Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-04-01
THE EVENING STAR
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.
PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY.
The Casting Vote Of the Chief Justice
..- '---- Yesterday.
dr. Sumner Moves TO Declare il Withspt
Warrant under the Consultations.
The Melton il Rejected.
The Obi. ction to Hon. Walter Bnrieigh..
Testimony Argued.

mencement of the proceedings. The Diplo
matte gallery, as On yesterday, was nearly
empty The Attendance Of members of ths
House was small, especially on the Democratic
side, many of the Representatives OF that party
having gone home. Among the spectators on
the floor was Postmaster General Randall
The proceedings were opened with prayer by
Rev. ]. Van Koon.
Some stir was created by the resolution of.
fered by Mr.. Sumner, declaring the casting
vote given by the Chief Justice was without
warrant under the constitution. There was a
careful scanning of the vote as II was aiken,
but it was soon evident from the number OF
''noes" given on the Republican side of the
chamber that the resolution was lost, and in
footing up it stood ayes 81, roes 27.
The question then came up on the objec ton
to the evidence of Hon. Walter Burleigh, DEL
egate from Dakota. Senator Frelinehuyseu
sent up written interrogatory-" Do the Man
ayers intend to connect the conversation Of the
witness Burleigh with General Thomas; also,
with the President?" Gen. Butler, on the part
Of the Managers, replied that they did
MI. Stanbery, (who to-day has changed his
position TO the foot Of the table and facing the
mem oers of the Senate,) proceeded to argue a,
length against the admission of the evidence
He urged that Gen. Thomas was not on trial.
and that the President was not supposed TO
have been present at the conversation H.
read the commission Of the President to Gene
raj Ihomas, and contended that it did not pre-.
sent any evidence that General Thomas was
directed to use force. General T. was merely
g agent Of pr ncipal. Mr.. s. proceeded at
length, and the argument involving dry legal
points not particularly interesting to the lady
spectators, they availed themselves of the op-
portunity to bring out their brgnettes, and dis.
cuss who was who, and how dressed
The entrance Of Mr.. Thomton the British
Minister, III the diplomatic gallery, diverted the
glasses in that direction. He was decided by
the ladies to be quiet and gentlemanly, but not
good-looking in the least. ami much too old to
b, interesting
Gen. Butler replied to Nj. Stanbery. taking
The precaution to have open space cleared for
Linn in front Of the Managers table, to give
him freedom of action and to afford him access
to rather formidable array of law books ar
ranged on the table He eontended that the
evidence was designed to show the purpose
OF 'he President TO take possession of the
War Office by force, conspiring with General
Thomas TO do an unlawful act. Under article
9TH of the articles of impeachment and article
5th, alleging conspiracy, this evidence should
come In. The witness (Burieigh) was friend
-,
it was p opposed to show that it was the object
Of the Presiient to get a member of Congress to
aid and abet him IN taking possession Of the
War department.
During Mr.. Buffers argument, in which he
had occasion to refer almost continually to
General Thomas, that officer, dressed in full
uniform, was seen standing at a door Of the
spectators gallery, but he did not enter the
chamber. The understanding is that General
Thomas is TO be examined Today as a witness
by the prosecution, and Geaeral Butler being
the questoner, the examination is expected to
be a rather pig uant affair.
During the prolonged discussion upon the
admissability OF the evidence of Burleigh, the
specials" Of the Reporters gallery thinking
their respective papers would not suffer from a
slight gap in the run Of telegraphic copy, set to
work to properly celebratethe day-April lst-
and in the course of an holr a great many dis.
unguished personages present in the Senate
Chamber were completely mystified, sold and
done for by the receipt Of all sorts Of messages,
some purrorting 10 come from ladies in the
galleries, which, being answered in person by
the gallant distinguished personages in ques-
ton, created some snickering on the part of the
mischieyous (male) writer's.
Mr.. Curtis, of the Pres sident's counsel an
swered Gen. Butler at length
AT p. m, the counsel were still pegging
away, pro and con upon the question Of the
admssability of the evidence of Burleigh.
The galleries thought it good time to take a
lunch, and oranges, apples, sand witches, and
all sorts OF portable edibles were produced and
munched; the jaws Of the spectators above
moving In GLIB emulation with the jaws of the
counsel below.
MI. Bingham, of the Managers, succeeded
Judge Curtis, and at quarter to 3 p. m. the
question was taken on the admissability of the
evidence Of Mr.. Burleigh, resulting ayes g,
noes IL
Mr.. Burleigh was then called to the stand,
and testified that on the evening on the 2lst
Of February, he was at the house of General
Thomas. He found Gen. T. preparing to 90
out with his daughters to some party
Witness asked him if il was true that he
had been appointed Secretary OF War,
and he said it was. He (Gen. IT, recited what
had transpired between himself and Secretary
Stanton at the War office that day, and said
that Mr.. Stanton asked him if he could
have time to remove his effects, and
he General IT, had answered certainly
General Thomas told witness that he intended
to 60 UP to the War Office at 10 o'clock the next
morning, to take possession. Thinks Gen. T.
said something about having already issued
some orders as Secretary OF War in regard to
observance Of the next day, the 22d of Februar
Gen. Thomas in vited witness to come up and
see him at the Secretary's rooms at the War
Department at 10 o'clock the next morn
ing. Witness inquired what he would
do In case Mr.. stanton objected TO.
his taking possession. General Thomas re.
piled that he would take possession by force.
Witness asked him what he would do If MIR.
Stanton barred the doors against hlm. Thomas
replied that he would break them down.
Gen. B tler.-what was his purpose In in.
viting you to be present at the War Depart.
mentl saisaass ssss1- it.i .l'- 81. 1Igi E.sft
Witness.-I suppose to witness the perform-
ance. 49,. 'f 90
General Butler.-Did yon see Gen. Thomas
at the Adyutant Generals Office during the
week prior 10 his attempting to assume the Of
fee OF Secretary Of War al iaterimt
Witness. did several times. s-4,t 81
The counsel for the President here inquired
what was propbsed to be ELECTED in this con.
nectiou. rsff ~ sffE1E aus 81 tE.sci 1syaeas.s
General Butler.-We propose to show that
after 0ensrsf Thomas had been restored 10 the
Adiutant Generals Once, he had endeav.
ored 70 ss<1ucs the officers OF the arnv
from their Allegiance by promises Of what he
would DO for them, - Absalom Attempted to
seduce the shiIdren Of lsraei by similar prorn.
ises. when n sAoaId come into power. fIAagh-
-