The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-04-07
The Impeachment Trial.

dent johnson commenced before the Impeach
ment Court of the U. S. Senate.
The first day was occupied with Gen. Butler
and MIR Wilson's speeches in favor Of impeach-
ment.
SECOND DAY, March 81.
The Impeachment evidence was proceeded with
until Mr. Stanbery objected
Chief Justice Chase sustained the managers.
Mr. Drake, of Missouri, objected.
| Chief Justice Chase maintained that he had
a right to make preliminary decisions subject to
appeal.
Mr. Drake appealed to the Senate.
The managers were sustained in the appeal.
Mr. Butler said he was glad the issue had arts
en- when the ruling was in their favor.
| The defence took part in the contest.
A motion to retire prevailed, Chief Justice
Chase voting aye to decide the tie vote; 1lessrs.
Doolttle and Saulsbery, on the Democratic side
only voting nay.
After three hours absence Chief Justic Chase
announced that he Chase should decide ques-
tons Of evidence and preliminary questions sub
ject to an appeal to the Senate.
The Managers made a strenuous effort to-day
saying that should the point go against them they
won!d feel compelled to retire and consult the
House. When the dicision was announced Mr.
Butter said the managers desired to retire. The
Presidents friends seem in excellent spirits.
The President changed the form of appoint
ment blanks to conform to the tenure-of-of1ce act
after that law passed.
General Morehead characterizes the interviews
with Mr. Stanton and Gen. Thomas as somewhat
jocular. There were no hostile manifestations
Mr. Butler volunteered to repeat inaudible SEN
fences Of witnesses. but the defence objected
The vote in the private session, sustaining
Chief Justice Chase, was 81 to 49,
THIRD DAY, April 1.
After reading the Journal, which was inter-
rupted by Mr. Summers Intellectual attempt to
declare the casting vote of Chief Justice Chase
illegal, the question of evidence which was in
terrupted yesterday, resumed.
Both managers and counsels assumed their
hours and Chief Justice Chase was sustained by
strict party vote.
Pending the discussion, the managers declined
answering what use they intended making of the
disputed evidence, as it would expose their plan
of prosecution.
The question at issue whether what Mr.
Thomas said and did could be received under this
ruling. 1t was proven that Mr. Thomas said he
intended using force and to break the door down,
and that afterwards he said he was deferred from
using force by his arrest Next the contest arose
over the admisability of what Mr. Thomas did
war office, but Chief Justice Chase ruled it'out.
Mr. Drake appealed and his appeal was sus-
tanned by vote of % to p.
The managers stated that previous to the vote
they intended proving by this evidence that Gen.
Thomas, in the line of his conspiracy, attempted
to corrupt the employees of the War Office.
Mr. Butler violently assailcd General Thomas,
burying this conversation as having been dis
graced by Lincoln and Stanton, and that aside
from assisting the President in his conspiracy he
, eratiGed his revenge Under this ruling 1t was
proved that shortly after General Thomas rein
statement Adjutant General, he called up the
heads of bureaus and chief employees and in
formed them that strict rules would be relaxed
and elected the fact that these speeches were
confined to the employees of the Adjutant Gen
erals Department, and that no allusion made
! to General Thomas probably becoming Secretary
of War
This point created quite buz. Further evil
dence showed that General Thomas said he in
tended applying TO General Grant for force to
put him in possession of the War office.
But three witnesses were examined to-day.
Mr. Butler takes the lead almost entirely with
the impeachment managers. lie is their emer
gency man. The practice is very sharp. pre-
eisely after the manner of police courts, except
+ that the thrusts are more keen.
The PRESIDENTS counsel has summoned the
following witnesses: John McGinnis, New York;
LEWIS ID. Campbell ex-Mexican Minister Burt
Able, St. Louis; Generals James B. Steadman
William T. Sherman, Lowell and Rosseau.
FOURTH DAY, April 2
After the reading of the Journal. Mr. Drake
moved to amend the seventh rule. Lies over
Two witnesses were examined but nothing new
elected.
General Emory and Colonel Wallace were ex-
amned, aud testified, in substance as heretofore
published.
The Pres dents letter to General Grant was
read. The Presidents counsel demanded that
the certificates of the Cabinet officers be read
| a part of the document.
Chief Justice Chase put the question and 1t
was defeated by vote OF yeas 20, nays % So
the managers were not required to read the GER
tificates.
VIM. E. Chandler, late Assistant Secretary Of
the Treasury was introduced, and testified re-
garding the treasury routine. The defence OBJ
jscted to the questions regarding Edwin Cooper S
| appointment.
Mr. Butler stated that he intended proving by
this evidence that the President appointed MIR
Cooper so that Gen. Thomas mi hit have access to
the treasury through Mr. Cooper also that the
President had violated the tenure of Office blllln
Mr. Cooper's appointment.
The evidence re- ected bya vote of23 to 26-
d. A Tinker, telegraph manager was cxamin-
ed regarding the kilograms between the Presi-
dent and Governor Parsons, in relation to the
adoption ofthe Howard amendment by the Ala
bama Legislature.
The defence objected.
NJ St,taI bot in the tolarremS the