The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-04-01
! CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, March 81.
SENATE,


Managers and members Of the
House took their places; the
Presidents counsel also entered and
took their seats. The gallery was half
full.
Mr.. Wilson offered documentary evil
idence, including Senate resolution of
January -, an extract from the Senate
journal, showing the action of the Sem
ate, thereon copy of Stanton's commits
sion from President Lincoln, under
which only, Mr.. Wilson said, Stanton
claims to hold.
W.. Mcdonald was called, and at
tested to the notification OF the Presl-
dent of the action of Congress, and also
attested to the service of the resolution
of non-concurrence in the removal OF
Stanton by the President.
The House joint resolution relieving
the Quartermasters Department. from
the responsibility of the hospital tents
loaned to St. Louis, was referred to the
Military committee.
A resolution was adopted ipstructing
the Ways and Means committee to IN
ouire into the expediency Of amending
the revenue laws 81 w NhS
transfer of special licenses.
A resolution was adopted that the
Banking committee inquire into the
expediency OF reducing the tax impos-
ed on private banks.
Mr.. Lawrence introduced a bill au-
thorizing ship canal from Lake Erie
to the Ohio river. Referred.
A report of the Conference commit
tee on Manufacturers Tax Bill was
made, explained by Mr.. Schenck and
agreed to.
The House went into committee
and proceeded to the Senate. -
J. W. Jones, Deputy Marshal of the
Supreme Court, was sworn. He testified
that he had known General Lorenzo
Thomas for six years and he had served
upon him the summons of the District
Court on the 2lst of February about ii
o'clock at night and made the return
which vas read. The resolution of the
Senate that the President had no power
to remove Stanton was then read. T.. L.
Creery an appointment Clerk in the
Treasury Department, was sworn and
testified TO the form of the appointment
used in the department prior to March
1867.
The Senators complained of not hear
ing, and Mr.. Butler offered to repeat
what he said, but Mr.. Evarts said he
preferred to hear the witness himself.
Mr.. Stanberry inquired as to what
was the object of the testimony.
Mr.. Butler replied that it was to
show that after the passage of the ten
ure of Office act, the President signed q
different form of commission, made in
accordance with said act, thereby re-
cognizing its binding force and legality.
The witness testified to the changes
indicated, which were read by Secreta
nv Foruey. The words stricken out
were, during the pleasure of the Presi-
dent for the time being" The form OF
commission for treasury appoint
ments vas also produced, and the wit
ness testified to the striking out of the
same words above quoted and the sub
stitution in their place of the words
"unless this commission be sooner re-
voked by the President of the United
States for the time being"
The commission issued to Mr.. Cooper
by the Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury on November Goth, 1867, was pro-
duced.
Mr.. Batter, continuing to examine,
asked if it was then in session.
Witness said lie thought not, and i'll
answer 10 another question, said Mr..
Cooper did not qualify under that
commission but under another, which
was then read.
Du,l,r fl,.,, lla1 fNt. 4 a n Il ar
of the letter of authority given to Mr..
Cooper by the President on December
I'd.
Witness testified that Mr. Chandler
resigned, he thought, day or two be.
fore this letter.
Cross examined by Mr. Curtis.
The witness stated that the date
when the change in the form of the
commission was the 9th of March, 1867.
Mr.. Burt Van Horn, member of the
House of Representatives stated that
he was present ut the War Department
on Saturday, the 22d day of February,
1868, at 2 minutes past II o'clock, when
Lorenzo Thomas demanded of Stanton
the possession of the office of Secretary
of War. He testified that General
Thomas, after exchanging salutations
W 18th those present, said to Stanton,
81 am Secretary of War ad interim, ap-
pointed and authorized by the Presi-
dent to take possession of this Office"
Stanton ordered him to repair to his
room and perform his duties as Assist
ant Adjutant General, which he refus-
ed to do, saying that he intended to
exercise the functions of Secretary of
War. and would receive the mails of
would do so at his peril Thomas left
the room, and the witness last saw him
III the room of General Schriver.
On cross-examination by Mr.. Stan
berry, witnsss said he went there to pay a
visit to Mr.. Stanton, not Oh public bus
mess; was accompanied by Messrs.
Morehead and Clark: did not know
what their business was; did not state
what they went for; he was not in the
habit of taking memorandums of con-
versatiOus; was prepared by having a
large envelope in his pocket; no one re-
quested him to do it; was abOut min
ute after General Thomas left the room
that Mr.. Stanton followed him; before
he reached the room he heard con-
versation going on between StaEton
and Thomas; did not understand what
was said; did not know where the en-
velope was on which he took the men,
oranda; it was probably destroyed. He
said he went with Mr.. Stanton to Mr..
Schriver's room and was requested by
Mr.. Stanton to take notice of questions
he was about to ask General Thomas,
which was whether he intended to obey
his orders as Secretary of War. General
Thomas replied he did not; he also said
he intended to receive mails and &C
knowledged to witness he had said so.
Cross examined by Mr.. Stanbery-
Witness had been at the Department
half an hour before Thomas came; he
was not attended, nor was he armed, so
far rs witness could see; witness thought
there had been some conversation be-
tween Stanton and Thsmas in Schri-
ver's room before he entered; was of
a good-natured character, and he
thought there had been some joking be-
tween them.
Walter A. Burleigh, delegate from
Dakotah, was examined.
Mr.. Stanbery wanted to know the
object of this examination as to the