The Van Buren press., 1868-04-17
FROM WASHINGTON.
WAsHINGrnN Anril Z

time.
Thus far fourteen witnesses have been
summoned by the defence in the Impeach.
mert trial and nearly all have arrived
From St Louis, George Knapp, Barton
Able, Daniel G. Taylor, Geo, W. Ford
and III. Z. Zeider have been summoned to
testify relative to the Presidents speech
delivered there in Sept 18th, 1866 Mr.
Able and Mr. Zeider only are here Mr.
Stanbery to-day made preliminary cx.
animation of Gen. Shermsn's evidence.
The defeat of negro suffrage in the Con.
stitution of Michigan has caused more
surprise and comment In Congressional
and political circles than the Democratic
triumph in Connecticut for the reason
that the Congressional policy was the di-
rect issue. The sdvices received from
Republican quarters led to the belief that
the Constitution would be ratified by a
very decided majority. I<..5
For the first time for years the privi-
lege Of a member of Congress was plead
ed in the courts to-day in case of debt.
Gov. Sprague, of Rhode Island, pleaded
his privilege as Senator against his late
gardener, who sued him for debt.
Judge Underwood has ordered jeff.
Davis to appear in Richmond at the May
term of the District Court, when his trial,
it is asserted here to day, will positively
commence Chief Justice Chase will pre-
side at the Court
Gen. Butler desired to have Gen. Grant
subppnaed as witness before the Senate
but Gen Logan objected, charging that
Buffers purpose was to enable the coun-
sci for the President - to tear him to
pieces as it is expressed. To prevent
Butler from carrying out his design, a
resolution was offered and adopted by the
Managers, that no witness should be cal.
led until authority for the same should
first be obtained by vote Of the Mana
gers. HEa.t .i" .'t..|
The report OF a conciliation between
Grant and Butler is entirely unfomded.
An opinion was delivered reversing
the Judgment of the Circuit Court of Lou
isiana, and reaflirming the Legitimacy of
Mrs. Gen. Gaines, and confirming her in
all her rights Of property in that State
PORTLAND, Me-, April l.
One hundred guns were fired this eve
ming in honor OF the Democratic victory
in Connecticut. ...
Ig.f...h ..u WASHINGTON, April 7.
The Court of Impeachment opened at
twelve clock m. The Chief Justice in
quired whether the Managers had any
further evidence to introduce, Butler re
sponded in the affirmative. The reading
of the Journal was dispensed with and
Butler on the part of the Managers, then
called up Mr. T. II. Ward, who was
sworn. Butler stated that he designed to
prove by this witness the Presidents hos
tility to Congress. Mr.. Ward then stated
that he was from Alabama, and had serv-
ed in the Union army and on December
IS, 1866, he called on the President seek
ing employment and the President told
him that he could do nothing for him, as
his influence was on the side Of Congress
and those he appointed must be with
him Foster Blodgett testified that he
was appointed Postmaster at Augusta,
Georgia, in 1865, and was suspended in
1866 by the President, but did not know
whether the Senate had been notified CT
this actiou or not The letter of General
Thomas accepting the appointment as
Secretary of War ad interim was thenp
in as evidence and Butler gave notice that
the Managers would file certificates of the
proper officers to show that there were
no reasons for the suspension of Blodgett
ever sent to the Senate. Mr.. Curtis then
arose and commenced an opening argu-
ment for the defense in alluding to the
character Of the trial and the oath taken
by the Senators and capacity of the
Judges. He said the only appeal he
should make would be to the conscience
and reason of every Judge, basing his ar
gument solely on questions Of law and
fact, and intimated he would subsequent
ly contest the position taken by the Man
ayers, that this body was not essentially
or in fact court; but at present, he
would consider the articles separately
their order and substance. The gravamen
of charges contained in the first article
were, that Of the removal of Stanton, and
items intended to be violation of the
Tenure Of office act and the Constitution.
He then argued to show that the case Of
Stanton did not come within the scope of
the provisions of the Tenure. Of Office act !;
maintaining that the description Of his
Office and its tenure differed materially in
its sections and provisions. That Stan
ton was appointed by President Lincoln,
in 1862, to hold Office during the term
for which he was elected, and not to hold
during subsequent term for which he
might be elected 1t could not be said
that President johnson is serving out
President Lincoln's term, for no time for
which President is elected is not abso
lutely for four years, but is limited by
life; and also that his conditional term
expiring as Vice President, he succeeds
TO new term, which consists Of the re
mainder Of the term for which the vice
President was elected. AS well might it
be said one sovereign served out the