Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-28

struction. He then feebly reviewed the
whole case compared Stantons services
TO those OF Johnson; noted the claim oil
the counsel that no removal Of Stanton
had taken place. because Stanton still
held Office, and concluded by saying II
the President is not willing to execute
the laws Of Congress, let him resign, and
return TO his village and obscurity.
Mr.. Williams then took the floor, and
after speaking Of the august Chamber OF
Tribunal and Of the intense interest
which is felt all over the country, and by
the entire people who we're awaiting with
anxiety verdict which is either to send
a thrill of joy to an afflicted land or
wreck IL anew with the throes Of anarchy
and despair, he proceeded to state that
the matter now presented for discussion
was not conflict between two officials,
but between the executive and Ameri-
can people. He, too, would ask, Where
is Andrew Johnson but would answer
in different manner from the present
counsel He then intimated that john
sons opposition TO secession in the SEN
ate was prompted by doubt Of its adj
instability at that particular time. How.
ever that might be, no would consider
him as he is now and has been since he
came in power. Mr.. Williams held that
the master help to oil his conduct as
President was his desire to favor and up
hold traitors and force the rebel States
into the Union on his terms against the
expressed will of Congress and the loyal
people.
IL ~, ran,ta " n atQ
of Johnson's, which he claimed were
usurpations and offenses applicable only
on the above superstition. The culmina.
ton of long series OF usurpations and
offenses was his attempt to dispace
Stanton in contempt of the Tenure-of-
Office law.
Mr.. Williams took up the answers made
by the Presidents counsel to the charge
OF violating that law, and first dIscerned
its provisions, which it was alleged ex-
cluded Stanton from its benefits. He
had himself suggested that amendment
and explained its meaning, and he had
never declared such construction would
be put upon itas stated by the Presidents
counsel. Stanton's case was certainly
intended to be covered by il, il indeed it
was not the immediate cause of its intro
duction, He held the objection made
that Stanton did not come within its
effects because he was not formally ap-
pointed by johnson, might almost be
termed bubble
The Senate here took a recess.
On reassembling, Williams recon
sidered the point set up by the defense
that the law is unconstitutional. He
characterized it as defiance and ohal-
lenge to Congress, from the fact that the
Constitution does not provide for re-
movals, except by impeachment. He
drew the inference that Legislative
body must possess the sole power of
judging when good behavior ceases and
when removals should DO made. He also
claimed that the right to remove in GER
tain cases was either power delegated to
the Executive by Congress, or implied by
the Constitution, and therefore not to be
extended to apply to all cases. He then
discussed the judicial authorities cited
by the Presidents counsel, arguing that
they afforded no countenance to his de-
cisions. but settled the point that Con
gress may fix the Tenure-of-O Office so as
10 prtNtut IcmoFais w tue loe'uont
and that his power to remove, 80 far
as it existed, was implied from his power
to appoint, Against the legislative con-
struction which was addueed in support
of the Presidents theory on this subject,
he cited passages from Webster and Cal.
houn's speeches, and the writings of
Kent and Story, to show that the inter-
probation put on the Constitution by the
Congress of 1889 was erroneous and
worthy of reversal, and called attention
to the fact that the laws referred to we're
passed by very small majorities in the
House, and in the Senate by the vote of
the Vice President who had . direct in
terest in their passage. He denied that
all wisdom had died with our factions,
and claims that this Congress had as
good right to interpret the Constitution
as another.
At this point four clock, Mr.. Morrill,
stated that Mr.. Williams was unwell, and
could not to-day finish his speech.
The Court then adjourned, and the
Senate very soon afterward.