Dodgeville Chronicle

Impeachment Proceedings.

The following is a synopsis of the impeachment proceedings on the 23d, as reported by telegraph:

After the organization of the Court, Mr. Stanbery arose and remarked that he and his brother counsel had been engaged every hour since the Court last met in preparing the answer. Even though the time was too brief, nevertheless he hoped the answer would be found sufficient.

Judge Curtis then proceeded to read the answer.

In answer to the first article of impeachment the President proceeds to quote the Constitution and laws of Congress relating to the appointment of Secretary of the Department of War. He then details the manner in which Stanton was appointed originally by Mr. Lincoln, and says at no time did Stanton receive any appointment from him (Andrew Johnson). He further answers that the public welfare did not admit, in his judgment, of Stanton remaining Secretary of War.

The President says, in his answer, that he could not hold either social or official intercourse with Stanton. He next goes on to detail the correspondence between the President and Stanton when the latter was dismissed last August. He says he next considered what course should be taken to compel Stanton to surrender the office of Secretary of War. He states that he was informed that the Constitution of the United States, as well as the precedents and practice of the Government since its formation, gave him power to remove any of his Cabinet officers. He accordingly removed Stanton, and informed the Senate of what he had done.

The President next proceeds to consider the provisions of the Tenure of Office bill as applicable to Stanton's case, stating that he believes it wholly inoperative. Even granting it constitutional, it did not, in his opinion, affect the case of Stanton.

The remainder of the President's answer to the first article consists of a long legal argument against the Tenure-of-Office bill, and in favor of the President's right to remove his Cabinet officers at pleasure. He confesses to having issued an order last February for the removal of Stanton a second time, and to having appointed Lorenzo Thomas as Secretary of War. He denies that the order for the removal of Stanton was in violation of the Constitution of the United States, or any laws thereof, or of his oath of office.

Mr. Stanbery read the answer to the second article of impeachment. He denies all the charges in this article. At the time he issued the order for the appointment of Lorenzo Thomas, there was a vacancy in the War Office.

For answer to the third article, the respondent denies that he made any appointment to the War Office, but simply authorized General Thomas to act ad interim.

For answer to the fourth article, he denies having conspired with General Thomas or any other person to prevent Stanton from holding the office of Secretary of War. He further denies having authorized any force to be used in removing Stanton. He dwells on this at length, and excepts to all the allegations made.

For answer to the fifth article, the respondent denies having hindered the execution of the Tenure-of-Office act, either in the city of Washington or elsewhere. As in reply to the fourth article he denies the sufficiency of the charge.

In answer to the sixth article, the respondent denies that he attempted to possess himself of any property of the United States.

For answer to the seventh article he denies all the charges made therein, and states that the allegations are insufficient.

For answer to the eighth article, he denies all intention of violence, and says he simply wanted to get the matter before the courts.

In answer to the ninth article, he proceeds to detail the interview between himself and General Emory. He denies having requested General Emory or any other officer to violate or disobey any law or any rule for the regulation of the army. He denies having said or done anything at any interview with General Emory which can be construed as a high crime and misdemeanor.

Mr. Everts proceeded to read the answer to the 10th article. It starts out with an allusion to the Philadelphia Johnson Convention, and the President goes on to say that the Convention adopted a declaration of principles, and appointed a delegation to wait upon the President, and present said declaration. He then goes on to detail the interview which took place in the White House between himself and the delegation. He says his speech on that occasion was incorrectly reported, and that the extracts quoted in the articles in question by the House of Representatives are not parts of his speech. He makes the same statement with regard to his Cleveland speech. He also denies the correctness of passages quoted in the article from his St. Louis speech. In further answer to this article, he protests that he has not been unmindful of the high duties of his office. He denies having endeavored to bring Congress into contempt, and asserts that during his official career he always acknowledged the authority and legality of Congress.

The remainder of the answer consists of an elaborate defense of his several speeches.