Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-22

Interim This Is the whole story.'
Correspondent; WAS this step dis
cassed in Cabinet council, Mr. Presi-
deutY'
President: mo, sir not precisely
A general policy was agreed upon some
time ago, aud the removal to-day
Ia in accordance Herewith. i
have just received copy Of
a resolution adopted by the Senate to-
night in Executive session" The Presi-
dent here added the resolution printed
elsewhere.
Correspondent: "What will the SEN
ate do, Mr. President, under that resolu'
ton, il you still insist upon having Gen.
Thomas as Secretary of War, ad IN
terimi'
President: ~ don't see that they
can do anything. The resolution
itself is the end of the matter
so far as the Senate is concerned, unless
the House presents articles CT impeach-
ment, and the Senate undertakes to try
the Executive, and resolves itself into
a High Court of Impeachment"
Correspondent: "Do you think Con-
gress really will attempt impeach-
mentY
President: 81 don't know, indeed ;
nor do / care. 1t would make very little
difference to me"
The correspondent here asked what
the President would do in the event OF
the passage Of Mr.. Edmonds bill of sus'
pension, to which the President answered,
substantially:
"Sir, would not obey the law
if they attempted to suspend me.
The law is clearly unconstitutional.
There is point against it which you
gentlemen Of the press seem to have
altogether overlooked The bill Of
Senator Edmonds to suspend, pend
ing the trial, would undoubtedly
be an er post .facto, law as iar
as my case would be concerned
Such law is declared unconstitutional
by the very language Of the Constitution
ITSELF My offense, we will suppose, is
the removal of Mr.. Stanton. That is
an accomplished fact. Any law pre-
scribing a penalty for that act would be
ca post facto, and therefore unconstitu-
tional. How, therefore, can Congress
legally pass bill of such character 2?
The correspondent then remarked that
certain radicals might argue that his per-
sistence in keeping Mr.. Stanton out Of
office, after the Senate declaring his re-
moval contrary to law, and after the
proposed passage Of Mr.. Edmonds' sus
pension bill, would be bringing
the question out of operation
of an er post tacto law. The
President replied that that couldn't
alter the case, as the offence charged
would still cause the removal of Mr.
Stanton for an act performed before the
passage of the proposed bill. In re-
ply to an inquiry as to whether the
President had seen Gen. Thomas since
the interview of the latter with Stanton
the President said YES" and pro-
ceeded to state what had occurred at thai
interview. General Thomas, he said
waited upon Mr.. Stanton and showed min
the Presidents order relieving Mr.. Stan
ton and appointing him (Gen. Thomas.
as Secretary of War ad interim. Mr.
Stanton read the order, and asked Thomas
whether he would be obliged to vacatt
the Office forthwith. Thomas said tina
is instructions were to Nassume contro
Immediately. Stanton then said thai
he would like to have time to arrange ant
take away his papers and documents, tt
which Thomas replied that considerable
time would be allowed for such a pur
pose. No time, however, was fixed fol
Mr.. Stanton to finish his arrange
ments. The President repeatedly ex
pressed his utter indifference as to wha
course Congress might adopt on the i'm
parchment question, and, in answer to
parting remark of your correspondent
that the President might sleeI
soundly, in spite of threatened impeach
ment, he said, laughing: " don't thinl
my slumbers will be much disturbed by
that fear. l shall sleep soundly ant
awake refreshed."