Evening star., 1868-04-27
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons PROCEEDINGS.
Impeachment.
DISCUSSION OF THE RULES.
ARGUMENT OF HON. THaD. STE.
VEINS.
ARGUMENT OF MANAGER WILL
LIAMS.
MONDAY, April %.

MONDAY, April %.
SENATH-The Court Of Impeachment was
opened this morning in due form.
The Chief Justice then announced the first
question TO be ON the motion of Senator Ed
munds to admit the Official reporters TO the de.
nberat1ons OF the Senate upon the final ques-
cluded, so That the debates may be reported in
the proceedings
Senator Williams moved to amend that no
Senator shall speak longer than IS minutes or
more than once during the deliberation.
J. Senator johnson asked for the reading of the
13d rule by which it appeared that each Sena.
tor was restricted 10 Is minutes on each article.
Senator Howard moved TO amend by provid
ing that no Senator shall speak longer than Is
minutes or more than once on any one ques-
ton, which was disagreed TO as follows
leds-Messrs. Bayard, Buckale W, Davs, Dix
on, Doolittle, Fessenden, Fowler, Frelnghuy.
sen, Grimes, Hendricks, Howard, johnson,
McCreery, Morton, Patterson, Tenn Sauls-
bury, Trumbull, Vickers, and Willey-ls.
Ndys-Messrs. Cameron. Cattell, Chandler,
Conkling, Corbett, Cragin, Drake, Edmonds
Ferry, Hariun, Henderson, Howe, Morgan,
morrlIl, (Me,) Morrill,, Vt, Patterson, N. H..)
Sumner, Thayer, Upton, Van Wrinkle, VIII
liams, Wilson, and Yates.-30.
Senator Bayard moved to amend that q Sem
ator shall speak longer than 30 minutes, which
was rejected, as follows:
feaS-Messrs Bayard, Buckalew, Corbett,
Davis, Dixon, Doolittle, Fessenden, Fowler,
Grimes, Hendricks, Johnson, McCreery, Nor
ers-I6.
Nays-Messrs. Anthony, Cameron, Catlett
Chandler, Conkling, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds,
Ferry, Erelinghuysen, Harlan, Henderson
Howard, Howe, Morgan, Morrill,, Mel Nor
rn (Nt), Morton, Nye, Patterson IN. HI
PCmeroy, Ross, Sherman, Stewart, Sumner
Thayer, Upton, Trumbnll,V Van Winkle, Wiley
Williams. Wilson and Yates-34
Senator Morton moved to postpone the fur
ther consideration of the subject until after the
argument ON the part OF the counsel and the
a m nQnar hall h.a na1,.
agreed to.
Senator Sumner then asked that the new
rules proposed by him on Saturday snail also
20 over until the close of the arguments: which
was agreed TO.
The Chief Justice then notified the Mana
gers TO proceed with the argument.
Mr. Manager Stevens then rose and proceed.
ed 10 read his argument. His voice was totally
inaudible in the galleries. After reading some
twenty minutes, Mr.. Stevens became too much
exhausted TO proceed, and the reading of his
argumement was continued by Mr. Butler
The argument is as follows:
MI. Stevens commenced by saying that he
would be brief in what he had to saw, and
would discuss but a single article-the one that
was adopted upon his earnest solicitation, and
which, if proved, he considered was quite suf-
hcient for the ample conviction Of the distin-
guished respondent, and for his removal from
office, which was the only legitimate object for
which this Impeachment could be instl-
Tilted. He would not discuss these ques-
lions IN q mean spirit Of malignity OF
manner worthy of this high tribunal and of
the exalted position of the accused. Whatever
may be thought of his character or condition
he has been made respectable, and his coudI-
ton has been dignified by the action of his fel.
low citizens. Railing accusation would there
fore ill become the occasion. To behold the
Chief Magistrate Oh n powerful people charged
with the betrayal OF his trust, and arraHned
Tor high crimes and misdemeanors, is alWays
an interesting spectacle.
