The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-04-01
.no9rsol1 JnttlLigenfer.
Impeachment Proceedings.
WASHINGTON March

in the Senate, and pronounced the Court
of Impeachment opened
The Journal was read, and the mana
gers informed the Court that the Presi-
dents counsel were present.
Mr. Davis submitted motion that the
Senate as constituted, did not constitute
such an Impeachment Court, as is con-
-templated by the Constitution, ten States
being without their consent ignored.
Only Messrs. Davis and McCreery, Ken
tucky men, voted "aye."
Mr. Chase intimated that the Court was
ready to receive the Presidents answer.
Mr.. Stanberry said that it was ready,
but that counsel had been compelled by
the shortness of time allo wed them, to de-
vote every hour to its preparation, igno-
ring all private business and encroaching
on habitual refreshment and relaxations.
Messrs. Curtis, Stanberry and Evarts
then each read in turn answers to the first
article.
The President argues all tho questions
involved and his duty under the circum-
stances, and claims his constitutional pow
er of removal. He considers tho organi-
cation of the War Department and the
relation Of the Secretary of War to his
Administration, claiming him to be his
constitutional adviser, and showing the
Presidents responsibility for the actions
of his Secretary
He proceeds to show that Stanton had
become hostile to the Administration, and
could no longer occupy tho position to-
ward the Administration contempla-
;ted by the fathers of the Constitution,
and that the President could no longer
assume responsibility for his actions. He
further claims that the action of the Sen
ate did not restore Stanton to the War
Office, but that the War Office was tech
nically vacant when the President ap-
pointed General Thomas. Familiar laws
and prscedents were quoted at length to
sustain this position. The President de-
MES having violated the Constitution Or
laws, or intending 80 to do.
Answering the second article, the
President asserts at length that the War
Office was vacant, and quotes the laws to
sustain the appointment Of Gen. Thomas.
The answer to the third article is a
general denial
In his answer to the fourth article, the
President denies the existence of any
conspiracy whatever, and says that his
action was confined to the notes to STAN
ton and General Thomas, removing one
and appointing the other; and in the an
swers to the fifth, sixth and seventh ar
ticles the same allegations occur, all
backed by the assertion that he had no
object whatever except to maintain the
prerogative of his Office by legal means.
Answering the eighth article he disa-
vows any intention of taking possession
of the money or property Of the War Of
fee, and again insists by arguments, illus
trations and precedents, that be acted in
g constitutional manner.
Answering the ninth article he quotes
his protest against the rider of the Army
Appropriation Bill, in which be claimed,
as he still claims that it deprived him OF
his constitutional duty of commanding the
Army.
He claims that the specifications 10 the
Tenth Article fail of truth in verbiage,
statement and argument when quoting
his speeches, and adds, that in case Sena-
tors entertain charges Of this kind, he
demands full investigation of what he
said and meant. In this answer the Pres
.idenb claims, in spirit somewhat defiant,
his freedom of speech, and that although
he is President, he is still an American
citizen.
3 He claims that he cannot answer the
Eleventh Article, because it designates no
design, device or attempt involving any
action which could be construed into a
high misdemeanor.
The President reserves the right to add
to these answers.
The Managers announced that their
replication would be ready tomorrow at
one o'clock.
The Presidents counsel asked thirty
days time, which, after an argument of
two hours, was refused by q vote Of 81
nays to II ayes
A motion to postpone fixing any time
until the replication was received, was de-
feated
Senator Johnson moved to allow ton
days, but before any action was taken,
the impeachment Court adjourned.
WASHINGTON, March "a.
In the Senate, petition was presented
from the South Carolina Convention, ask
ing o. loan for educational purposes. A bill
regulating the presentation of bills to the
President passed. At the usual hour, i'm
parchment began. Replication was sub
mitted. Chase said the business in order
was Johnson's motion allowing the Pres
dent ten days. Sumner submitted
substitute, that the trial proceed.
Edmunds moved that the Senate retire
Sumner, Howard, and others cried "No!
Mop Conkling called for the yeas and
nays, which resulted: Yeas-Anthony,
Bayard, Buckalew, Corbet, Davis, Dixon,
Doolittle, Edwards, Fessenden, Fowler,