The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-04-29
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, April %.
SENATE.


the Senate upon the trial of impeach-
ment. When that has been reaa, II
there be any objection, l VIII ask tnat
it 90 over until the close OF the argu-
ment and take its place with otner mat
tsrs that will come up " tnat time.
The amendment was read as follows:
WHEREAS, 1t is provided in the Con-
stitution of the United States that on
the trial of impeachment by the Senate,
No person shall be convicted without
the concurring two-thirds Of the mem-
beers present; but this requirement of
two-thirds is not extended to the judg-
ment in such trials, which remains sub
iect to the general law that q majority
prevails. Therefore, in order to remove
any doubt thereupoh, it is ordered that
any question which may arise With re-
gard to Judgment shall be determined
By majority of the members present.
Mr.. Davis objected. -......s
The Chief Justice said, alt win lie
over"
Manager Williams then. at l2:l5, re-
sumed his argument. After rScapitn-
lating his position of yesterday, he took
up the subject of the Presidents alleged
justification by reason of advice given
him by his Cabinet. He held that the
President could not shield himself be-
hind the opinions of his own creatures,
whose sentiments were prompted by fear
of losing their positions. He charae-
terized the Cabinet in its newly assum-
ed functions as fungus growth which
sought to make itself a directory. He
argued that if members Of Cabinet
were Intended to advise the President
on general policy iand shield bin from
responsibility FOR his actions they woGid
have been mad9 ino"Dendent OF his con-
troll. He claimed that the President
had failed to show any sufficient cause
for his desire to remove Mr.. Stanton.
True no was a thorn in his side, but so
was Congress and so was Grant and
every loyal man.
Mr.. williams held that the wantor
removal of meTItoriOus officer, from
motives of personal dislike, is Of sufi-
cient warrant for impeachment. He
referred to the Presidents failure to
commence legal proceedings, which he
maintained would not have suited his
purpose to have an interregnum wherein
his own will would be supreme. He
then gave satiriCal and humorous
description of his conduct Ill reference
to General Thomas on the Dist and 22d
of February, including his appearance
ut the masquerade. With regard to the
get up by the President that he has a
right to resist and bring TO judicial de-
cision laws that he considers uncOnsti-
tutional, Mr.. Williams maintained that
no provisions of the Constitution re-
anired such confirmation, and that
extreme cases of unconstitutional laws
were not supposable. He would admit
that the Senate is now sitting as a
Court, but it is a Court holding Cxclu-
sive jurisdiction which could decide this
whole matter according to its own ideas.
1t was guided but DOT bound by prece-
dents and laws.
Mr.. Williams then argued that the
suspension of Mr.. Stanton was made
under the tenure Of Office law, which
the President thereby recognized. He
then maintained that the averment Of
evil intent was hot necessary. In this
case, as in all others, it was inferred
from the act itself. Comparing the con-
duct of Mr. John SON. with that of James
see whether the parallel would be COM
pleted. He cOntenGcd that, for the
safety of the people, the supreme law
was the only law by which this case
should be- properly tried. 1t was belit-
tied by trivial and impairment legal
techuicaiities, and he heSought the SEN
ate to take larger view i'll regard to
the 18th article. He had not the heart
to dwell upon the disgracelul conduct
which formed its subject. II the PrcSi-
dent, like his counsel, made merry over
it, ho could only say that Nero tiddied
while Rome was burning" and that one
culprit wonld find in the Senate a CEN
sor more stern than Cato.
In conclusion, he said tie result Of
the trial would determine whether the
President or Senate would 90 down, and
depicting series of fearful coRSe-
quences that would follow from acqut-
tai, he contrasted with glowing pic
ture of the peace, prosperity and happi-
ness to result frsm the Presidents con-
viction.
The Senate took recess.
On reassembling, Mr.. Butler asked
leave to make a personal explanation
in regard to the Alta Vela matter re-
ferred to by Mr.. Nelson, and read a
written statement, in which he con-
demned in very severe terms the intro
ductiou by Mr.. Nelson OF assertions and
destinations unsupported by the evil
dence aud irrelevant 10 the case, and
went on to relate the circumstances of
his connection with tic matter. lie
stated that he gave Mr.. Shaetier an
opinion on the Alta Vela claim before
impeachment was decided on or before
the President committee tho act which
gave rise to it, and had never heard of
it afterwards until published in the
New York papers. Dir. Logan also
signed 1t, but other signatures were
offered to the copy of his opinion long
after the original was given to tue
President. Neither he nor auy of the
other Managers had any interest in the
Alta Vela claim. The signatures were
sent to the President in order To sup
port him in doing what he had already
declared his intention of doing.
Mr.. Butler then read the affidavit of
Chauncey +. Black, and Mr.. Shaeifer,
cOrroborating these assertions.
Mr.. Nelson, by permission, replied and
reminded the SeEate that the topic was
not introduced by himself, and claimed
he had a right to vindicate bis client
from the asperSions cast upon him by
the other side. He had brought no ac-
cusations against the Managers aud
contended warmly that the imputation
made against him just now was unjusti-
fable and outrageous. He had supposed
that the original opinion was dated like
the copy, and asked why he had not been
corrected when he read the letters If
allowed he would reproduce them to-
morrow aud would show that the addi-
tional signatures were made afte: the
trial had commenced, and were used by
Judge Black to influence the President.
In the course of his remarks, Mr.. Nell
son was called to order by Messrs. Yates
and Logan stating the signatures were
affixed before impeachment commenced.
Mr.. Nelson said the letter would
show.
Mr.. Evarts, at $3.50, rose and address
ed the Senate and the Chief Justice in
behalf of the President. His opening
remarks had reference to the grave char
aotar nf tha 40 uSa aud tbo ;,s...s,...:t .I..-