Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-24
LATE FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, February 22-Much ex-
element was occasioned throughout the
city this morning, owing TO the arrest OF
Gen. Lorenzo Thomas. on an affidavit
made by Secretary Of War ~ stanton.
General Thomas was admitted TO bail In
the sum Of $4,000, to appear before the
Superior Court Of the District of Colum-
bia, on the Oath instant About half-past
eleven o'clock am, General Thomas,
having been just released on bail by
Judge Carter, presented himself at the
door of the War Office, and told Stanton
that he would like to see him. Stanton
requested him TO proceed with anything
he had to say. General Thomas re-
marked that he "had come TO discharge
the duties Of Secretary of War ad inte-
rim, having been ordered to do so by the
President Of the United States"
Stanton replied that he could do no
such thing" and ordered him 70 his
room to perform his duties as Adjutant
General.
General Thomas replied, 81 have
been ordered by the President TO be Sec
retary of War dd interim, and l intend
| to be.
Stanton again replied that he should
not. and again ordered him to his own
room, and denied the power of the Pres
ident to make any such order.
| Thomas said he would not 60 and that
he should obey the order Of the Presi.
dent, and would not obey any order
| from Stanton.
Stanton said: Gas Secretary Of War,
/ order you to repair to your own place
as Adjutant Genera"
Thomas-"I shall not do So
Stanton" Then you may stay there as
long as you please, if the President or
ders you, hut you cannot act as Secre-
tary Of War"
Thomas-"I shall act as Secretary of
| War"
| Thomas then withdrew into room op-
posite, il being the general reception
room. Stanton Immediately followed
him, and, after some conversation, Stan
ton said:
"Then you claim to be here as Secre-
tary of War, and refuse to obey my or
ders."
Thomas do, sir, and shall require
the mail of the War Department to be
delivered to me, and shall transact all
the business of the War Department.
At this juncture General Grant and
an aid came in, and Grant said playfully
to Stanton: Friend, l am surprised to
| find you here; / supposed you would be
at my headquarters for protection"
The National Democratic Committee
held secret session at the rooms of Mr..
Belmont to-day, when it was decided to
hold the Convention at New York, on
the 4th of July.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, at ten
| minutes past two, rose to make report
| from the Committee on Reconstruction.
The Speaker admonished the specta-
| tors in the galleries and the members on
| the floor to preserve order during the
proceedings about to take place, and to
manifest neither appreciation or disap-
probation.
Mr.. Stevens said: / beg leave to make
the following report, that, in addition to
the papers referred to the Committee, we
| find that the President, on the 2lst day
| of February, 1868, signed or ordered a
commission or letter of authority to one
| Lorenzo Thomas, to act as Secretary OF
| War ad interim, and to take possession
of the books and papers and other public
property in the War Department, OF
which the following is copy:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, |
WASHINGTON, February I'll, 1908.
| To Brevet Major General Lorenzo Thomas,
Adjutant General U. s. Army:
SIR: The Hon Edwin M. Stanton hav-
ing been removed from Office as Secre-
tary of War, you are hereby authorized
and empowered to act as Secretary of
War ad interim, and will Immediately
enter upon the discharge of the duties
pertaining to that office. Mr. Stanton
has been instructed to transfer to you all
the records, books and papers and other
public property intrusted to his charge.
Respectfully yours,
(Siened) ANDREW JOHNSON.
An official copy was respectfully re-
ferred to Edwin Stanton.
TSigned1 LORENZO THOMAS,
Secretary of War dd interim.
Upon the evidence hereinafter pre-
sented, and in virtue of the powers with
which we have been invested by the
House, we are of the opinion that Andrew
johnson, President of the United States,
should be impeached for high crimes
| and misdemeanors," and we therefore
recommend to the House, the adoption
of the accompanying resolution:
TSigned1 THADDEUs STEVENS,
GEo. S. Boutwell,,
john A. BINGHAM,
f. c. BEAMAN
c. 7. HUBBARD,
j. F. FARNswoRTH,
II. G. PAYNE.
Resolued, That Andrew johnson,
President of the United States, be i'm
peached of high crimes and misde-
meauors.
The resolution was opposed by Brooks