The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-02-27
EXECUTIVE MANSION, !


thority vested in me as President by the
Constitution and laws of the United
States, you are hereby removed from of
fee as Secretary of War, and your func-
tons as such will terminate upon the re-
celpt OF this communication. You will
transfer to Brevet Mai. Gen. l.. Thomas,
AdJusant General of the Army, who has
this day been authorized to act as Secre-
tary OF War, ad interim, all records, books
papers, and other public property now in
your custody and charge. Respectfully
yours, ANDREW JOHNSON, President.
To Hon. +. NJ. STANTON.
ACTION BY THE SENATE.
The Senate, few minutes after 9
clock went into executive session, and
| continued therein seven hours The
matter OF the removal was fully discuss
ed, and with much spirit, in secret ses-
sion.
Mr.. Edwards offered resolution. for
which MIR. Wilson offered substitute, as
follows:
WHEREAS The Senate has re, ,ived and consd.r.d
the communication of the President, stating that he
has removed Edwin NJ. Stanton Secretary of War
and had designated the Aduant General OF the army
to act as Secretary of Var dd interim, therefore
Resotrcd, BY the Senate of the United States that
under the Constitution and laws of United States
remove
OF War, and designated any other officer perform
the duties OF that office.
This substitute was agreed to without
division
The injunction of secresy was removed
from it, and copies of the resolution were
ordered to the President, the Secretary
Of War, and Adjt. Gen Thomas.
Soon after the Senate went into execu-
tive session, Il committee consisting of
Senators Cameron, Chandler, Cattell and
Ihayer, proceeded to the War Office and
informed MIR. Stanton that pending the
action of the Senate, it was the desire of
that body that he retain the Office and dis
regard any orders OF the President to the
contrary. Mr.. Stanton indicated his
! compliance with their wish 1t is not,
therefore, as reported this evening, true,
that Mr.. Stanton made no objection 10
Adjutant General Thomas. entering upon
the duties of Secretary of War 1t is
true, however, that General Thomas
showed to Mr.. Stanton his order of ap-
polntment from the President and to
this the General received respectful but
not satisfactory reply.
The Senators aboye named. after leav-
Ing Mr.. Stanton, had an interview with
Gen. Grant, relating to him their conver-
satlon with Mr.. Stanton, and suggesting
their views as to what his conduct should
be in the premises. They express them
selves entirely satisfied with Gen. Grant S
position regarding the matter
ACTION BY THE HOUSE.
MIR. Washburne, of H., moved that
the correspon lcnce (above given) be re-
ferred to the Committee on Reconstruc-
TO
Agreed to.
Mr.. Butler said-I move the order of
the House by which. the session of to-
morrow was assigned to general debate,
be rescinded. The reason [ have for
asking its rescinsion, is the communica-
ton made to this House by the Secretary
of War. We have now two Secretaries
OF " ar: one by law, and one by usurpa-
ton.
Mr.. Eldridge made the point of orde,
that the motion was not debatable, and
the Speaker so decided
The House proceeded to vote by yeas
and nays, on the motion to reconsider
the vote ordering the session tomorrow
for debate. and it was reconsidered by
l04 to 49-a strict party vote.
Mr. Covode, as question of privilege,
offered the following resolution
Pesolred That Andrew johnson President of the
United States, be impeached for high crimes and
misdemeanors Laughter among Democratic mem
bers.
Mr. Wood objected to the introduction
Of the resolution
The sneaker stated that the resolution
| was question of privilege.
MIR. Boutwell, moved reference of the
resolution to the Committee on Recon-
struction, which was agreed to.
INCIDENTS AT THE WAR OFFICE.
The first intimation which Mr.. Stanton
had of his second suspension from office
was at noon. Gen. Thomas entered his
room and presented the President order
A good natured conversation ensued,
during which Mr. Stanton said to Gen.
Thomas. ''Do you want me to vacatc at
once p Gen. Thomas replied, "Oh, no.
l have notified the President cf my ac-
ceptance of the Office. You can get your
private papers together, and turn over
the Department to me, say, tomorrow
morning
At $50 p. H., Secretary Stanton sent
a message to the House of Representa-
tives, simply stating that he had just re-
celved from the hands of Adjutant Gen
eral Lorenzo Thomas an order from the
President appointing the latter Secretary
of War dd INTERIM, and directing Mr.
Stanton to turn over all the records and
books of the Department to Gen Thomas.
Mr.. Stanton merely submitted the order
to Congress, and does not indicate any
action on his part.
Mr.. Stanton wrote letter tonight, to
Vice President Wade. stating that he
intended to hold on to the War Depart
mcnt.
At 10 p. m. tonight Mr.. Stanton still
retained possession of the War Depart
ment He was in his room, surrounded
by a few friends, and expressed his de
termination to hold on During the
evening he received letters from Senator,
Howard, Wilson and Summer. beggine
him to hold on.
MIDNIGHT.-An important movement
has been made, late tonight, in the
Johnson-Stanton Thomas imbroglio. Ap
plication was made on oath before Chiel
Justice Carter, of the Supreme Court O
this district, for the arrest of Gen. Thom
as, for violation of the Civil Tenure law
I At first the Judge did not think he hae
the power; but on looking over the Law
he became convinced to the contrary
and decided to issue the " It. Gen
Thomas will probably be arrested in the
morning, by virtue of tic fifth section O
| che Civil Tenure law.