The New York herald., 1868-02-22
General Lorenzo Thomas Appointed
Secretary Ad Interim.
Intense Excitement In Both
Houses of Congress.
Proposed Impeachment Of tho Presi-
dent Forthwith.
Tho President's Views Of the
Situation.
THE REMOVAL OF SECRETARY STANTON.

THE REMOVAL OF SECRETARY STANTON.
-~-~~~~~->~~~-~~~~-~
WAsHINGroN Feb. 2l, 1868,
III O'Clock p. nj.
The President removed Secretary Stanton from
tho War Department to-day, and placed Adjntant
General Lorenzo Thomas, who has recently been
restored to his old position under Stanton. in pos.
session Of the department. The following ia the
order Of the President
EXECUTIVE NAsm0S.l
WAsHN0roH CIrr, Feb n. 1858. !
SR--By virtue Of tho power and authority vested in
President BY the constitution and laws Of the
United States you arc hereby removed from office a.
Secretary for the Department Of War and your functions
such will terminate cpon the receipt Of this commu.
nicatien.
You vii transfer TO Brevet Major General Lorenzo
Thonas, Adju.ant General OF the Army who has this
day been authorized aud empowered Secretary
II War ad inim all records books papers, and other
pablo property now In your custody and charge
Bespsctfully yours ANDREW JOHNSON.
70 The Hon. EDWIN II STANTON, Washington, D. @.
"A few minutes before two O'Clock this afternoon
Colonel Moore, the Presidents acting Private Sec
ttary, brought several sealed messages to the
Senate. It was soon ascertained that they were
Of an executive character, number Of Senator,
after the documents reached the desk Of the rra-
siding officer Of the Senate. having hurried t. tna;
place TO learn their contents, which evidently &C.
casioned much surprise among them.
Mr.. Conkling had the door, and was delivering
~ al kIn rsS~ ~uFrn
etruction, to which tho Senate listened with evi-
dent impatienoe after the intrusion Of this start
ling intelligence from the other end Of the avenue.
Conkiing was made to understand that some thing
serious was on the tapis, and was readily induced
20 give way to 60 into executive session.
Mr.. Chandler, who was first to open the en-.
velope containing the nominations, saw the names
and began to realize tho situation. He dropped
the documents and hurried over rapidly to Ram.
sey, Howard and Sumner, who gave him kind OF
incredulous look and then went up to the Presi-
dents desk to ascertain the truth for themselves.
Very soon the curiosity became contagious and
old BEN Wade was almost lost In the crowd Of
Senators who gathered around his desk to catch
glimpse Of what may perhaps prove the most
important document that has entered the Senate
Chamber this session ct least.
The information was soon conveyed to other
Senators, who, in undertones, earnestly conversed
on this matter Of discovery. A number Of mem
bers Of the House Of Representatives, who we're
present in the Chamber at the time, hastily re-
paired to their own side Of the Capitol aud there
repeated the fact that the President had sent to
Tho Senate Q message that had removed
Mr.. Stanton and appointed General Lorenzo
Thomas Secretary OF War ad interim. Thus
within few minutes this act of the President was
known in every part Of the Capitol, producing
much excitement. The fact that Major General
George II. Thomas had been nominated for two
brevets, Lieutenant General aud General, seemed
TO intensity the interest in the former proceeding
and produced speculations and inquiries to what
this mark of favor by the President really meant.
There was at first q rumor that the last named
Thomas had been appointed Secretary Gd interim,
but this was owing to tho confusion Of the two
names.
Senators Thayer, Cameron, Chandler and Cattsll
Immediately drove to the War Department aud
obtained an interview with Secretary Stanton.
They expressed TO him the desire that he would
not surrender his post In obedience to the order
Of the President until the Senate should act
upon the matter, and Mr.. Stanton indicated
. compliance with their wish. II is not,
therefore, true, reported this evening. that Mr..
Stanton made no objection to Adjutsnt General
Thomas entering upon the duties of Secretary OF
War. II Is true. however, that General Thomas
showed TO Mr.. Stanton his order Of appointment
from the Presidents and to this the General received
respectful but not satisfactory reply.
Tho Senators above named, after leaving Mr..
Stanton, had an interview with General Grant, re-
lating TO him their conversation with Mr.. Stanton
and suggesting their views as to what his conduct
ahould be In the premises.
The debate on Stanton's removal In executive
session during the first three hours was confined
70 the democratic side OF the House. Mr.. Bayard
spoke at great length, reviewing the Tenure Of
Office bill, and contending that IL encroacted on
the prerogstives Of the President. He was fol.
lowed by Messrs. Dixon, Hendricks and Buckalew.
Mr.. Howe replied to these arguments, and main.
tanned the consttusionality Of the law. Mr.. Sam.
ner follwed on the same side. The matter Of
removal was fully discussed. and with much spirit
in the secret session, which lasted seven hours.
Senator Edmunds offered a resolution, for vhict
Senator Wilson moved a substitute as follows:
whereas tho Senate have received and considered
the compunosuou OF The Prcsideas saBg tba, he hac