The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-27
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
TALK OF THE IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE ROOM
THAD. STEVENS AND BIS COLLEAGUES-THE
PRESIDENTS RESIGNATION.

TALK OF THE IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE Room
THAD. STEVENS AND BIS coILEAGUEs-THE
PRESIDENTS RESIGNATION.
s'Mack," the Washington correspondent of
the Cincinnati Commercial, writes under date
Of the 10th inst:
The writer of this was summoned to appear
before the managers few days ago, and doing
so, found Mr.. Stevens sitting in chair, with
his feet resting on sofa, displaying proml-
nently his left club foot with bis deep-set
eyes closed, and his hands clasped across his
high forehead, while his dark brown wig was
pushed back, displaying few but scattered
gray hairs.
He seemed in meditative mood, and it
certainly occasioned surprise when. looking at
his pale, calm and almost lfeless features, to
know how he endured the great fatigue Of all
his labors.
Butler stood with his back to the fire, read
ing manuscript paper, but now and then puff
ing vigorously at cigar.
At one end of the table was Boutwell,, and at
the other Wilson, each plodding over law
book bearing upon the impeachment question;
while Williams and Bingham were as equally
absorbed on each side Of the table.
For ten minutes not word had been
spoken, and during that time Stevens retained
buc 6dLu0 POr4tkOus WHICH,, uhCAPSSb0N4J3 oho
without opening his eyes, he said: "What do
you think of Chase's letter to the Senate 2"
The words came slowly but distinctly, as If
we'll weighed before uttered. AS the question
was addressed to no one in particular, it was
not answered. A minute elapsed, and then
came the words: "Wilson, what do you think
of Chases letter to the Senator"
Wilson looked up from his book, and glanc-
ing toward Butler, answered, Nothing more
otofnponnf fn hic aaIf.ITuT1or-
tance !" and then quietly resumed his reading.
Butler raised his eyes, and fixed them upon
Stevens, as the latter said, without changing
his position, "Pve always considered Chase
id political trickster. During the early part
Of the year 1861, had two and half hours
conversation with him, and he then urged me
to advocate that it would be best to allow the
Southern States to leave the Union, and to &C
knowledge their independence. That satisfied
me, and tell you he can't be trusted, and it
would be better for Us not to put any faith in
him."
This much said, Stevens ceased, but it SEEM
ed to break the quiet spell, and the other men,
bers took up the subject, portion Of them
agreeing, substantially, to the opinion express
ed by Mr.. Stevens, while part remained reti-
cent. It is not generally known that MIR. Ste
some of the largest iron works in Pennsylva-
mia; but during the war he Suffered severely,
during the raid the rebels made in that State,
they destroyed much Of his property.
The opinion gains ground that If the coun-
sci Of the President cannot obtain an extension
of time to prepare his case, that they will urge
upon him the propriety OF rendering his resig-
nation.
Members of the board of managers believe
that this plan will be resorted to By the Presi-
dent, and they say that by such a course the
trial will then cease, and the President will
thereby escape the penalty which is sure to
follow upon his conviction-the disqualification
from ever being permitted to hold an Office OF
trust. There has been great difference OF
opinion as to whether the trial could go on IN
such case, Notwithstanding the President had
resigned, aud being desirous Of knowing what
view the board Of managers took OF this CUES
tion, complicated as it Is, had, yesterday, q
somewhat protracted interview with Messrs
Bingham and Wilson, during which the sub
iect was discussed in all It's bearings. II shall
insist" says Mr.. Bingham, ''if the President
transmit his resignation to the Senate, proper
ly certified by the Secretary OF State, that the
board Of managers be at once instructed by the
House OF Representatives to discontinue all
proceedings against the President, and that
they be discharged from all further consldera-
ton Of the subject"
In this view Mr.. Wilson concurred, and they
both agreed that as, by Mr.. Johnson's resign
ing, there would be no President against whom
charges had been preferred, therefore, under
the constitution and laws, nothing could be
done in the case whatever but to dropit.
I attribute considerable importance to the
statement concerning the proposed reslgna-
ton Of the President, and think it ls not With
out good foundation.
A Few days ago, q lady teacher. in the city
here, who has among her pupils two little
daughters Of Mrs. Slower, who, 1t will be re-
membered, is daughter OF President john
son, requested each of her pupils to ascertain
at home whether they would continue in her
school the next quarter, which commences
again in couple Of weeks. The little Misses
Slower returned the next day, and promptly
told the lady that they were not coming to
school any more. When questioned as to the
reason they, with child-Ike simplicity, said:
"Grandpa says we are going to move back to
Tennessee in April"
Here, then, in these few words, are, think,
to be found the solution Of the question as to
whether the President himself believes that
his removal is certain. -.
The signs are unmistakable il the political
atmosphere, that the President will not press
to q vote in the Senate, but see
ing that his removal is a foregone conclusion,
Will by his resignation, save himself from be-
ing disqualified from ever holding Office again.
JUDGE BLACK AT QUITS WILLIE An1 nO1AA'N'A"
TIoN-THE ALTO vELA ISLAND CASt-1AlfEAch-
MENT TESTIMONY, ETC.
The Washington correspondent OF the Balti-
more Sun writes on the 23d inst:
Judge Black did not appear as one OF the
Presidents counsel to-day, and it is reported
that he has declined to take part in the defence
because the administration refuses to accede TO
his request to order vessel OF war to proceed
~ tho q and 0f Alt0 V6lA. IL
appears o citizen Of Baltimore, who is q client
OF Judge Black, claimed to be the owner OF
Alta Vela by discovery. While this client was
in possession, the Dominican government,
which also claims to own the island, directed
it's officers to dispossess Mr.. Blacks client,
and nut another American citizen In posses
sion, under an alleged sale OF the Island 10 tne
latter. It therefore becomes question OF
right of property between two parties VINO are are
citizens of this country. The whole SUBJECT
is now before Congress, under resolution
of the Senate calling upon Secretary
Seward for copies Of all papers in tn the
cose ON file in the State Department. Inc
administration holds that by the terms OF
The act under which Mr.. Blacks client CLAIMS
the island, the matter is within the lurlsdlftl0n
and control of Congress, and therefore tne
President can make no order IN the premises
Neyertheless, Judge Black insists that the Ex-
ecn,iye send an armed vessel to dispossess the
Dominican government Of the island. The
administration claims that such an act would
he equivalent to q declaration Of war and COM
meucement OF hostilitles against the Domini-
can government.
Generals Hancock and Gordon Granger were
before the impeachment managers this morn,
inp. and were questioned as to what transpired
between them and the President in recent in
terviews. The object OF the managers was to
discover what was the purpose of the executive
in calling these officers here, and what MIR.
johnson said to them of his plans for military