The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-04-28
CONGRESSIONAL:
WASHINGTON, April q.
SENATE,

The Court opened at noon. The pend
ing question was stated to be the order
of Senator Edmunds that the official re-
porters be admitted to TIE secret SeS-
sion to take the debate on the final
question, to be reported with the pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Williams moved to amend by in
serting the following at the end: But
no Senator shall speak more than once,
nor to exceed fifteen minutes, during
such deliberations"
At the desire of Senator johnson rule
% was read.
Mr.. Howard moved to amend the
amendment by inserting after the words
Fifteen minutes" the words zone ques-
tion."
The amendment was rejected--l9 to
30.
Mr.. Bayard moved to amend Mr..
williams amendment by allowing 30
minutes instead of 10. Reiected-16 to
81.
On motion of Mr.. Howard, further
consideration of the subject was post
poned until after the argument is con-
cluded.
The additional rules offered by Mr..
until the close of argument. The Chief
Justice directed that the argument pro-
coed.
Mr.. Stevens mounted the Clerks desk
and read his argument in pretty firm
voice from printed slips. After about
ten minutes he took the chair and read
sitting. At eight minutes before one
his voice showed signs of weakness and
Nj. Butler read the remainder of the
argument.
Manager Stevens said he should dis
cuss that single article, the one that
was finally adopted upon his earnest
solicitation, and which, if proved, he
considered quite sufficient for the con-
viction of the distinguished respond
ent. He desired to discuss the charges
in no mean spirit or vituperation, but
argue them in a manner worthy of the
high tribunal before which he appeared
and of the exalted position of the ac-
cused. The trial of the Chief MaCis-
trate of the nation which was intensely
interesting to millions of men, could
not be belittled and reduced to mock
cry. When Andrew johnson took upon
himself the duties of office, he swore to
take care that the laws be faithfully
executed. The duties Of legislation and
the adjudication of laws fall in no way
TO his lot. To obey the commands of the
sovereign power of the nation and to
see that others obeyed, was his whole
duty. His attempt 10 escape that duty
will be misPrison of perjury. Mr..
Stevens said: | accuse him in the name
of the House of Representatives of
having perpetrated that foul offence.
Mr.. Stevens then reviewed the cues
tion of the Secretaryship of War, and
charged that the President bad plainly
and wilfully violated law which he
had sworn to see faithfully executed
Mr.. Stevens ridiculed the idea set up by
the respondent that the case did not
come under the tenure of Office law, be-
cause Stanton was appointed by Mr..
Lincoln; he claimed that by the Con-
stitution the Vice President when call
ed to the Presidency was not serving
out a new term of his own but only the
unexpired term of his predecessor.
In relation to the matter of intent.
Mr.. Stevens said IN impeachment more
than in indictment the ayerring of the
fact charged carried with it all that
was necessary to say about the intent.
He went further than some, and con-
tended that no corrupt or wicked mo-
tive need instigate the acts for
which impeachment is brought. 1t
was enough that they were the official
violation of the law. The President
Justlhed himself by asserting that all
previous Presidents had exercised the
same right of removing officers, but
there We're now express laws against.
30 the cases were not parallel. The
PRESIDENT said he removed Stanton to
test the constitutionality of the law.
he mad already seen it tested aud de-
ciaed oy votes twice given by two
thirds OF the Senators and House of
Representatives. 1t stood as a law
upon the statue book. Instead ofenfore.
ing that law, he took advantaCe
of the name and funds of the United
States to resist it and to induce Others
to resist it. The President asserted he
did not remove Stanton under the ten.
ure of office law. This was a direct
contradiction of his own letter to the
Secretary of the Treasury. How neces-
sary that man should have good con-
science or memory.
The President denies that he attempt
ed to prevent the execution of the ten
ure of office law, and yet in his cores
pondence with General Grant he re-
preached the General by the assertion
that he, the General, knew his object
was to prevent Edwin NJ. Stanton from
forthwith resuming the functions of his
once, notwithstanding the Senate
might decide in his favor. A question
of yeracity grew ont of this correspond
ences the President asserting that the
General had promised to aid him in de-
feating the execution of the laws by
preventing the immediate resumption