Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-04-23

Following the announcement, there
was very earnest consultation among
the counsel, lasting some minutes, at
which it appears they decided to go in
and make all their points as intended
to be substantiated by the evidence of
the Cabinet members, all of whom, ex-
cept Mr.. Stanton, were present. There
were really four in number, of which
the one presented yesterday, and Just
voted on, was the first Counsel then
desired to show that members of the
Cabinet advised Mr.. johnson that, in
their opinion, the civil tenure act was
unconstitutional. 1t seems that the
Cabinet gave an opinion that the case
of Mr.. Stanton did not come within that
law. The third point was that some
Judicial test of the law should be had
by making up case upon favorable
opportunity, and the fourth, that the
President never said to any of his Cabi-
net he would use force in getting Stan
ton out.
These, in substance, were all In sue
eession, and each in succession ruled
out, by vote differing very little from
the first.
After the refusal to have the point in
volved in the fourth question inquired
about, the contest of counsel to get in
the evidence of Cabinet Ministers, clos
ed on the part of the counsel, and a
general feeling that the question over
which such a struggle had taken place
was settled, caused great sensation in
the Chamber.
Postmaster General Randall was
then called to discredit the testimony of
Foster Blodgett., who, as Postmaster
at Augusta, Ga, had been removed
and who was witness for the Mana
gers. Mr. Randall testified that he had
suspended Blodgett because it was re-
ported to him that he had been indicted
for perjury, and that the President had
nothing to do with it, and knew moth
ing about it. On the cross-examina-
ton, Mr.. Butler brought out the fact
very pointedly that Mr.. Randall had
violated the law. This, really, he ad-
mitted. saying he pleaded no statue. -
He had been guided by the law ofneces-
sity. He further admitted that he had
given Blodgett no notice of the charges
against him, nor any chance to defend
himself. Mr.. Randall presented his
official letters, of removal, but the in
dictment and other papers upon which
the charges were based, were not among
them. These he was directed to bring
Monday, and to come himself. The
facts, if brought out, will appear in a
bad light, for Randall, at least.
AT this point Senator Sherman, sent
up a question as a member of the
Court, which was in substance the
same as first asked Mr.. Welles, after
the opening of the Court, namely:
whether the Cabinet have discussed
and given an opinion upon the question
whether Cabinet members appointed by
Mr.. Lincoln, came under the terms of
the Tenure-of- Office law" This was
regarded as exactly the same kind Of
renewal or the hght over the CaDlnet
Minister'S testimony as occurred during
the examination of Gen. Sherman, and
so it was watched with great anxiety
and interest, but the result showed that
the Senate was firm, as it was ruled out
by no material change ofvote from that
first taken.
Upon this Mr.. Evarts announced
that the defense had all the members of
the Cabinet present to testify in regard
to all the points counsel had attempted
10 show by Secretary Welles, but as
they were ruled out, they now closed
the testimony for the defense, unless
some minor matters had been overlook
ed through Mr.. Stanbery's absence,
which they now knew nothing about.
The Republicans are jubilant tonight