The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-17
our NEW VICE PRESIDENT.
A Drunken Boor in High Position.
Dissraceful Scenes at the Capitol.

Disgraceful Scenes at the Capitol.
Correspondence of the New York Herald.
During all this time Andrew Johnson-for
such he simply was then, not having taken
the oath of Office (would to heaven that 1t
could be said in behalf of the country that be
Is still only Andrew Johnson) -continued his
speech. Such speech. 1t might have been
appropriate at some hustings In Tennessee
but it certainly was far from being appropri
ate on this occasion. 1t was not only ninety
ninth rate stump speech, but disgraceful in the
extreme. He had not proceeded far when
Senators on the Republican side began to
look at each other with significance, as much
as to say, "Is he crazy, or what is the mat
ter?" They exhibited in every feature great
uneasiness. There was no installing the fact
that the Senators were mortified in the ex-
IRENE. The Democratic Senators leaned for
ward and appeared to be chuckling with each
other over the figure made by the Republican
Foreign Ministers showed unmistakable signs
of amazement as the incoherent sentences
came from Mr.. Johnsen's lips Republican
Senators moved around in their seats, unable
to sit still under the exhibition before them.
Some of the Senators sat sideways, others
turned their backs, as if anxious to hide them
selves.
The speech was disconnected, the sentences
80 incoherent that it was impossible to give an
accurate report of his speech. As his senten-
ces came up in the reporters gallery, tho state
ments that your President is plebean-I ana
a plebean, glory in it-Tennessee has never
gone out of the Union-I am going to talk
two minutes and Q half on this point want
you to hear me. Tennessee always was loyal
we all derive our power from the people
Chief Justice Chase Is but creature of the
people-I want you to hear me two minutes
on that point-you, Mr.. Stanton Secretary of
War, derive your authority and power from
the people. WHO is Secretary of the Navy?'
was then heard, in voice of less volume. Mr..
Secretary Of Navy, get your power from the
people. This was the strain and tone of the
whole speech, mixed with lecture to the Ser
ate on the action of the Senate on the rebel
lious States.
1t was impossible to give full report sitting
in the gallery The CHATTER ssm Of voices
he 10 friends? :" lis there no person who will
have mercy upon him p :" Tel. him to stop and
save the country further disgrace were so
numerous that it entirely prevented q full re-
port being made. The only full report was
that of the official reporters Of the Globe. The
Senators, however, were so chagrined at the
speech LustL tuty uOtlucu tuc UtOOC TCpOTCcT W
suppress his copy, and wait until Mr.. johnson
could write out Q speech, that this affair might
not 90 before the world In that form. 1t is
charitable to say that his condition was such
that he was unit to make speech. He evil
IDENTIFY did not shun Bourbon county, Kentucky,
on his way here
Mr.. johnson finally concluded his speech,
whereupon Vice President Hamlin admins.
tered to him the oath of Office Mr.. Hamlin
read the oath by sentences, and Mr.. johnson
repeated it after him. The effort of the Vice.
President elect to 90 through with the form
of repeating the sentences as read by Mr.. Ham,
lin was painful in the extreme. He stumbled,
stammered, repeated portions of it several
! times over. The moment that he concluded
this task Mr.. johnson turned to the audience
and commenced another speech, giving to
those assembled his idea of the oath which
he had just taken. He had uttered but two
or three sentences when some OF the officials
standing near him had the good sense to stop
him, he having already occupied some nine.
the proceedings beyond all usages. They
were unwilling that they should be any longer
delayed by the incOhcrent remarks of this
new official. 1t has heretofore been the
custom to close all speeches the moment
that the Judges of the Supreme Court and
diplomatic corps reach the Senate chamber.
| Mr.. Hamlin, IN accordance with this usage
closed his speech in time to give Mr.. johnson
some seven minutes to make his remarks be.
fore the arrival of the above digntaries, But
Mr.. johnson did not appear to understand the
usage on such occasions, or else was not in
clined to follow them for the diplomatic gen.
tlemen heard the bulk Of his speech, and, un.
fortunately, the worst part of it. The moment
that the new Vice President had been slenced.
Mr.. Hamlin declared the old Senate adjourned
The newly elected Senators were ordered to
| approach the clerk desk and take the oath of
office as their names were announced. Here
| Vice President Jahnson made another fdur DOS.
| He stepped forward with the Bible, held it out.
| and mOtioned to the new Senators to touch the
Bible bow their heads in assent, and then mo-
| toned them away without repeating the oath
| in any form. Most of the Senators left the
stand when the middle was discovered. The
Senators were recalled, and Mr.. Forney ad.
ministered to them the oath of Office. By this
time it became apparent that some one besides
Mr.. johnson would have to conduct the bust
ness of the Senate.
The Senators, in an unpleasant frame of
mind. returned to their hall, and waited around
nearly an hour for Mr.: johnson to appear and
adjourn that body, which he did not do, and
one by one the members slipped Out-and dis
appeared without adjournment.
TIE SPEECH.
The following is ANDYs speech as re-
ported in the New York Times:
By the choice of the people, he said, he had
been made presiding officer of this body, and,
in presenting himself here in obedience to the
behests of the Constitution of the United
States, it would, perhaps, not be out of place
to remark just here what striking thing the
Constitution was. 1t was the Constitution of
the people of the country, and under it here
to-day, before the American Senate, he felt that
he was man and an American citizen. He