
with areference 10 the nnprecedcn.
ted magnitude, and importance oi
the case. saying that there had not
been nor rneverconld another occasion
like this occur in the proceedings Of
this government, to prove the great
ness Of American justice or injustice
that justice which Burk says is the
crowning glory Of all civilization. or
that injustice which is sure TO return
to its authors.
The Senate at 2:l5 took recess
for ID minutes.
Gen Thomas WAS sworn and on
examination by Stanberry testified
to his rank IN the army and his ap-
pointment in service az Adj. Gen. &c.
Witness then stated that on the NOR
ming Of Feb. 22d, he received rotc
from the private sec'y Of tho Pacsi.
dent, asking him to come to the
White House. He went and the
President handed him some papers,
being letter to Stanton and his
own letter of authority: never saw
papers before; had no hand in prepar-
ing them. The President said to
him, | intend TO support the Consti-
tuition and laws and expect you to
do the same.
Witness went to the War Depart.
ment with Gen Williams and deman-
ded possession.
Stanton asked ii time would be
granted to remove his papers.
Gen Grant was present and heshow
ed him his appointment as sec'y od
interim.
Witness then retired to his room.
The same day he received letter
from Stanton forbidding his ssuing
any orders - sec'y of War ad inter.
i'm which letter witness proceeded to
read.
Stanberry asked what WAS said in
the conversation between you and
the President subsequently on same
dav
Butler objected and an argument
ensued between Butle,. Stanbcrrv.
Evarts, and Bingham.
The Chief Justice submitted the
question to the Senate, and yeas and
nays resulted ~ to 10 evidence
was admitted.
Witness stated to the President
that he had delivered the communi.
cation TO Stanton and told him what
answer had been made.
The President then said very well
go on take possession and obey the
orders. This was all that occurred,
Did not see the President again that
evening.
Next A. II. witness was arrested:
sent with the Marshall to the White
House and told the President he was
in custody, and on what charge. The
President replied. very well there Is
just were ! want it in court. Wi,
ness narrated the circumstances and
conversation which occurred after
he went to the War office same A. NJ.
by which it appears Stanton and he,
were playful together. and drank al
Stanton's request.
Stanberry asked il the Preilent
had ever directed him to use force to
obtain possession OF the War Depsrt>
ment.
Objection made. Argument by
Butler and Evarts.
Without division the Senate allow
ed thhe question to be put. and Thorn
as replied in the negative.
When questioned as to his con
vcrsation with Burleigh, he said he
never invited him to his Office: he
said to him or Wilkinson that he
would call on Gen Grant or kick the
doors down.
Knows nothing whatsoever about
Karsener supposes he may have
seen him 4 years ago; when he was
i'll at home, X, introduced himself as
an old acquaintance he made re. |
marks several times about Delaware
having her eyes upon him (Thomas);
Karsener then asked him when he !
was going to kick that fellow out, and
he adopted Karsener's words and said
he would do it in few days. New
er thought about kicking Stanton
out.
Cross Examined.-From March
1868 to Feb. 18th 1865, did not per-
form the Office duties Of Adjutant |
had no intimation until the |
18th Of Feb, that the President wish |
ed to make him Secretary of War, ad |
interim; swore BY mistake, to the |
when examided by the |
House committee, but corrected his /.
evidence afterwards he swore then |
that he had received an intimation to |
that effect about two weeks previous !
by q letter from Col. Moore told the |
President at the time of receiving
his appointment, that he would obey
orders did not expect to receive any
particular order; when he received
the note from Col Moore. Feb. LIST,
He did not know what the President
wanted him for after returning from
the War Department; did not tell
President that Stanton was not go
ing to give up the Office; or was such
witnesses opinion; did not show him
letter; did not think il nee
essary: what he said to Wilkison
about applying to Gen Grant was
only boasting; what he said to Bur-
leigh about breaking down the doors
he felt inclined to do so but changed
his mind on this point; before being
arrested dill not produce the change;
his intent to use force WAS inreverence
to Presidents order never express
ed to the President his belief he
could not obtain possession without