Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-04-23
FROM WASHINGTON.
IMPEACHMENT.

a more liberal indulgence OIL OounSei III s"0
III documents in the case engaged attention lor
= mil bnt they were indefinitely postponed.
NJ S,snbery not being sufficiently recovered
;, 49, attend the trial, Mr. Evarts proposed to oc-
cunv mart Of the day in fling documentary
evidence. among which he offered The message
Of the President on the Goth of February, justi-
fving the removal Of Mr.. Stanton, which, after
argument by the managers against, and the
Presidents counsel for its admission, was excln-
ded BY the chief Justice as declaration made
after the act, and not competent evidence
Other documents and facts is TO appointments
and removals were put in testimony.
In the proceedings in the Court of ImPeach-
ment Thursday the Senate continued to exhibit
the equitable spirit in the admission OF testl-
mo7y which it was manifested since extricating
itself from It's erroneous rulings on last Satur-
dav. Mr.. Sumner offered resolution that 90
spch trial there should be latitude not OBJ
noxious TO technical objections, but although
this was tabled. the Senate has recognized the
principle set forth by its present line OF action
The examination yesterday of the witnesses
called for the defense afforded additional ex-
qualification of disposition TO deal fairly and
Justly in regard to the admission OF the teSti-
mony. The counsel ior General Thomas were
permitted TO state. notwithstanding the preSs-
tent objections Of Mr.. Butler declarations OF
the President TO them, showing that his intent
was 10 test the legality of General Thomas
appointnent in the courts. Mr. Cox testified
that he was employed professionally by the
President. in the presence of General Thomas,
for that purpose. and Mr.. Mcrrick, another Of
the counsel for General Thomas, that, after the
arrest of General Thomas, he went to the Pre-
siIent's at General ThomaSs suggestion, and
that Mr.. Stanbery, in the presence OF The Prc-
,ident advised immediate action to take the
question to the courts. At every turn of the
evidence the intent of the President 10 bring
the subject to judicial decision Is made more
and more apparent.
Friday. the examination of witnesses for the
defense was continued Mr.. Stanberry, how
ever. was not present, being still detained from
his labor In the case by indisposition. The
Senate continued % show in its rulings dis
p,Si,ion 20 get at the facts showing the real
moral of the case. No "great criminal has
vet been developed by the testimony, nor many
part of the proceedings, except in It's denuncla-
tory language Of the mansgers. Under the
last ratings Of the court testimony relative to
Cabinet matters was admitted but a debate
ensuel aS 70 the admisSibility of certain eyi-
dence Of Secretary Wells relative to the reno
val Of Mr. Stanton, which continued up to the
hour Of adjournment.
When the Impeachment Court opened Satuv-
day. the question being on allowing Secretary
WellcS 10 state the action Of Mr. Stanton and
the rest Of the Cabinet on the tenure of-offce
hill Al the time OF lbs passage. Mr.. Wilson, Of
iowa. opened the debate on the part OF the
managers. with an elaborate written argument.
in which he had been engaged the whole of the
preceding night. Instead of combining himself
to the discussion Of the point pending before
the court. Mr.. Wilson branchcd of into an er
pdr'e review of the merits Of the whole case.
lie occupied the full limit Of time allowed, Just
one hour Mr. Curtis replied in a few terse
sentences, bearing directly on the question.
The Chief Justice gave as his opinion that
the evidence was clearly admissible. Mr.. How
ard asked a vote on it, and it was ruled cut by
majority OF u'nc. This result was not at al
unexpected as the impelchers had been very
busy canvaSSins doubtful votes on Friday night,
and were hoasting early in the morning that
they had secured enough 10 keep ont all testi-
mony as to the cabinet proceedings on the ten
ure-oi-office bill.
All the efforts of the counsel to get in this
testimony direct was overruled 10y the Senate,
hut from the questions propounded and the
brief answers which were permitted, enough
was elected from Secretary Welles to show
that the Cabinet, including Mr.. Stanton, was 4
unit in holding the bill to be unconstitutional,
and that at any rate none Of the members who
were appointed by Mr.. Lincoln came under its
provisions. 1t was further gathered from Mr..
Wellcs and his son, who was also put on the
stand, that the Presidents sole object in send
ing for General Emory was to inquire as to the
meaning Of certain rumored movements of the
troops in this department, the knowledge Of
which was communicated to the President by
the witnesses II Is conceded even by the i'm
preachers that the bottom has been knocked out
f the Emory article.
Postmaster General Randall testified that
Foster Blodgctt was suspended by him without
the knowledge Of the President, because Of his
being under indictment for perjury. Mr.. But
Ter cSSlycd his usual tactics, eudeavoring to
confuse the witness and pervert his testimony,
but he got hold of the wrong man, Gov Ran
dali turning on him sternly and telling him
that he coald not put words IN his mohth, but
that if he put proper questions to him he would
endcavor to answer them.
When the examination OF Gov Randall! was
concluded Mr. Evarts stated that the counsel
had designed calling other members of the
Cabinet, hut after the ruling Of the Senate,
they should not now call them, rs their teSti-
mony was Of q similar nature to that which
had not been admitted, and also that the case
FOR the defense was now substantially closed.
1t is probable that Mr. Ssanbcry may have
some further testimony TO offer tomorrow, and
also that the prosecution may desire to bring
forward a witness or two additional; if so, the
arguments will commence on Tucsday.-Balt.
Sun.
We take the following abstract Of Mondays
proceedings from the Washington Evening Er-
press.
The Senate, as a High Court Of lmpeach-
meut. assembled at eleven o'clock this morning,
and after the usual ceremonies proceedings were
commenced by Mr.. Butler. who offered in
rebuttal certain documentary evidence relating
n theuriginal commission issued 10 Gen. Wash
ington rs commander-in-chiet of the army :;
also. letter from the then Secretary of the
Treasury. 10 August, 1855, Hon. James
Guthrie,l to show the practice Of the Depart
meut in the matter ofappointng officers during
the session Of the Senate.
Postmaster General Randall was then re-
called and examined by Mr. Butler in reference
% the case of Foster Blodgett. Mr.. Butler