Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-21
EXTRA.
IMPORTANT!
Change in the War Department.!
Removal Of Secretary Stanton! !
Appointment of General Lorenzo
Thomas!
Message Sent to the Senate by
the President!

There is much excitement in both the Senate
and House to-day over the removal of Secreta-
ry Stanton. The Presidents communication
to the Senate on the subject is very brief, simp.
ly setting forth that he has peremtorily re.
moved Edwin M. Stanton, and appointed Gen.
Lorenzo Thomas, Secretary of War ad inter rim
with orders to take immediate charge of the
War Office.
The Senate will 60 into Execution session
this afternoon, when action will be taken on
the matter. A resolution will be introduced IN
Executive session, requesting Secretary Stan.
ton to disregard the Presidents order, aud to
maintain his present position. Leading Sena.
tors are freely stating within the past hour
that this action OF The President viii un-
doubte dly lead TO his impeachment.
In connection with the removal of Mr. Stan
ton, the President has taken another decided
step. In the same message to the Senate he
also informs that body that he has nominated
Gen. George II. Thomas to be Lieutenant Gen.
eral by breyet, and also gives him still higher
promotion, making him General by breyeL
LATER.
session, on motion of Mr.. Morton-Mr. Conk.
ling, OF New York, giving way for that pur-
pose.
The Presidents messages were taken up and
read. Aspirited debate arose on the nomna-
ton Of General Lorenzo Thomas as Secretary
Of War dd interim, in place of Mr.. Stanton
The indications seems to be that the Senate
will continue in session until a vote is reached
non-concurring in the Presidents course.
General Thomas received the letter appoint
ing him Secretary of War ad interim and the
letter Diminishing Secretary Stanton about 12
O'Clock to-day and immediauy went
to MIR. Stanton's room in the War
Department. when he handed him the
Presidents letter of dismissal Mr.
stanton, upon reading the same
said he would think the matter over. and
give an answer soon.
The Interview between General Thomas and
Mr.. Stanton is said to have been pleasant,
and during the same Gen. Thomas notified Mr.
Stanton that he had accepted the position
OF Secretary of War od Interim
General Thomas then addressed a letter TO
the President, accepting the Office.
He continues to occupy his old quarters in
the Office of Adjutant General, and Mr.. San
ton occupies mis- usual quarters up stairs.
STILL LATER.
AT $50 p. m. Secretary Stanton sent a mes
s'ge to the House Of Representatives, simply
stating that he had just received from the
hands Of Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas
an order from the President appointing the
latter Secretary Of War dd interim, and direct.
ing Mr. Stanton to turn over all of the records
and books Of the Department to Gen. Thomas
MIR. Stanton merely submits the order to Con-
gress and does not indicate any action on his
part.
After the Secretary's letter and the Presi.
de nt's order had been read
Mr.. Washburne, Of Illinois, moved to refer
the correspondence to the Committee on Re-
construction. Mr.. Boutwell, moved to amend
with leave to report at any tine; which was
accepted, and the motion agreed to without
further debate
p. M.-The Senate is still in executive
session on the message sent them by the
President.