Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1868-03-26

70 The Senate Court of I'm
parchment was reorganized on the
23d inst. The Republicans evince
a desire to hurry the matter through.
The Presidents answer was submit
ted through his counsel, Messrs.
Curtis, Stanberry and Evarts, Judge
Black not appearing, having with
drawn, for reasons not stated, from
the body of the counsel. The answer
was very voluminous, the counsel
reading it by turn.
In answer to the first article, the
President argues all the questions
involved and his duty under the cir
cumstances, claiming his constitu
tional power of removal. He con-
siders the organization Of the War
Department and the relations of the
Secretary of War to his administra-
ton, claiming him as his constitu-
tional adviser, and showing his own
responsibility for the Secretary's ac-
tons. He proceeds to show that
Stanton had become hostile to the
administration, and could no longer
occupy the position toward the ad-
ministration contemplated by the
fathers and that he could no longer
assume the responsibility for his &C
tions. He further claims that the
action Of the Senate did not restore
Stanton to the War office, but the
War office was technically vacant
when he appointed Thomas.
Familiar laws and precedents
were quoted at length to sustain this
position He denies having violated
or intended to violate the Constitu-
ton or laws.
Answering the second article the
President asserts at length that the
War office was vacant and quotes
laws to sustain Thomas appoint
ment.
The answer to the third article is a
general denial.
Answering the fourth the Presi.
dent denies any conspiracy whatever.
His action was confined to the notes
to Stanton and Thomas, removing
the one and appointing the other, and
in answering to the fifth, sixth and
seventh articles the same allegations
occur, all backed by the assertion that
he had no object whatever but to
maintain the prerogatises of his office
by legal means.
Answering the eighth he disavows
any intention of taking possession of
the money or property Of the War
office and again insists, by argument,
illustration and precedent that he
acted in constitutional manner.
Answering the ninth article he
quotes the interview at length and
his protest against the "rider" to the
army appropriation bill 10 which he
still claims. that it deprived him of
bis constitutional duty of commanding
the amy.
La answer to the tenth article, the
Presiueat denies that the specifca-
tions give the truth in verbiage, state
meut or argument in quoting from his
speech, and in case the Senators en-
terrain the charges he demands full
investigation of what he said and
meant. La this answer the President
claims, in a spirit somewhat defiant,
his freedom Of speech. He claims
that though President, he is an Ameri,
can citizen.
Answering the eleventh article, he
claims that he cannot answer it be.
cause it designates no design, device
or attempt involving action which
could be construed into high misde.
meanor. He retains the right to add
to this answer.
The managers announced that their
replication would be ready tomorrow
at l o'clock.
The Presidents counsel asked thirty
days. Two hours argument ensued
when the thirty days were refused by |
Al t, II, strict party vote.
A motion to postpone, fixing the
time until after replication by the
House, failed.
johnson moved to allow ten days