Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-04-24
Judge Curtis replied that the President

Judge Curtis replied that the President
acted under legal advice, namely that of his
Cabinet. The constitution did not forbid
the having Cabinet, and there had been
one since the formation of the government.
He said the validity of an act of Congress
was undoubtedly question of law. He was
not prepared to say the Senate was the pro-
per Judge of the law. He considered the
testimony most material 1t was important
to show by the members of the Presidents
Cabinet what passed between them and the
President in reference to the Tenure Of Office
bill.
Sen. Williams asked the counsel whether the
advice given by the members Of the Cabinet
to the President was sufficient to Justify him
in disregariing the law after its enactment.
Judge Curtis thought it tended to qualify
his Subsequent acts.
The Chief Justice then read the articles
charging evil intent, and expressed his opin
ion that the evidence offered was applicable
to those points.
The ye IS and nays were taken and 20 to
2g was the result So the decision Of the
Chief Justice was oyerruled and the evidence
was not admitted
Sec Wclles was then recalled.
Mr. Eyarts asked him if at the sessions of
the Cabinet prior to the veto of the civil ten
urc act. while the same was being discussed,
any conversation was had as to whether Mr..
Stanton was protected by the bill
Gen. Butler objected and an argument be-
tween HIM and Mr. Eyarts followed.
Mr.. Eyarts then announced that SO far as
bis colleagues and himself were concerned /
their proof was now closed Much Of it had
been entrusted to Mr. Stanbcrry, and in his
absence it was possible some might have been
omitted, and they would like to have permis-
sion to introduce it if that should prove to be
he case.
WHAT The KU K1rx KHAN Is.-The New |
York Herald has what processes to be an Of
fetal communication from some dignitary Of |
the Ku Klux Klan, setting forth the origin
ami purpose Of the Klan. from which it would |
appear that tie Organization numbers over !
seven hundred thousand members, and that it
Is spread over the whole country, from Maine
T., the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic
t. ,Le Pacific. Only white citizens of the
United States can become members, and radi-
c.Is, negroes and iuGdels cannot Themean-
IN. given 70 the term Ku Klux Klan Is a
....-..e of friends, which =. first organized IN
Giles county, Tenn, in August, 1866, and
was au absolute necessity. resulting from the
tyranny. domination and aggression of the
Br'wuiaw legislature.
The communication closes thus:
Until recently. however. the enemies Of the Ku
klux Khan possessed the Government and WELD
ei Its mighty powers. They possess it to-day,
lu- only .u name; not in reality. let the ty-
rants Ola mau-rel aud iufamOusly corrupt party
beware Your party is but shell. The cas-
De ofrlHeal-ul has been permeatei and under
uirei by the white ant of the ku kluI.
The Ku Klux Khan is, therefore, n secret po- /
U..al Organization. the result Of necessity. the /
-0-e object If which is to thwart radicalsm, ar /
rest negro domination in the South. negro equal /
ity In the North. Terpetu1te the Federal Union. I
and preserve the Constitution the fathers .
ua.tc it; and whoever asserts TO the contrary /
lr-.r fl-eho.l. That The ku kluA klau have /.
secrets unknown 90 the uu'uitiatet is not denied,
-. have the ancient oriers Of Free Masonry, Odd /
Fellowship. and other secret orders and -octies; /
0 d H. .--. Hf.