Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-04-02


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partnsnt and demanded possession, and
that Stanton asked him II he would give
b M time to remov his papers. Wit
ness said he understood Gen. Thomas to
say that he had aIrsady issued orders as
Secretary of War, and also that he in
tended TO take possession at 10 O'Clock.
Ia reply to inquiries by witness, Gen.
/ Thomas said he would uso force 10 OBJ
tain possession If ii was refused him.
Butler, Odd you have any conversa-
ton with Gen. Thomas while he was
acting rs A0jutant Gsnersl2p
Evarts inquired what date the ques-
ton applied 70.
Butler said his appointment to that
office was made the week before he at
tempted to gain possession of the War
Department.
Egarts then asked what was the pur-
pose OF the testimony.
Butler said it was to show that Thomas
has attempted to reduce his brother
officers from their duty, Just as Absalom
had sat at the gates and tried to draw
Off the people from their allegiance to
King David.
Evarts-"Do You intend to put Absa-
lom into your question? ?"
Butler-"No! I used him as an illus
tration." lLaughter.]
After q recess of fifteen minutes, But
Ter read the questions which he proposed
to put to the witness, viz: As To
what he had heard Thomas sey To the
clerks of the War Office during the week
prior to February Dist.
Evarts objected on the ground Of
irreYaleney.
Butler mads a short reply, and Evarts
rejoined, denying that the ruling which
permitted the Introduction OF the dec
l~arstion made subsequent TO the 2lst of
February, allowed the presentation Of a
declaration made previous TO that time,
and said there had been no proof sd-
duced in support Of the assertions and
villifyiDg remarks made about Gen.
Thomas, and that they were uncalled for,
certainly at the present time.
Bingham argued briefly in reply, and
cited authorities In support of the POSI-
ton Of the managers.
The Chief Justice ruled that the ques-
ton could not be pat, no evidence having
been offered in proof OF s Conspiracy be-
fore February 21st. The question was
then submitted to the Senate, and
resulted, yeas ., nays p, and the
question was put. The witness said that
I 4C nE[LA 4AOAls mdhH al hAthLG11 " q
number Of clerks in the War Office,
about a week Or ten days prior to Feb
rusry Dist, in which he said he intended
to relax the hsrsh and arbitrary rules
made b. his predecessor, and regarding
the clerks as gentlemen, said they could
20 out aud come in when they pleased, il
they were absent only a reasonable time.
Butler asked if Stanton had Rcknowl-
edged that the testimony given by the
witness before the Hsuse Committee was
true.
The question being objected TO, was
Withdrawn.
Butler then asked If Gen. Thomas
had, since February 2lst, ressserted
any portion OF his conversation
with him (Burleigh( in regard to
breaking the doors of the War Depart
ment was objected 70 by Eearts, as were
also several notifications of the ques-
ton, which was finally put rs follows
Have you had any conversation with
Gen. Thomas since the first one, and
since his appointment as Secretary Of
War ad interim wherein he said any
thing about using force in getting into
the War Office, or in any other way re-
asserting his former conversation, aud,
il so, what he said?
NflAA1EE5 LEDA4Ga LAnI nE AHtA LEACN
Gen. ThOmss last week, why the PER
f0rmanee promised, had not conn 0H?
And he Wered that is wss because be
had been arrested by the Marshal early
in the evening, otherwise he would have
beaten in the doors, etc. On q
cross-examinAtion by Mr.. StanbeTY
the witness sais he went to the War
Office on business with Adjut8nt Gene
raj Thomas, who made some address to
each Of the four or Eve clerks Is they
| came into the Office, to the effect that he
would not hold them to = strict accouu-
liability about coming TO work at pre-
ciseiy 9 o'clock, but that on resuming his
position as Adiutsnt General he was dis
posed to relax somewhat, and revise the
rules made by bis predecessor, aud be
should Of course expect q faithful per-
Torrance Of their duties. He spoke only
to the employees of his own department.
Samuel Wilkinson was then called.
He testified tha5 he had known Gen.
Thomas six or seven years, and had q
conversation with him on the afternoon
2lst, al the War Department.,
in which Thomas said that since The
affair had become public, ne felt free to
talk shout it without reserve. He stated
that he had demanded possession Of the
W al OluIEf a-u oaaAA0A AiLA AoAtu -
time could be allowed him to remove
his papers, which he (Thomas) had
granted; he expressed to witness his
intention to demand possession on Mon
day following, and would, if NECESSARY,
call on the General Of the Army for a.
s~istsBce, which he thought could not be
refused az Wizards Hotel, that even,
ing, he reiterated the same intentions.
except that he would carry them into
effect next Monday; be seemed to mean
what he ssid.
Cross-examined by Evarts: Is con-
neeted with the press. Thomas
told him on Friday that he hsd
issued an order to close the de-
pSrtraent on Saturday, Witness did
not know whether 1t was issued as Adiu-
tsnt General or Secretary OF War; on
direct examination, said he had heard
Gen. Thomas say that he claimsd to be
Secretary of War.
Geo, ". C~arssneF testified that he had
known Gen. Thomas many wears, saw
him at the levee of the President On the
9th inst, and said to him 81 General.
the eyes Of Delaware are upon you, and
the people ask you 10 stand firm He
replied he " intended to, and that in q
short time he would kick that fellow
suit" BE did not say who 1t was he iu-
tended TO kick out, bat witness inferred il
was Mr., Stanton.
Cross-exGDiRsd by Mr.. Stsnbery:
Saw Gen. TdOm.s before the last timein
New Castle, Del did not speak with
him then DO not remember when or ]
where l ever spoke with him before did
not come from Delaware to see Thomas.
but when Ia the Esst room felt q desire
TO see him and the rest OF the Cabinet.
and being from the same State, wished
to pay his respects to him Gen. Thomas
was pointed cut to him by Mr.. Tanner
snd he introduced himself; the idea of
"a kicking out" did not come from wit
ness did not say whether he approved o.
the line Of conduct which Thomas smoke
Of taking; witness communicated this
conversation to Mr.. Tanner that night.
and 20 several the next day. Among
was q Mr., Smith, from Delaware.
name was not John, but William,
and he came from the Braudywine wit
ness wa sumrsoned before the Commit
zee about the 18Th directly after his ex-
animation cav Nj. Thomas in the Con-
room.
Butler asked, ''Gid Gen. Thomas there
lp0n admit what you had sworn vas
rue 2' which was o6jected TO and sus.
The Court adjourned at ten minutes
1ast i've, the Senate going into ezecu-
i've session.