The Van Buren press., 1868-04-24
WASHINGTON NEWS.
WAsuIxGroN Anrill5

TO day Chief Justice ruled out the Pres
ident's message of February oath. The
managers objected to it on general
grounds but the Chief Justice rejected it
on the grounds that the Senate resolu-
tions did not require it, therefore it was
not pari of the regular proceedings. His
message nominating Ewing, however,was
admitted and also an immense mass OF
documentary evidence under continued
objection from Butler. After the conclu-
sion of which the Court adjourned.
In the House Stevens made a state.
ment to the effect that the Senate had de-
termined not to hear the impeachers full
ly and gave notice that he would move
for night sessions in the House to allow
the managers and others to make their
speeches The Presidents counsel had
it pretty much their own way this after
noon. The imDcachers show signs Of
discouragement.
The impeachment trial on Monday was
consumed in the testimony of Gen. Sher-
man, who said the President told him
that his object in removing Stanton was
for the good of the service and country
at large Owing to the illness of Mr..
Stanberry, the court adjourned on Tues
day until yesterday.
WASHINGTON, April l6.
The impeachment court yesterday
again refused to alter the rule for two
concluding arguments on each side in the
trial The was devoted to the receipt Of
documentary evidence including that Of
Col. Morris, the Presidents private Sec
retsry, which proved that the President
sent the nomination Of Mr.. Ewing, Stan
tons successor, to the Senate on the 22d
day of February, Immediately following
Stanton's removal The Senate was not
in session at the time, however, and the
nomination did not reach it until Februa-
ry "a. The documents introduced relate
principally to the term of office ofa large
class Of government officers, the removal
of many which were made by the differ
ent Presidents without advising the Sen
ate Oral testimony will be offered to-
day.
Mr. Sumner offered an order to admit
all evidence which may be offered on mo-
ton of Congress. On motion Of Mr..
Conness the order was tabled by % to IL.
Mr. Stanberry was not present but the
court said they would proceed as far as
possible without him. Walton S. Cox,
of Georgetown, was called by the defence
and was asked when his connection with
the case of Stanton VS. Thomas com
menced, and when and by whom and un-
der what circumstances he was employed.
Butler objected, but the Chief Justice
ruled that he might answer the first part
of the question. The witness said he
was sent for on the 22d day Of February
and went to the White House at ) o clock,
he was proceeding to state what the Pres
ident said 40 him when MIR. Butler again
objected and demanded that the counsel
put in writing whrt they expected to
prove. The counsel proceeded to prove
that the President employed Mr. Cox to
prefer judicial decision by filing a quo
,corranto. After further argument the
Chief Justice ruled that the evidence to
show that the President employed law
yers to obtain decision on the cOnstitu-
tionality Of the Tenure OF office act was
admissible. In support of the denial Of
the first articles, in accordance with for
mer votes of the Senate and with princi-
plies of law and right, the yeas and nays
were called and resulted 20 to 81. The
evidence was therefore admitted. The
witness resumed the President told the
witness that he desired to have the pro-
ceedings instituted to test the consttu-
tionality Of the act, and wished him to
consult with Mr., Stanberry, who had
been too busy to lsok into the matter.
He left Gen. Thomas with the President,
and concluded it woulp be best to apply
for writ of habeas corpus, after General
Thomas should be committed by the
criminal court; which course Mr.. Stan
berry approved. The question was asked
and objected to, "What did you do to-
wards getting out the writ of habeos cor
pus, by the direction of the President" !"
Admitted by vote of 27 to 29. Answer ::
Il tried to have Gen. Thomas commit
ted to prison" Mr.. Stanton's counsel
applied for postponement. The Chief
Justice said he could not be held in Gus
tody. The witness moved his discharge,
expecting to force his committal but the
motion was granted. The Senate refused
to allow q statement to be made of the
conversation with the President the same
evening. The counsel then asked, " AZ
ter reporting this to the President, did
YOU do any other act in pursuance of his
previous instructions to test the consti-
tutionality Of the Tenure-of Office act if
so, what were thoy?' Objections were
offered; which the Chief Justice over
ruled, and the Senate sustained his ruling
by vote Of 81 to 23 The witness re-
sumed, The next day l applied to the
District Attorney to sign an information
in the nature OF quo warranto, which he
declined to do without the authority Of
the Attorney General. He then visited
Mr.. Stanton and gave him his opinion,
which was not allowed to be stated and
nothing else was done in the matter"
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