Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-04-08
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.
WAsnrNarox, March 30.


the nex branch Of the case.
Mr.. Wilson then read the oath of Office Of
President johnson, as certified by the acting
Sccrcnr, of State, followed by the nominu-
tion of Mr. Stanton as Secretary Of War,
uud Mr. Cameron %. Minister Go Russia, and
the certificates of their confirmation by ihe
Senate
Mr.. Wilson next commenced 10 read copy
Of President johnson communication 90 the
Senate ON the 18th OF Dec lsGf. giving his
reasons for having suspended Nc Stanton.
a. 3 20 on motion of Mr. Sherman, the
Chief Justice adjourned the Senate sitting
for the trial of impeachment until tomorrow,
anl vacated ths chair
ItEsp,Y. March 81
The Impeachment court assembled at T.
Mr. Wilson arose aud continued Offering evil
dcnce. 70 Support article thc dllh. heoAercd
% copy of the resolution ot tho Senate lclp-
ing to concur in the President suspension.
TO he Gth he offered thc correspondence of
tha President 60 Mr.. stanton and Con. Tnom-
a- ordering the Former io deliver over 90 the
latter the war office 9Th, an extract from
Che Journal of the Senate showing the proc
cccdug- OF the Senate in executive session
.ou reception Of the Presidents message, re-.
moving Mr. Stanton .nl appointing General
Thomas Sth. a copy OF the commission VI
Mr. Stanton a- Secretary Of war
Mr.. Butler then arose aud directed that
the first witness, Mr. II. j Mcdonald chief
clerk ia the Senate De called
lle appeared aud took the oath. llc tcsti-
fed that he left certified copies of the action
of the Sumie on Stmions removal at the eX-
o,utive mansion.
John Jones, stationary clerk of the Senate,
was then called aud testified that Doe delivered
10 Gen Thomas a copy OF the action OF The
Senate on Nir Stutou'- removal at O na--
qucrale ball. about ! | O'Clock d, night
Mr.. Crcecey, appointment clerk of the
treasury department then testified as to the
difference between the commissions used be-
ior, and after the passage OF the tenure of
office act
Mr. Stanbery arose and asked Mr. Butler
the meaning Of the testimony of this witness.
Mr. Butler replied hy saying that tho
board Of managers expected TO prove by thC
{ different commissions used IN thc treasury de-
partmcnt before aud after the passage of the
tenure of office act, that the president had
Z ordered the treasury department 20 rceogniz,
{, as valid thi. act.
Burt Van Horn, mcmberof Congress from
4 New York was next called and sworn Ill
+ was examined hy Cen Butler regarding th,
/ interview on the 22d of February between
Z Gen Thomas and Secretary Stanton, when TIA,
e War department was demanded NY the former
/, which has already been published.
e Several other members were examined, in
I, cluding James X Morehead, member of th,
J. House, who testified that he was present viii
the witness last sworn, at the department "a
the time referred to. Walter A. Burleigh
delegate from Dacotah was then called an,
esainined Mr Stanhary wanted 10 know tn
f object of this examination as to the conyersa
d ton between the witnesses and Gen. Thomas
s. Mr. Butler replied endeayoring to show tina
q the intent and purpose of Thomas was to tax
q possession Of the war department by force.
M Walter A. Buleigh was examined next b.
Gen. Butter regarding his intimacy with Gen
y Thomas. Mr.. Stanbery objected to the que.
Z tion by Mr. Butler The Chief Justice re
marked that the question was not admissible
Senator Drake at once arose and submitie
question OF order as TO whether the Chic
Justice should decide at such time withou
. submitting the question to the Senate.
The Chief Justice decided that he had sue
* * a right
b Senator Drake appealed from the dccisio
&. Of the Chair, giving his reasons therefor
d, when Senator johnson objected to debate.
IN Gen. Butler rose at this moment the Chi,
y, Justice remarking that the managers had
40 right to debate question and that Senator
had not.
Gen Butler then proceeded 10 argue th
point, the excitement all over the chamber b'
ing marked, giving very clearly and lucidl
b, his point and stating that he was glad III
question had arisen
20 The Chief Justice was composed and oii.
al- perturable couutenance during Gen Butler
remarks, seeming to pay little attention to I'll
I'd argument, aud giving the appearance of hay
er ing made up his mind ON question whic
's er was evidently not new to his consideration.
on The Chief Justice then rose to put the que
al ton as to whether his decision should stan
x as the Judgment of the Court.
I'd Mr. Drake rose 10 restate his point, an
was called to order several times by the Chit
Justice, amid some excitement
l., The Representatives who fringed the Sci
-e ra. ate rose from their seats and every one al
m, peared impressed with the idea that the tur
M, aa ing point Of the case had been reached.
s9@q, Mr.. Conkling required the reading Of Il
he 9TH rule, which followed
eGiI Mr. Bingham held that the question VI
ng- settled by the Constitution itself, and argu'
IT IT at some length to sustain his position. /
closed by stating the question involved.
Mr. Wilson moved that the Senate reti
for consultation. Several Senators exclaime
h. "No, no."
or- MIR. Sherman presented a paper asking tn
''1ni5i the managers state the United States prec
~ dents ON the point in impeachment cases.
e@9 Mr. Boutwell,, earnest, eloquent and efie
to tive, spoke for some time in support of d
position assumed by the managers citing pr
TTp cedents and giving many new and interestil
as facts and ideas.
ter Mr. Bingham followed, reading from ma
uscript many citations from English prec
dents.
Gen. Butler in reply to Senator Shelmal
q demand fer United States preeedents, re
ict, from the rules regulating the Court at I
,,r. trial of Judge Chase, and from the testimo
pre-, of MIR. HAY which was similar to the poi
gqG itpl raised upon Gen. Butler in his question
,c. ,he witness
said AID Mr. Evarts urged that the Presidents COZ
nSgr Ss sci should submit toany rules regularly odol
,tiee ed.
wIt ,ont The Chief Justice then ordered the ealli
at of the roll, ON Mr.. Wilson's proposition
how how retire for consultation, the vote reNultil
oalG ayes % nays %. Being tie vote.
Chief Justice recorded his vote in the eihr
&C. atiye, and the Senate retired to the Mar
Room.
's Among those who voted with the Den
'N' Gratis in the affirmative were Messrs. Anthol
. an, n Edmunds, Grimes, Morrill, of Maine, Nor
4 ao, of Vermont, Patterson of New llampsh
tie Pomeroy aud Wilson. .,
WAsuINaroN, March 81
IN Of Our yesterdays report closed with
iOnt- ca,ato rat;rad Car consultation which clO
at quarter past six. The Chief Just