The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-04-16
Congressional.
WASHINGTON

4
Committee on Foreign affairs, that
the President send Commission to
Brazil, Bolivia and Uruguay to rec
oncile those nations now at war.
| Leave of absence was granted to
Kerr and several other members.
| Shanks introduced bill to amend
the 21st section to the bill to enroll
military forces SO as to modify the
| provision Of disfranchising deserters
Referred to the Judiciary commit
| tee.
| The House resolved itself into the
committee of the Whole and pro-
cceded to the Senate Chamber, no
business to bc done on return.
SENATE.
Court Of impeachment opened at
IL o'clock with the usual proclama-
ton.
Managers all present except Ste.
vens.
| The counsel for the President were
also present.
At 1915 tho members Of the House
Of Representatives entered in larger
numbers than on any recent occa-
sions.
The Chief Justice inquired wheth-
er the Managers had any further evi-
dence to introduce, and Mr.. Butler
responded in the affirmative.
The reading ofthe journal was dis
pensed with.
Mr. Butler on the part ofthe Man
ayers, then called w. H. Wood, who
was sworn.
Butler stated the design was to
prove by this witness the Presi-
dents hostility to Congress; the wit
ness was from Alabama, he testified
that he served in the q. s. army and
in Dec. 1866 called on the President
seeking government employment,
the President told him he could do
nothing for him as his influence was
on the side of Congress, while those
he appointed must be with him.
Foster Blodgett testified: That he
was appointed post master at Angus
ia, Ga, in 1865; was suspended in '68
by the President; do not know as the
Senate has been notified of this ac-
ton.
The letter Of General Thomas &C.
cepting the appointment as Sec'y OF
War, ad interim, was then put in evi-
dence, and Mr. Butlergave notice that
the Managers would file certificates
OF proper officers to show that no
reason for the suspension Of Mr. Blod-
gett had ever been sent to the Sen
ate.
Butler announced that the case on
behalf of the House was closed.
Curtis then rose and commenced
the opening argument Tor the de-
fense, alluding to the character of the
trial and oath taken by Senators in
the capacity of Judges, he Curtis
said the only appeal he should make
would be to the conscience and rea.
son of every judge, basing his argus
ment solely on questions Of law and
fact, he intimated that he would snb-
sequently combat the position taken
by the managers that this body was
not essentially and in fact court,
but at present would consider the ar
ticles separately in order that the
grdrdmen of the charges of the lot
article was the removal of Stanton
and it was intended to be in violation
of the tenure of Office act and the
constitution, SO argued to show that
in case Stanton did not come within
the scope and provisions of the ten
ure of Office act, maintaining the
description of his Office and its ten
ure differed materially in the section
and proviso. Stanton was appin teddy
Lincoln in 1862, to hold Office during
the term for which he was elected,
not during subsequent term for
which he might be eleoced, it could
not be said that Mr. johnson was SER
wing out the time of Mr.. Lincoln. |
The term for which President is
elected is not absolutely years but
is limited by life and ability. Curtis
read the first section Of the tenure of
office act and said there was pur-
pose in tho difference of the phrase
ology between the section and its
proviso. The constitution authorizes
the president to call upon the men,
bsrs Of his cabinet for advice respect
ing matters concerning his duties as |
well as respecting matters concerned
with the various departments and
such had been the inveriable prac |
tice since the foundation of the Gov
ernment. They were the voice and
hands of the president; in them he
was to repose confidence, and for
them he was to be responsible; for
this reason they were placed by the
tenure of Office in the same position
as the President by whom. they were
appointed, and they were to serve
out his term of Office but as to hol- |
ding over the case was different.
Cnrtis proceeded to show that the
feeling and intention of both Hous-
os was in framing and passing this
bill were in accordance with the |
views just expressed.
He said the 9Th forbids any reno.
walls contrary to the provisions Of the
act, but as Stanton did not yield,
there was no removal, and if there
had been, he would not have violated
the act, since he had just shown that
Station did not come within its pro.
visions.
The House of Representatives char
ges the President with Intentional |
violation. The first and last duty of |
the President is to construe an act,
to decide what is the true meaning.
This duty is to be performed rs the I
Constitution provides.
The case of Stanton is ono OF actu-
al holding of:office under the law Of
1889 without expressly giving pow.
er to tho President to remove him.,
The practice Of the government |
was in conformity with this view.
On the outbreak of the civil war, tie
war department was in ,disloyal
hands.
After having argued the right Of
the removal, he proceeded 70 argue !
its propricty and necessity.
The President took no extreme
grounds. But still believing it his
duty to see that the laws arc faith
fully executed. Still In cases where
q portion of his prcgrogatives are
sought to be invaded, and if no one
else can raise the question he must |