New-York tribune., 1868-04-21
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL


yECRETARY RANDALL AGAIN on THE STAND
his REASONS FOR VIOLATION OF TN TN
LAw-GEORGE WASH1NGTONS COMMISSION
TIE MILITARY DIVISION OF InE 49, >H.r
TIC-THE TESTIMONY ALL Nm. i'' -.
WELLS ARGUMENT TO BE HEARD VN
WEDNESDAY.
~ SuHGKAPn TRIBUNE -. -
WASHINGTON April co. 1865.
Tbc Court of Impeachment was opened at II
o'clock this morning with the usuai lOrmahIles' III
eonsequence of the unprOpitous weather. the attend
apce in the galleries was not large as on some Of
the preceding days. The Managers and the House
of Representatives were consecutively announced.
Then came the tedious reading of the Journal, which
occupied 10 minutes after which Judge Curtis rose
and said that the counsel for the President consid
cred their side of the case closed. Mr. Bingham for
the Managers remarked that they might wish to ex-
nnine witnesses who had not been able to appear,
whereupOn Reverdy Johnson. in a rather querulous
manner, demanded whether the Managers Intended
TO examine witnesses after the commencement Of the
arguments. Mr.. Bingham replied, patronizngly,
that they did not, although they under the inn
preston that such privilege had been allowed in
similar cases.
Mr. Butler entered the Chamber at 11:2j, and conf
meuced the rebutting testimony It,was entirely
dOcumen tary. and not of vital Importance. Opening
a small volume the General said that Inc wished to
appointed by the first Congress TO draft commission
for George Washington as Lieutenant-General OF
the armies of the United States He then put IN the
commission itself, which the only form Ol com
mission ever used in this country except that III late
times the words During the pleasure OF tue
President have been substituted for the words
During the pleasure of Congress-" The next
evidence offered was a letter from the Treasury De-
partnlent showing that the practice IN making ap-
naiufmputS during recess OF the senate was not
what the defense had alleged 1t was letter writ
ten by James Guthrie, who was Secretary OF the
Treasury in ls55 declining TO make an appointment
during the to an office which had become va
cant during the session. Mr. Evarts, who sat IN his
chair and seemed very much detected asked 10 see
II. Gen. BntleT very courteOuSy consented TO SHOW
it to him. ut the same time walking over TO the Conn
sells table Mr. Lyarts disclameq all notion of favor
and theTeat utter arose on the floor and IN the gal
leTies. After perusng the paper Mr. Evars informed
the Senate that he had no objection and 1t Went
on the record. The learned Manager then made the
remark that POStmaster-Genera Randall had been
kind enough to send him the papers relating To foS-
ter BlOdgett, which he asked for few days ago.
Until this morning he had not had an opportunity 10
examine them. He concluded by requesting lew
minutes delay for that purpose. Leave was granted
and then followed an intermission OF five or SIX
minutes
Reyerdy johnson. Mr.. Morton, and Mr.. Conkling
improved the opportunity, and INDUCED in Il quiet
conversation, while the Presidents counsel put their
heads together, and consulted on the situation.
Mr. POstmaSter-General Randall then went on the
standhe last witness called on the trial. At II 40
Mr.. Butler read the Indictment tOun0 against MT
Blodgett which contained the old law phrase of mot
having the fear of God before his eyes and at the Ill
stgation of the devil" The charge was that he com
mtted perjury in taking the test oath, as he had
served in the Confederate army. Mr.. Butler then
asked Mr.. Randall whether Mr.. BlOdgett did not
send an answer TO the charge and if that was not
rOpy of il. handing him paper. lie replied with
profound indifference that II was a copy OF the pa
peTs on file Mr.. Butler proceeding 10 read IT
but Mr.. EvartS objected on the ground that it was
not relevant. Mr.. Butler again attempted TO read
the paper but the Chief Justice interrupted him and
said that he should put in writing what he proposed
10 prove.
Mr. Butler was not inclined to comply and again at
tempted 10 90 on saying that he should put II IN
writing after he had stated the ground of his proof
The Chief-Justice would not permit this and Mr.
Butler put the question in writing. as printed IN
another column. Mr.: Evarts spoke against ITS adj
mission, and Mr.. Butler replied. making complete
Vindication of Mr.. Bodgett. The question was sub
mitted to the Senate and il rejected by q major
jty. Among the II who voted for ITS reception were
those Senators who have generally so voted IN favor
Bf the Presidents counsel as 10 lead many persons 10
believe them TO be opposed TO impeachment, SUCH
for example Messrs. Anthony, Cole. Fessenden
Fowler. Crimes Henderson, Morton Ross Trumbull
Wiley and Van Wrinkle. The next evidence offered
was the order creating the Division of the Atlantic
which was introduced to show the Presidents mill
tary action the same day of the order, restoring
Thomas to the Adjutant-Generals office. Mr.. Eyarts
objected and the Chief Justice proposed to submit II
10 the Senate; but Mr.. Butler withdrew IT,
list Of the various officers who might be affected
by the claims of the President of the right to
pleasure, the number being nearly 1900 and their
allowed TO 90 on the record.
The Presidents message 10 the Senate nominating
Thomas 10 be Brevet Lieutenant-Generai was next
offered. This led to discussion between counsel and
at length it submitted TO the Senate and rejected
by n majority.
Immediately after this, at 1854 o'clock. Mr.. Butler
announced the for the House of Representatives
and the people of the United States against Andrew
johnson closed. Mr.. Evarts made the same
nouncement for the respondent. The Chief-Justice
then directed the Managers to proceed with their
guments. Mr. Boutwell, said that the duty of open
ing on the summing up devOlved on him, and he
expected to occupy an entire day he would ask the
Court to adjourn until Tomorrow. Mr.. Evarts
made brief allusOn TO the illness of Mr..
StanbeTy, and to the part which he to take in
the 1t was possible that if the Court should
grant two days intermissOn he might be able 10 at
tend Reverdy johnson moved an adjournment to
Thursday but hearing the voices of several Sena-
tors. demanding Wednesday he modified u 10 that
day. and II was agreed TO. Mr.. Logan made an at
tempt To get his speech the record, and order
Was submitted To that effect but, objection being
made by Senator DOOlitle, it went over TO Wednes
day The Court then adjourned.