The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1868-02-29
FROM W.AsHINGTON.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON VIOLATES THE TEN
URE-0F-OfPICE BILL
He rs IMPE ACHED!
A Heck 0f (gge0f Errila.nealf

4 Week Of Great Excitement
Not since the close Of the late war have we had
such an exciting period as during the pas, week.
Great evenls have taken place. The President
OF the United States chose to wilfally disregard
law Of the land, and has been impeaehed for
high crimes aud misedemeanoFs' by the House
Of Representatives and will be Immediately put
upon his trial at the bar Of the United States
Senate. The whole country 10 painfully excited
over this state Of affairs, and the news from
Washington" Is now waited for with as intense
interest as when IL told OF terrible battles won or
lost. The daily papers, for several days, have
been filled with interesting details Of the impor-
tant events TRANSPORTING, and although we can
not, in our contracted space, give anything like
full report OF them, we will as clearly as posi-
BILE give our readers history Of the new trouble
which bad man has brought upon Us, taking
each day SEPARATELY.
As starting pOint, il will be remembered that
President Johnson some time ago removed Hon.
Edwin Stanton, Secretary Of War, and appoint.
ed Gen. Grant to act 10 his stead. There Is a
law providing that no Cabinet officer shall be
removed without the consent Of the Senate. Gen.
Grant assumed the duties Of the War Office, ai
inierim, and when th. Senate met President
johnson Communicated his action to that body
The Senate refused TO confirm the renewal Of Mr..
Stanton, and Gen. Grant Immediately surrender.
ed the Office to him, and bitter and acrimonious
correspondence between the General aud the
Presden, was the immediate result. Mr. Stan.
ton tooS possession Of the War Office, and was
quietly attending to It's duties, when on Friday
2lst instani, Mr.. johnson started the present en-
ei,ement. From here we will give succeeding
events in chronological order
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 81.
This morning the following order was issued
by President Johnson:
Executive MAxsfoS,
WASHINGTON, DC, February q, 'os.
SU-By virtue OF power and authority vested
in me as President BY the Constitution and laws
Of the United States, you are hereby removed
from Office a. Secretary Of the Department OF
War, and your functions rs such will terminate
upon the receipt Of this communication.
You will transfer 10 Brevet Major General Lo-
renzo Thomas, Adjuiant General Of the Army
who has this day been authorized and empowered
TO act as Secretary OF War ad interim, all records
books, papers, and other public property now
in your custody and charge.
Respectfully, yours;
ANDREW 1oHIsoN President.
To the Hon. E. n. Stanton, Washington, D. G.
This order was carried to Mr.. Stanton BY Gen
Thomas, and possession Of the Office and effects
demanded. Mr.. Stanton refused 10 yield and
ordered Gen. Thomas to bis own apartment as
Adjuiant General. The action OF the President
was Immediately communicated to Congress and
caused great excitement In both House. The
Senate Immediately passed resolution reci,ing
that under the Constitution and laws Of the
United States the President has no power 10
remove the Secretary Of War and designate
another officer to perform the duties Of that
office" Many members Of the Senate and
House waited on Mr.. Stanton Of the War Office.
strengthening him In bis position and urging
him to frmness.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20.
Secretary Stanton remained a, the War Office
all night, and the excitement 10 much increased.
Gen. Thomas again demanded possession Of the
War Office and was again refused admlttance. -
He was soon afterwards arrested, BY order Of
Judge Cartier, Of the Dis,ric, Court, for alleged
violation Of the following sections Of the tenure
of-oiIice bin
Section 8. ARd bel further enacted, That II
any person shall, contrary TO the provisions Of
this act, accept any appointment 10 or employ
ment In any Office, or shall hold or exercise, or
attempt 10 hold or exercise. any such Office or
employment. he shall Be deemed, and Il hereby
declared to be, guilty Of q high misdemeanor,
and, upon trial and conviction thereof, be shall
be punished therefor BY fine not exceeding ten
thousand dollars, or By imprisonment not ex-
ceeding Eve years, or both said punishmenis, In
the discretion Of the Court
Section Q. Aadbs Il further enacted, That every
removal, appointment, OF emPloymsnt made,
had, OF exercised, -ootraTy 10 the provisions Of
this act aud the making, signing, sealing, eoun-
tersigning, o. issuing ofany commission OF letter
u authority for or IN respen 20 any such APP
poiniment or employ men, shall be deemed, and
arr hereby declared 10 BE- high misdemeanors
aud, upon trial and conviction thereof every per.
son gaiity thereof shall BE- punished BY hne not
exceeding ten thousand dollars, or By lmprlson.
meni not excerdiug Eve years, or both said pun
ishmsn's, IN The disefeiion Of the Court.
Upon his arrest Gss. Thomas gave bail 10 the
sum Of 5000 to appear on Wednesday and an
swer the charge. Mr.. Stanton remains frm aud
announces his discrimination TO retain possession
f,he War Office ai all hazards. The House Of
Representatives took prompt action and instruct
ed he Reconstruction Committee 10 examine q.
once into the new state Of affairs aud TO report
line Of procedure for the House. An immense
crowd was at the Capitol, and great anxiety 10
know the result IVES manifested. About2 o'clock
10 the Afternoon, NJ. Stevens, Ctairman Of the
Reconstruction Commliiee, submitted lie report,
concluding with resolution that Andrsr JoAa-
'oH, PSssifsHi efAs Uaisd States. b. impsaeh-
81 Of high crimes sad misismssnors The rcso-
luton was discussedby Msssrs Stevens, spaldlng,
bingham aud Brooks. until 10 o'clock at night,
when n recess was taken until Monday moralng.
The exciimes, 10 Washington aad ell over the
country is very great. Dlsps,ches are pouring
into Washington from all over The country, urx.
Ing Congress and Mr.. Stanton 10 remain firm
Gen. Grant is an lull accurd with Congress and
NJ stanton, aud has issued In order SarAidaing
all eaSesTs sad soid.srs u iAs srsy grom ossv,ng
any order hsi does no, esas ilSssskkis hsaJLgHsr.
esrs
MONDAY. FEBRuARY "a.
w SFsaias " slill N possession Of The was
mice nof haulas. Ia A e.. 49,.