Middletown transcript., 1868-04-18
The Impeachment Trial.

We continue our record OF the lmpeach-
nent of the President.
The bad weather to-day (Friday the
l0th) had the effect to cause great fall
ing off in the attendance on the impeach-
ment trial.
When the court was opened, Mr.. Curtis
his argument from the point
where he left off yesterday, and spoke un-
til about half past two. His argument al
together, yesterday and to-day, occupied
about five hours in delivery. 1t shows
for itself, and any word of commendation
would be utterly superfuous.
General Thomas, the first witness on the
part of the defense, was then placed on the
stand His testimony was very interest
ing. Mr. Butler objecting to the reciting
of certain conversations between the Pres
ident and General Thomas, but the Senate,
by very large majority, decided to re-
ceive it.
The Baltimore Sun of Monday says:-
The proceedings in the impeachment trial
on Saturday made very little progress,
most of the time being taken up in dis
cussion of the admissibility of evidence
proposed to be offered by the counsel for
the President, which was objected to by
the managers on the part of the House
Gen. Butler especially. General Lorenzo
Thomas first corrected his testimony of the
preceding day, he having inadvertently
made it the 21st of February instead of
the 22d that he received the letter from
Mr.. Stanton declining to give up the office
of Secretary of War, and having also
stated that the President told him to go
on and take possession" whereas the
Presidents words were take charge of
the office" There was much badgcring
of the witness by General Butler, as on
the day previous, and useless impertinen-
cies amounting to trifing.
General Sherman was called to the stand
Immediately afterwards, when, from the
outset, objections were interposed to every
form of question asked him with the view
of bringing out the conversations which
took place between the President and
himself when he was, on two different oc-
casions, the 25th and the 31st of January
rendered the position of Secretary of Wal
ad interim. The purpose of the defense
was to show the " intent" of the Presi-
dent at that time, and that he had declared
to General Sherman that his object was tC
get the matter before the courts. But thi!
the managers did not want done, basine
| their objections on its being anteceden
conversations. The Chief Justice, how
ever, thought the proof of conversation
occurring before the transaction bette
evidence of the intent of an act than con
versation occurring after the transaction
and ruled in favor of its admission, bu
was overruled by the Senate by a vote o
% to %. To every possible form after
wards in which the counsel endeavored t
bring out light on this subject. objection
was made and sustained by the Senate, th
Chief Justice being overruled secon
time by vote of 30 to %. On an in
quiry propounded by Senator Henderson
. Did the President, in rendering to yo
the Office of Secretary of War, express t
you the object of so doing ?" the vote wa
yeas rs, nays 27.
General Sherman was again called t
the stand on Monday to reply to questio
put by Senator johnson, and the counst
for the President took legitimate advar
tage of this opportunity to slip in ques
ton; then several more were propoundc
by Senators, on allowing all of which til
yeas and nays were called, and most
them were admitted, but by very clos
| votes.
In this way much of the valuable test
mony of General Sherman, which Messr
Butler & Co. fondly imagined they ha
shut out, was introduced. General She
man was very straightforward and man
, in his replies, and completely yindcatC
t the President from the charges of havir
attempted to improperly use him, and fro
any design to use force in the removal
Mr.. Stanton. 1t is probable that the d
: fenGe will follow the suggestion of Gencr
: Sherman, and introduce his letter to IL
President, giving his reasons for declinin
to accept the appointment of Secretary a
interim.
The testimony of Mr.. Mcigs, the clei
of the District Supreme Court, shove
that after Judge Cartier got up out of h
Il bed at midnight to issue the warrant f
t the arrest of Gen. Thomas, he discharg,
him Internationally, and no reason W
made on the docket. The defense W
g prove that this was for the express purpo
of defeating any attempt to bring the te
: ure-of-offce act before the Supreme Coul
A sharp passage at arms occurred b
tween Senator johnson, of Nd. and &c
o Butler. The latter had the audacity
/ insinuate that Mr.. johnson, in asking t
|, question of Gen. Sherman, was acting
l. counsel for the President. The insinu
h ton was Indignantly repellcd, Gen Butt
j apologized, and Mr.. johnson express
n himself satisfied. The Presidents coun,
lie were not allowed to follow up the que
70 tions and bring out Gen. Grants doub
h dealing, but it is said that he will yet
N put upon the stand, and made to tell |
le own story. 1t is understood that Sh,
ID man, if permitted, would have testif
that the President created the Departure
| e a., Al L 1 a..