The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-03-31
The Impeachment Matter.

agreement, the u. . senate resolved Itself 1nt(
an Impeachment Court.
The Presidents counsel appeared, when Nj
| Davis submitted motion that the Senate, az
constituted, did not constitute the Impeachment
Court contemplated by the Constitution-tel
States without their consent being ignored
Judge Chase intmated that the Court was
ready fer the Presidents answer. Mr. Stanbery
said it was ready, but the counsel had devoted
every hour allowed, ignoring private business and
encroaching on habitual refreshment and re-
creation, to It's preparation. Messrs. Curtis
Stanbery and Evarts each read in turn the an,
swer to the first article.
The President argues all the questions involved
and his duty under the circumstances claiming
his constitutional power of removal.
He considers the organization Of the War De-
partment, and the relations Of the Secretary Of
War to his administration, claiming him as his
constitutional adviser, and showing the Presi-
dents responsibility for the Secretary actions
He shows that Stanton had become hostile to the
administration, and ould no longer occupy the
position towards the administration contemplated
| by the fathers, and that the President could no
longer assume the responsibility Tor his actions.
He further claims that the action of the Senate
did not restore Stanton to the War Office but that
the War office was technically vacant when he
!
dents were quoted at length to sustain this posi-
ton. He denies having or intended violating
the Constitution or laws.
Answering the I'd Article, the President as
serts, at length, that the War Office was vacant
and quotes laws to sustain Thomas appointment
The answer to the Sd is general denial
In answer to the 18th he denies any conspiracy
whatever His action was confined to the notes
to Thomas and Stanton, appointing one and re-
moving Tie ether
In answer to the 9TH 9th and 9TH, the same
allegations occur-all backed by the assertion
that he had object, whatever, but 70 maintain
the prerogatives Of his Office by legal means.
Answering the 8th, he disavcws any intention
OF taking possession of the money or property Of
the War cfice, and again insists, by argument
illustrations and precedent, that he acted in
constitutional manner
Answering the 9th article, he quotes the in
tcryiew at length and his protest against the
rider to the army appropriation bill. in which lie
claims that it deprived him Of his constitutional
duty Of commanding the army
In answering the 10th article, the President
denies that the specification gives the truth in
verblge, statement or argument, in quoting from
his speeches. and, III case the Senators entertained
the charges, he demands full investigation of
what he said and meant. In this answer the
President claims, in spirit somewhat defiant
his freedom Of speech. He claims that though
President, he is an American citizen.
Answering the 11th Article. he claims that
he cannot answer it, because it desi~nates no de-
sign device or attempt involving action, which
could be constrained high misdcmeanor
The President retains the right to add to this
answer.
The Managers on the part of the House an
nounccd that their replication would be ready
next day at 10 o'clock
The Presidents counsel asked thirty DAYS
which was refused by vote of II to la strict
PARTY vote.
y motion to postpone fixing the time until
after replication by the House, failed.
Senator johnson moved to allow ten DAYS
anendatory to the motion from the Presidents
counsel for reasonable time; but the Court and
Senate adjourned.
TUESDAY, March 9th.
At the usual hour, the impeachment proceed
lnes began The Journal was read and the re-
}ication submitted. Judge Chase said that bus
mess Was IN order. Mr. Johnson's motion. allow
ing the President ten days for preparation, was
considered
Mr. Sumner submitted substitute that the
trial proceed. Mr. Edmonds moved that the
Senate retire. Sumner, Howard, and others.
cried: no! no.
Mr. Conkling called tho yeas and nays on re-
firing, with the following result:
leas-Messrs. Anthony Bayard Buckalcw. |
Corbett, Davis, Dixon, Doolittle Edwards. Fes- |
sender, Fowler, Frelinehuysen, Grimes, Hcnder |
son, Hendricks, Howe. johnson, McCreerv, Nor |
rill of Maine, Morrill, of Vermont. Morton. Nor |
ton, Patterson Of New Hampshire. Patterson of
Tennessee. Salisbury, Sprague Van Wrinkle,
ickers, Wiley and Williams-29
Aays-lIcssls. Cameron, Cattel Chandler
Cole, Conkling, Conncss, C-agin Drake, Ferry,
Harlan: Howard, Morgan, Nye, Ramsay, Ross,
sherman Stewart, Thayer, Upton, Trumbull,
Wilson and Iates-23
The Senate then retired and remained out two
hours, and on returning ordered the trial to COM
nonce on Monday, the Both inst, to which day
he Court adjourned.