Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1868-02-27
A NEW PLAY!

The following is anew Dialogue
Scene-Ofllce Of the Secretary ot
War. Charaeters-E. M. Stanton,
Secretary Of War; and Gen. Loren
20 Thomas, Adjutant General, U.
S. A. We give the following as we
find it in the Washington City tele-
grams to the Cincinnati Gazette OF
Monday:
GEN. THOMAS AGAIN DEMANDS THE
OFFICE.
1t was about II A. M. when bail
was finally obtained and the prison
er discharged. He went directly to
the White House, and at noon to-
day Gen. Thomas presented himself
at Mr., Stanton's private office in the
Department, where four or five
members Of the House were visit
ing. He seemed q little embarass-
ed, but directly remarked to Mr..
Stanton that he had been arrested.
eyes," said Mr. Stanton, 81 heard
you had"
Some little conversation about
the proceedings at Court followed,
and Gen. Thomas then said that he
had come by order of the President
to take possession Of the War De
partment as Secretary Of War ad
interim.
"You are not Secretary Of War
all Mteyim," said Mr.. Stanton, "but
Adjutant General of tho Army, and
your place is down stairs.
Gen. Thomas again said he had
came by orders Of the President to
take possession Of the office.
Mr. Stanton again responded that
hewas not Secretary al interim, and
that he would not allow him to eX-
ercise the duties of the office.
To this Gen. Thomas replied that
he was acting in obedience to posi-
tive orders of the President. He
then went across the hall into Gen.
Schriver's office, and soon sent
word that he would like to see Mr..
Stanton privately a few moments.
The Secretary went in, and Mr..
Thomas O third time said his direct
instructions from the President
were to take possession of the office,
and exercise the functions Of Secre-
tary ad interim.
Mr.. Stanton third time respond
ed that he would not be allowed to
do anything of the kind, adding that
he would do well to return to his of
flee and go about his duties as Ad-
jutant Geneaal.
Gen. Thomas said he could not
do this.
Mr. Stanton answered with pro-
found courtesy, "The AGutant Gen
eral can certainly situp here as long
as he pleases,"
Gen. Thomas then said it was his
further duty to demand possession
of the books and the days mail.
Mr.. Stanton made reply: "And
it's my further duty, as Secretary of
War, to inform you that the only
books and mails you can touch are
such as strictly belong to the Adjn-
tant General"
Gan. Thomas next suggested that
he might be obliged to issue an or
der that Mr.. Stanton should not be
recognized as Secretary Of War.
Mr.. Stanton replied, 81 have al
ready ordered that you shall not be
recognized by anybody in the De
patment, except us Adjutant Gen
cral Of the Army, and it is entirely
useless to talk further about your
acting as Secretary Gd interim. l
refuse to surrender my office to you,
no matter what your orders are, and
again repeat that your duties are
down stairs"
This ended the conversation about
official matters, and General Thomas
soon left the Department for the
White House. The interview be-
tween Mr., Stanton and himself was
rather formal at first, but was en-
tirely courteous on both sides
throughout.