Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1868-04-16

THE IMPEAcHMENT.

~ THE IMPEACHMENT.
The Court of Impeachment began its
session on the 9th at twelve o'clock, and
the House Managers called two witnesses.
w. II. WOOD, from Alabama, testified that
he served IN the Union army, and in De-
cember, 1866, called on the President,
seeking Government employment; the
President told him he could do nothing for
him, as mis- influence was on the side of
Congress, waile those he appointed must
be with him. Foster Blodgett testified
that he was appointed postmaster at
Augusta, Ga, IN 1865; was suspended in
1868 by the President, and does not Know
as the Senate has been notified OF this
action. The letter OF General Thomas
accepting the appointment of Secretary
OF War al interim was then put in
evidence, and MI. Butler gave notice that
the. Managers would file certificates with
the proper officers to show that no reasons
for the suspension of Blodeett had ever
been sent to tie Senate. Mr. Butler then
announced that the case in behalf of the
Managers was closed. Mr.. Curtis then
rose and commenced the opening argu-
ment Of the defence He spoke upward
of two hours, and at 3:45 asked permission
tosuspend his remarks until the 10th, when
the Court adjourned.
At Ills on the 10th, Mr.. Curtis resumed
his opening argument before the Impeach-
ment Court, and concluded at 2:15. Gen
eral Thomas was then sworn as q witness,
and testified as to his Instructions from the
President relative 10 obtaining possession
of the War Office, denying that the latter
had ever told him to use force to get Stan
ton out. Objection was twice made by the
Managers TO portion Of the evidence
sought TO be introduced through General
Thomas, but was not sustained by the Sen
ate On the cross-examinatiOD, Gen.
Thomas admitted he had talked of using
force 10 get possession Of the War Office,
and his intent To do so at one time was in
reverse of the Presidents order. At 5:20
the Court adjourned
The Court was called to order at noon
on the 18th. General Thomas was re-
called; he stated that the President told
him To take charge Of the War Office, in
stead of to take possession on the cross
examination, the witness made corrections,
as to dates, etc, in his testimony OF the
day previous, and claimed that he had not
seriously threatened To use force TO get
possession of the War Office. General
Sherman was called IS witness objection
was EldQC Dy TIC nldEdACfS ~ Qut>ttoA
as tn what conversation had taken place
between him and the President in regard
TO Staniou's removal; the Chief Justice
ruled the question admissible, but, after
considerable debate, the Senate refused TO
allow it, by % to %; objection was also
made and sustained to the question as TO
what the witness knew about the creating
+ of the Department of the Atlantic; the
! General testified, that the President ten
dered him the Office of Secretary Of War I'D
! interim, o.. two occasions, January 25th and
3Oth, and he. replied to these in writing on
/ the 9th and 31st; MI Stanton was in OF
/ fee atthe time; objection was made TO the
question if anything else occurred between
+ witness and the President about the ofler
when first made, and the question was de-
cided inadmissible, 23 to %; objection was
also made to other interrogatOries concern
ing what conversation had taken place be-
tween witness and the President relating
TO the War Office, and ruled inadmissible
BY the Senate, when Mr.. Stanbery said,
under these rulings the counsel were not
prepared 1T present to ask further questions
of General Sherman, but would, perhaps,
desire 10 recallhI on Monday, whereupon,
at 40 the Court adjourned -.4 .---..
In the Impeachment Court, 18th, the
attempt 10 change the rule so as TO allow
as many of 7ths Managers and counsel to
participate In final debate "a may wish to
do so, was negatiVed- 10 to 3S -sothe rule
remained unchanged. The examination
OF General Sherman wasresumed he was
asked if, after the restoration of Mr.. Stan
ton, be had formed an opinion as to
whether the good of the service required
another man IN the War Office, and if he
had expressed that opinion TO the Presi-
dent objected TO, and af1er debate ques-
ton not sdmitted-15t 10 80 he was asked
If, before the removal of Mr.. Stanton, he
had advised the President that he should
be removed; question rejected-1S TO 30
SIR. II. J. Meigs, Clerk of the District Sd-
preme Court, testified he affixed the seal TO
the warrant for the arrest of General
Thomas at about o'clock on the morning
of February a22d. The warrant and the
AFFIDAVIT Of Mr.. Stanton on which It was
issued were offered in evidence, and OBJ
jecied to; de I'd admissible by the Chief
Justice, md decision srstained-34 to Il.
MIR. johnson then asked General Sherman
ii the President, at the time of rendering
him the Office of Secretary of War dd an
terim, stated what was his purpose in 50
doing; objected to, but question allowed
20 to 22-end answered affirmaiively; the
witness was then asked to state what the
President said that purpose was; OBJ
jected to, and decided admissible by the
Chief Justice, as tending 10 show the i'm
port of the Presidents action; decision
sustained-26 to 25-and General Sber-
man stated in substance that the President
said the relations between himself and Mr..
Stanton and between Mr.. Stanton and the
members of the Cabinet were ouch that he
could not execute the Office he filed
as President of the United States with
out making provision for an Gd int
rim occupation of the Office of Sec
rotary of War; and that he had q right
under the law, and his purpose was tc
have the office administered in the inter
ests Of the army and country, and ne of
T., fered the position 10 NE; that his purpose
was TO bring the matter into the Courts
directly !. ! asked him why lawyers could
Tot make d case; did not wish to be
brought as an officer of the army into the
controversy his answer was that it was
found impossible; that alcase could not
be made up; but, said he, IF We could
bring the case into the courts, 1t would
not stand for an hour on 2 question be
ing put to witness by Mr.. -Stanbery
whether be had answered as to both oeca-
sfons, considerable debate ensued, after
which the questions put by Mr.lJohnson
were read, and General Sherman stated
that on the first interview the President
confined himself to general Terms and
witness gave him no definite answer ON
the second interview, he nndenteodit To
be the constitutionality of the Tenure-of-
Of1ce act which the President seemed
DESTROYS of having, decided; the
witness stated 70 the President, be
might Do wiling to administer the Office
nd Interim, If Mr. Stanton would simply
retire; the President thought Mr.. Stanton
would make no opposition; witness gave
his final answer to the President in writ.
ing; his reasons for declining the office