Mr.. Stevens then proceeded 10 note and poins
fhn in
in this country ana In England, and then ad-
dressed himself TO the discussion Of the article
he suggested. When Andrew Johnson took
upon himself the duties Of his high sffice ne
swore TO obey the Constitution, and take care
that the laws be faithfully executed. To obey
the commands Of the sovereign power of the
nation, and to see that others should obey them
was ms whole duty, and any attempt to escape
from this would be a direct violation of his
Official oath; or, in other words, misprison of
perjury. Il accuse him." said Mr.. Stevens,
I'm the name of the House of Representatives
of having perpetrated that foul offence against
the laws and interests of this country"
Mr.. Stevens then referred to the tenure-of-
Once act and read its first section, and cited
length the original suspension of Mr.. Stanton;
his reinstatement by the Senate; the appoint
ment Of General Thomas, DC. He denied the
position assumed by counsel that Stanton did
not come under the tenure Of Office act, and ar
gued that Mr.. johnson was serving out Mr.
Lincolns term and not his own. If the latter
proposition is correct there seems to be no ar
r..
the law. The respondent in violation of the
tenuTe-of ce law appointed Gen. Thomas TO
office, and thus by the terms of the law itself
became guilty ofa high crime and misdemeanor
He (Stevens) disclaimed all necessity in a trial
OF impeachment TO prove the wicked or un-
lawful intention Of the respondent, and il is
unwise even to aver 1T. In impeachments more
than ia indictments the averring of the fact
charged carries with il all that is necessary 10
say about intent In indictments you charge
that the defendant, "instigates by the devii,"
"A -
the prosecution to prove the presence.
shape, and color of his majesty as to call
upon the managers in Impeachment to
prove intention He would 60 further
Than some, and contend that no corrupt or
wicked motive need instigate the acts for
which impeachment is brought. II is enough
that they Were Official violations of the law. A
mere accideptal trespass would not be suf-
ficient to convict but that W hich is voluntarily
done is wilfully done.
TAT this point Mr.. Stevens was unable to pro-
ceed further, and Mr.. Manager Butler was re-
quested 10 read his remarks
Mr.. Butler then reading from the manuscript
noted the fact that the President attempted tc
Justify himself by asserting that all previous
moving officers for cause 10 be Judged Of by the
President alone. The causes he contended
were no: parallel. because there was a law to
prevent Mr.. Stanton's removal. The President
says he removed Mr.. Stanton simply TO test the
consttutiOnality of the ten of f-ofYfce law by
judicial decision. He has already seen il
tcstu anu Dy Tic NOteS Twice given DIV
two-thirds OF the Senators and House of Rep
resentative. Instead of enforcing that law he
takes advantage of the name and funds of the
United States to resist It and to induce others
resist il. The President asserts i'm his ans wer
here that he dad not remove Stanton under the
tenure office act and yet in his comm unica-
tion 10 the Senate he says he did do
So Wretched man, A direct contradiction OF
his solemn answer. How necessary that a man
should have a good conscience or a good mem.
ory. Both would not be out of place. Has
il been proved, as charged in this article,
that Andrew johnson in vacation sus-
pended from Office Edwin NJ. Stanton with
out the advice and consent of the Senate;
did he report the reasons for such suspension
TO the Senate within twenty days from the
meeting of the Senate; and did the Senate pro-
ceed to consider the suficiency OF such rea.
sons Z If the Senate declared the rea-
sons insufficient, and he still persisted
in Mr.. Stantops removal, then the acts
and violations of law are full and complete
In the letter of 31st January, 1868, to General
Grant Mr.. Johnson fully declares his intention
upon this subject He distinctly alleges to the
General that his purpose WAS to violate the
do nothing to corroboi ate or to injure the char
acter OF a witness; but if Andrew johnson
be not wholly destitute Of ruth and q shame.
less falsifer then this article and all its
charges are clearly made out upon his own
evidence. But the President denies in his an
swer to the first and eleventh articles that be
had attempted TO contrive measures to ore.
vent the due execution OF the lav reRu.
lating the tenure Of certain civil ON cee or
had violated his oath to take care that the
laws be faithfully executed. In Thu. hoH.