Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-22
WASHINGTON.

D0neiSon anu hoyoi NS'"N'
Agents of the Levee Board of the State
of Mississippi, arrived here yesterday
They are seeking for appropriations
for the levees of the Yazoo basin, extend
ing on the east side Of the Mississippi
river from Memphis to Vicksburg'
An advisory meeting was held last night
at the rooms of Senator Fowler, at
which most of the Tennessee delegation
we're present, and many members OF Con-
gress from sections not interested in the
work. Congressional assistance, it seems,
will be conceded; otherwise these vast
tracts of productive land will be mum
dated. Major Donelson and Mayor Mer-
riwether are hopeful of securing the APP
preparation for which they have been
directed by the Mississippi Board to ask.
The Senate, few minutes after two
o'clock, went into Executive session,
| which continued for seven hours The
matter of removal was fully discussed,
and with much spirit, in secret session.
Edmunds offered a resolution, for which
Mr.. Wilson moved the adoption of the
following substitute:
WHEREAS, The Senate has received
and considered the communication from
the President, stating he had removed
Edwin NJ. Stanton, as Secretary of War,
| II L. J,ufapt (raparnl
Secretary of War adj interim; therefore,
be it !,
Resolred By the Senate, That the
President has no power to remove the
Secretary of War and designate any
other officer to perform the duties OF that
Office.
This substitute was agreed to without
any)division. The injunction of secresy
was removed from it, and copies OF the
resolution ordered to be communicated
to the President, Secretary of War and
Adjutant General Thomas.
NEW York, February 22.-The Wash
ington correspondent of the Herald had
an interview with President johnson,
late last night, relative to the removal Oh
Secretary Stanton.
The correspondent remarked that
the country was surprised at his &C.
ton"
The President smiled, and inquired:
"Well, what do the people say? sup
pose they are surprised; but have only
done what l had determined upon long
ago"
Correspondent: "The removal, then,
is not in pursuance of recent deter
mination on your part Z?
President: mot at all, sir. The
people of the United States seem to have
mistaken my course altogether in this
matter. had never had but one deter
mnation on the subject, but / have acted
carefully, prudently and moderately
Perhaps l have been too slow about re-
moving Mr.. Stanton, but not because l
feared the bugbear of impeachment or
that / dreaded anything that Congress
might do. Nothing that body could at
tempt or carry out would intimidate or
surprise me. l know that they are
capable of doing anything. | de-
layed final action solely to let the
country see and understand the position
of Mr. Stanton. We first intimated to
him that we would like for him to with
draw from our privy council. He did
not take the hint We then requested
him to resign, to which he refused. We
then suspended him under the constitu-
tional power, which we have to suspend
or remove member of the
Cabinet. The act of suspension
was almost in conflict with
the Tenure of Office bill, though he did
not therefore recognize its constitution
atty. but as matter of courtesy we sent
the reasons for our action to the Senate.
That body pretended not to consider
those reasons sufficient, and assumed
to reinstate Mr.. Stanton in Office. Well,
we still waited, hoping that Mr.. Stanton
would see the proprieiy of resigning.
Gems. Sherman and Grant offered to 60
TO Stanton and advise him to resign.
Here is a letter which indicates what
they proposed:
WASHINGTON, January Is SATURDAY..
NEGLECTED. this morning to say that |
had agreed to 90 down to Annapolis to
snend Sunday with Admiral Porter
Gen. Grant has 10 leave for Richmond
Monday morning at six o'clock. AT a
conversation with General Grant at
Ter our interview / offered TO go
with him on Monday morning to Mr.
Stanton, and say il was our joint opinion
he should resign. 1t wss found impos-
sibIe. by reason Of his going TO Richmond
and my going to Annapolis The zen
eral says he will call on you tomorrow
and offer to 60 to Mr.. Stanton, and say
to him that, for the good OF the country,
be ought TO resign. On MONDAY 1
will call on you, and II you think II
necessary, will do the same Call on
Mr.. Stanton and tell him he should re-
sirn. III be will not, then twill be time
enough TO contrivc Interior measures
in the meantime, Il also happens that no
necessity exists for precipiia9fy IN the
matter. Yours, truly.
W. 7. SHEENF
The President thea continued alter
waiting g reasonable time.
ave thought Il proper to-day TO order
the removal Of Stanton, and appoint