The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-04-24
THE TRANSCRIPT.
Friday. April "a, 1868.
me Impeachment Trial.


ming witnesses concerning the Presi-
dents speeches at St Louis and Cleave-
land After the examination of these
witnesses. Frederick w. Seward was
nm; on the stand by the defence, and
testified as TO the manner of making APP
appointment Of consuls in the Depart
ment of State. Secretary Welles was
then examined, a to several converse
tjons between himself and the Presi-
dent. particularly that at the cabinet
meeting Feb. DIST. The Managers for
the House objected, on the ground that
such testimony was covered by the rul-
ing of the Senate TO reject the testimony
of Mr.. Perrin on Thursday. The coun-
sci for the President insisted, and after
argument on both sides. Chief Justice
Chase said that in his opinion the pres
ent question was different from that of
Thursday. as it did not concern the APP
pointment of a successor 10 Mr.. Stanton
but the intention of the President in the
removal of Mr.. Stanton, and ii relates
10 the communication made to his Cabi-
net after the departmental business had
closed, and before the Cabinet had sep
arated. 1.-THE Chief Justice is clearly
speaking with emphasis of theopinion
that that is part of the transaction,
and that it is entirely proper to take
this evidence into consideration as
showing the intent and the Presidents
mind"
The Senate voted, yeas 20, nays %, to
admit the testimony. Secretary Welles !
testified that President Johnson told the /
Cabinet that he had removed Mr.. STAN
ton and appointed Gen. Thomas, who
was then in possession. Mr.. Stanton |
acquiesing, requiring only time enough |
10 remove his papers. This communi- |
cation was made, in conformity with the !
regular routine, after other business
had been disposed of. The next day the |
witness saw the nomination of Mr.. Ew- /
ing prepared, and in the hands of the |
President The Tenure-of- Office law |
was first brought before the Cabinet in
February, 1866. Mr.. Stanton was pres
ent with the other members ofthe Cabi- (
net. The Presidents counsel offered to
prove that the President laid before the
Cabinet the Office bill;
that they advised its return with objec-
tions as being unconstitutional that
Secretaries Seward and Stanton under
took to prepare the veto arguments, and
20.
en- during the ten days following. Mr..
Butler argued at length against the adj
instability of such evidence, taking the
ground that the President could not
shelter himself behind the opinions of
his constitutional advises. Mr.. Evarts
replied.
On Saturday Mr.. Wilson for the mana
gers, read a manuscript speech object
ing to the admission of the testimony,
which he contended was prevalent and
insufficient even if admitted, to Justify
the President in the removal of Mr..
Stanton, inasmuch as he the PRESIDENT
is the responsible head of the Execu-
tive Department, and cannot shield
himself behind the opinions oradvice Of
his Cabinet officers a law enacted
over his veto is A. binding on him as
one that has received his sanction. The
duty Of executing the law excludes the
right to judge Of it. He cannot accom-
plish a legal object by illegal means. or
break the laws himself to prevent them
from being violated by Others. Judge
Curtis replied tllat The President acted
under legal advice. namely that of his
Cabinet. The constitution did not for
bid the having a Cabinet, and there had
been one since the formation of the gov
eminent. He said the validity of an
act of Congress was undoubtedly ques-
ton Of law. BE was not prepared to
say the Senate was the proper Judge of
the law. He considered the testimony
most material. II was important to show
by the members Of the Presidents Cabi-
net what passed between them and the 5
President in reference to the Tenure-of-
office bill.
Chief Justice Chase gave it as his opin- '
on that the evidence offered was admis-
,ibe. The yeas and nays were taken !
md resulted yeas twenty and nays
weaty-nine. Secretary Welles was :
hen recalled, but he was not allowed to !
estify. Postmaster-General Randall {
ooll the stand and testified concerning :
ne removal of Foster Blodgett Mr. a
Ilyarts offered the order of removal and
informed the Court that the |
iefencc had closed, reserving the right |
o Mr.. Stanbery, however, to offer such t
violence as he may deem advisable. {
The rebutting testimony on Monday,
Aas entirely documentary, and not very e
important. At 1884 O'Clock, Mr.. But 5
er announced the ease for the House of
and the people of the .
| nited States against Andrew Johnson d
:lcsed. Mr.. Evarts made the same an :
for the respondent. The !;
'hief-Justice then directed the Mana z
gers 20 proceed with their Arguments
Mr.. Boutwell, said that the duty ofopen- =.
ng of the summing updevolved on him,
'HA a. III "a l1ccieu 10 occupy an tDiifc -
lay he would ask the Court to adjourn :
lntl tomorrow. Mr. Evarts made :
brief allusiOn 20 the illness of Mr.. Stan :
berry aud TO the part which he was to :
AXE IN the ease. 1t was possible that =,
+ the Court should grant two days in :,
he might be able to attend.
Reverdy johnson moved the adjourn
nent to Thursday, hut on hearing the =,
Toiees Of Senators demanding Wednes-
lay he modified it to that day, and it =,
vas agreed to. Mr.. Logan made an at
empt to get his speech on the record
nd an order was submitted to that ef-
ect bat, objection being made bv Sena- I
or Doolittle, il went over TO Wednes- II
ay. The Court then adjourned. IL
THE MURDER OF MCGEE.-The Otta- q,
"a correspondent of the New York 6,
rib,0ae says that all the q,
'hieh has passed between the Fenian m
,dges in New York and Montreal has nj
cen seized by the Government, and a h,
rand exodus of prominent Irishmen of