The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-04-01
c ngrsssional Proceedings.
Progress of the Tmpeach-
Is ment Trial.
The Examination of Wit
n6sses Commenced.

and the members of the House took
their places. The Presidents cOun-
sci also entered and took seats. The
galleries were half full.
Wilson offered documentary evil
dence, including the Senate's resolu-
ton of January 18th, and an extract
from the Senate Journal, showing
the action of the Senate thereon; also,
a copy Of Stantons commission from
President Lincoln, under which only,
said Wilson, Stanton claims to hold
office.
w. J. Mcdonald was called, and
attested to the notification of the
President of the action Of Congress,
and also attested to the service of the
resolutions Of non-cOncUrreuce In the
removal of Stanton by the President.
J. w. Jones, Deputy Marshal of
the Supreme Court, was sworn. He
testified that he had known General
Lorenzo Thomas for six years, and
had served upon him the summons of
the District Supreme Court, on the
2lst of February, ABOUT IL o'clock at
night, and made return, which was
read
The resolution Of the Senate, that
the President had no power to remove
Stanton, was then read.
Ocreery, an appointment clerk in
the Treasury Department, was sworn,
and testified to the form Of the ap-
pointment used In the Department
prior to March, 1867.
Senators complained Of not hear
ing, and Butler offered to repeat what
he said, but Evarts said he preferred
to hear the witness himself.
Stanbery inquired what was the
object Of listening.
Butler replied that it was to show
that. after the passage of the Tenure
of-office Act, the President signed
a different form of commission, made
in accordance with the said act, there
by recognizing its binding force and
legality. The witness testified to the
changes indicated, which were read
by Secretary FOrney. The words
stricken out were " during the pleas
ure of the President for the time be-
ing" The form of commission for
Treasury appointments were also pro-
duced, and witness testified to the
striking out Of the same words as
above quoted, and the substitution in
their place Of the word, unless this
commission be sooner revoked by the
President of the United States for the
time being" The commission issued
to Mr. Cooper, Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury, on November 20, 1867,
was produced.
Mr.. Butler, continuing to examine,
asked if the session was then in ses-
sion? Witness said he thought not;
and in answer to another question,
said Mr.. Cooper did not qualify un-
der that commission, but under an
other-which was then read.
Butler then called for the reading
of the letter Of authority given to Mr..
Cooper by the President on Decem-
Der ID; the witness testified that Mr.
Chandler resigned, he thought, a day
or two before the date Of this letter.
Cross-examined by Curtis, witness
stated that when the change IN the
form of the commission was m ade, it
was the 9th of March, 1867.
Burt Van Horn, member of the
House of Representatives stated that
he was present at the War Depart
ment on Saturday, the 22d day Of
February, 1868, at two minutes past
4
demanded of Stanton the possession
Of the Office Of Secretary of War. He
testified that Gen. Thomas, after ex-
changing salutations with those pres
ent. said to Stanton: [ am Secretary
of War ad interim appointed and au-
thorized by the President to take pos
session of this office Stanton or
dered him to repair to his room and
L. Il A y
tant General. which he refused to DO,
saying that he int nded TO exercise
the functions of Secretary of War.
aud would receive the mails of
the Department Stanton told him
he would DO 50 at his peril. Thomas
left the room, and witness last saw
him in the room Of General SchriveT.
On cross examination by Stanbery,
witness said be went there to pay a
visit TO Stanton; not on public Dusl-
ness: was accompanied by Messrs.
Morehead and Clark; did not know
what their business was; dld not
state what they went for. He was not
IL the habit Of taking memoranda OF
conversations was prepared by hay-
ing d large envelope in his pocket; no
one requested him TO do it was
about a minute after Thomas left the
roOm that Stanton followed him, be
I fore he reached the room. He heard
Z the conversation going on between
! Stanton and Thomas. Did not un-
derstand what was said. Did not
know where the envelOp was on
I which he took the memoranda; 1t was
! probably destroyed. He said he weat
with Stanton to Schriver's room, and
] VIZ rennested hv Stanton to take no