The New York herald., 1868-05-28
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS
A Counter Investigation Into the
Impeachment Corruptions Or
sa2 dered by the Senate.
SENATOR ROSS DEFENDS HIS COURSE.
Important Bill for the Promotion OF
American Commerce.
a.sl,tr N. h. 1.-l-l WASHINGTON, May 27, 1868.
Very Muddled Condition Of the War Depart-
, rr, tr,s-s7 ment Question.

sassg,-r s.-. 4. 1s WASHINGTON, May 27, 1868.
Very MuddIed Condition Of the War Depart
r. rrftr,s.s7 ment Question. s
The acquittal OF the President does not appear to
clarity the muddled condition of War Department
aairs In the least, and there s probably person
In the federal capital tonight who thoroughly un
derstands the exact status of this exceedingly COM
Plicated question, except Mr.. Stanton himself He
has had ample time to turn the different possible
issues OF impeachment over in his mind and
to take an abundance Of counsel with
his friends within the past month, and
doubtless had his mode of procedure, In view
OF any event, all "cut and dried.n From the mo-
ment the High Court OF Impeachment adjourned
yesterday sine die until the shades of evening fell
The War Department conclave, composed Of the old
intriguers, with one exception General o. o. How
ard who was absent In Philadelphia), was In vigor
Gus operation, and when the council adjourned the
result was developed in the curious letter Of with
drawal from the scene OF strife Of the great mped
ment, Mr. Stanton This letter went to the President
and its author went home 1t was fully expected
that the hour for the commencement OF departmental
business would witness the triumphal entry Of .'ad
1nteTtn' Thomas and general settlement of old
scores. Sure enough, General Thomas did appear,
radiant with success and in highly COM
PLEASANT mood. After a long interview with
forth with doubtful step and clouded
brow. Matters were evidently not working smoothly
The remainder Of the morning was spent by this
good natured ofncer, on whose shoulders had been
thrown mantle Of authority much too large for him
ID every way, by making regular trips between the
White House and the War Department.; but 1t
seemed that the more he inquired and investigated
ne less he understood who he was and what
he was to do The question tn bis mind
rested on these points:-He was Secretary
sof War ad Interim, OF which the well worn
letter he had in his pocket was the proof; stanton
calms still TO be Secretary Of War, but has notified
sne PRESIDENT that he has retired from the War De-
partment ana left Townsend IN possession. General
Townsend s willing to give Thomas instant posses
sion on the production Of an order from the Presi
dent The President tells Thomas he needs no other
authority than his original letter. From all Of which
he seems to have made the following deduc-
tions:--Stanton has resigned, but his resignation
10 no resignation; Stanton, then, Is Secretary Of
War with no control over the War Department.
Tnouas is Secretary Of War ad Interim, with no au
thority In the War Department; General Townsend is
willing to give Thomas charge Of tho department
and yet does not do It; the PRESIDENT authorizes
Thomas TO take charge OF the War Department, but
concludes tnat he win not disturb General
Townsend in his vast responsibility. He
y not exactly clear In relation to this
sudden movement of Stanton. The latter must
continue to regard himself as Secretary Of
War inasmuch az he has not resigned that ONCE, but
has only Withdrawn from the control Of the depat-
nent This looks to him as thouganother little gae
b in operation to remove that strong point made by
the counsel for the defence in the impeach-
tnent trial. that although the President had
Issued an order Of removal, the removal oil
stanton was not effected. He means 70 be especially
wary this time and do his best to avoid getting the
President into any more difncuities. From present
appearances the war Department win not change
hands again until II is placed In charge Of the ind
viduai who may be confirmed By the Senate as Sec
retary Of War.
Ths Neninatisn Of General schoneld Not Yet
The Senate at two O'Clock to-day went into ex
ecuttve session for the purpose Of acting on the
nonination of General schoneld, sent In some time
ego as Secretary Of War. After the doors were
closed and the question brought up Mr. Cameron
objected TO its present confederation and II went
over under the rules IL is said there is no doubt
about the confirmation Of General schoheld and is
sA0ught this win be done tomorrow.
Runers OF Cabinet Changes. [
The recent rumors in regard TO Cabinet changes
are founded on something more substantial than
day from strictly reliable source that Postmaster
General Randall has requested the President to
accept his resignation, which has been for some
weeks at the Presidents disposal, together with
those Of other members Of the Cabinet, and the
President has intimated to Mr.. Randall his willing
to accept his resignation, to take erect within
very few days. IL has been the intention OF Mr.
Randall TO resign his ONCE for some time past, but
ne was unwilling to retire from Mr. Johnson's Cabl-
net during the impeachment trial lest his motives
should be misconstrued. sra
l Visitors TO the President.
large number of visitors called at the White
House this morning, many Of whom simply came to
pay their respects to the President.
Nlr. wooley still Under Arrest-He Refuses
to Answer the Manasers Question.
Mr.. Charles W. wooley, the only state prisoner
OF present in the custody OF the government Is
still imprisoned in the committee room OF the
House Committee on Foreign Anars. He seems
TO take his deprivation OF liberty quite phosophI-
caliy. Last night he says he slept better than he
had for some time. On the whole he is well salts.
fed with his quarters and II he is not subjected to
any more severe punishment 1t Is scarcely probable
that Butler viii be able to get further Information
out Of him respecting the whiskey ring the gold
ring, the impeachment ring and Thurlow Weed.
This morning wooley signined to Sergeant Arms
Ordway that he ready TO go before the Managers
and answer any proper question that might be put to
him. He was accordingly brought before them,
whereupon Butler put the old question TO him, to
what he did with the twenty thousand dollars hither-
TO unaccouned for wooley said he could not answer
that as he did not think 1t proper question Butler
told him II was use to proceed with the examna-
tion I'LL that question was answered. He therefore
told Ordway to lock wooley up again. m
n x-secretary Hsrlau'e Late Land Transaction.
Az suspicious and singular transaction Just now
occspies the attention Of Congress and the lobby.
II appears that Mr.. Harlan, while Secretary Of the
Interior scld eight hundred thousand acres OF Kan
sss land TO the American Emiarant Company Of Con.
necticut The price at which the land was sold is
thought 10 be at Sast half million dollars under its
sAa value and the gniied States Attorney General