Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-04-10
Impeachment Trial.
On Wednesday of last week, the Sci

He then testified at considerable length
conc srning the conversation between him
self and Gen. Thomas. The most impor
tant point was that Gen. Thomas told him
he intended, if necessary, TO use force to
get possession of the War Office. Mr.
Stanbery cross-examined Mr.. Burleigh
and worried him n good deal in the pro-
cess, without, however, getting him to
weaken the force of his testimony in the
least. While all this was going on Gen.
Thomas, in full uniform, was an interest
ed and anxious spectator and auditor in
the ladies' gallery.
The next witness called was Samuel
Wilkeson, whose testimony was brief but
to the point, and delivered in such a
straightforward manner as to leave no
room for any cross-examination; but a
few unimportant questions were pro-
pounded and they left the Presidents case
no better off than before they were put.
He related two conversations with Thorn
as, one in the afternoon and the other in
the night of the Dist of February, in
which Gen. grhomas declared his inten-
ton to take possession of War Office.
Next came one Karsner, from Della
ware, whose testimony was very impor-
tant and at the same time very ludicrous.
He met Gen. Thomas at the President S
levee on Monday evening, Feb, 25th, and
congratulated him on the position to
which he had been assigned, telling him
to do his duty, and that the eyes of Del
aware were upon him. "The eyes Of
Delaware falling so quantity as the
phrase did upon the ears of the Senate
and galleries drew ont laugh, in which
the Chief Justice heartily joined. To
Karsner's congratulation, Gen. Thomas
replied that the people of his native State
would not be disappointed in him, for he
would certainly do his duty and kick
that fellow out, unquestionably meaning
Secretary Stanton, but mentioning no
names. Mr.. Stanbery now took charge
of Karsner, evidently with the purpose
of confusing him and making him con-
tradict himself He commenced by put
ting so many irrelevant questions that
the Chief Justice felt constrained to in
terfere with an objection and stop the
farce. Mr.. Stanbery then asked the wit
ness whetherh he detailed the conversation
to any one on the night of its occurrence.
a" Yes" the witness said, he had. What
was his name, inquired Mr. Stanbery.
Karsner hesitated as though trying to
think of some name if not less than ten
syllables of unpronouneeable Dutch and
then raised his head toward the counsel
and with the air of one who had just
caught it, after desperate effort said it
was Smith. A peal of laughter followed.
The Chief Justice caught the contagion
as badly as any one in the galleries or on
the floor and laughed so heartily himself
that he was ashamed to call others to or
der. The scene was re-enacted two min
utes later when Mr.. Stanbery asked what
was Smiths first name, and the witness
replied, f." it isn't John" at isn't John
but William" said he Mr.. Stanbery soon
dismissed this witness but Gen. Butler
babe Karsner remain in the city as he
thought it might be necessary to call on
him again. Karsner's testimony seemed
to annoy the Presidents counsel, and
they will endeavor to impeach his char
acter in order to destroy the effect of his
testimony. karsner, however, is said to
be man of integrity. He lives in Del
aware, where he owns large farm. When
the war broke out he took decided ground
in favor of the Union, ana for this he
was driven from his home for some
months. His business in Washington, lat
the time of his conversation with Gen.
Thomas, was in connection with the es-
tablishment Of postal route in the
county of the State in which he resides.
We give below some extracts from the
testimony, and sparring between counsel
On Friday, the reporters who accom-
panied the President when he was swing
ing around the circle, was examined, and
among them one Hudson, who reported
for the Cleveland Leader, while he was
giving his testimony, the following oc-
Cured;
q. You have been asked about the
manner in which you took the speech;
were there considerable interruption, A.
there were.
Q. Was there considerable bowling
for the President ? A. There was neces-
sary bowling.
Q. Why necessary? A. Because of
the interruption of the crowd.
Q. Was the crowd noisy one? A.
1t was.
@. Were the crowd and the President
bandying epithets.
Mr.. EvARTs-The question is not
what was said.
Mr.. BUTLER-I do not adopt the Ian
q Al