The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-07-10

Mr.. Stsvens-I fear We shall lose
Pennsylvania this next election. DO
not think we have earnestness enough
in the State to unite and draw out the
republican strength, while the repu oil
can portion Of our Legislature has been
so openly, notoriousIy and shRmefully
corrupt, that all the honest people In
the State are disheaTtened and disgust
ed. gaHa-##E -. H
you can beat New York in corruption,
do youG
Mr.. Stevens-I think we could. Cam
eron had his men with their hands full
of greeubackS working in the Legisla-
ture. He had not fourteen votes IN his
favor at tie close of the election, but
soon after he had forty. One man now
claims S5O,O 600 for services, and they re-
fuse to pay him. This corruption will
certainly beat us here next election,
unless we draw out the republican
strength by getting up Juror aud ex-
element on impeachment. Geary, too,
hurts us very much. He is an unhappy
failure, and his nomination WAS an un-
fortunate thing for the party
THE EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS
Question-You have no doubt of n
quorum Mt Washington
Mr.. Stevens-none at all, At one
time thought we should not have
quorum. wrote some time since &c the
chairman of the Judiciary Committee,
who is opposed to impeachment and
did not want a July session, asking
him to publish a letter calling for full
attendance OF members; but he replied
that he did not like to put his name in
the papers. / wrote 10 the Speaker to
urge him 10 do the same; but he replied
that he had seen n number OF members,
and not one was in favor of an extra
session. I then put out IA few letters
myself, and since then see the Speak
er and others have declared in favor OF
Il session.
THE MILITARY LAW.
Question-were You and your friends
disposed to be satisfied with the Militia
~ law before the Attorney General
and President interfered with the ac-
ton of the military commanders under
1t?
Mr.. Stevens-Yes; and we were will
ing 10 await the pction of the conven-
tiOns held under it before going any
further. OF course the action OF the
conventions was not 10 be considered
conclusive, because the judgment of
Congress had to be passed upon il AT
forwards. II the law was fully and
fsirly carried out, that was all we ask
ed. There were portions of IL which
we very much disliked after Sherman
had injected his conservative portion OF
IL; but this was Temedied by ShellH-
barger's amendments, and we were dis
posed to go on and see what the con-
quered provinces did under the law be-
fore we proposed anything else. We
supposed they would have got through
in all he territory before the adjourn
ment of the next regular Congress.
ABoLIsHING THE EXISTING REBEL GOV
MRNTS.
Question-ShaII you favor this ses-
sion the distinct and entire ABOLISH
ment OF all the existing State Govern
ments in the Sc. called rebel States?
Mr., Stevens-Yes; that will be ne
cessary under the Presidents action. /
/ do not consider those governments legal
at all. We supposed them to be nll
virtually abolished by the Military bill.
No one but Congress ever had authnri-
" to foIm any governments at all in
the conquered territory. Congress
could authorize such agents as 1t might
think proper TO act for them, ana the
military commanders were in fact the
agents of Congress, not of the Presi-
dent. -
lis sTANBERT TO BE REMovEDT
Question-Shan you take any action
for the removal OF Attorney General
Stanbery from the Cabinet this session
the Reconstruction law9
Mr.. Stevens-I have not made up my
mind TO that yet. Indeed, have not
thought of il. lido not know how such
u Cabinet officer as Attorney General
exists mt all. 1 have yet TO learn by
what constitutional authority there is
such a member of the Cabinet. L sup
pose we might abolish the office OF At
Iorney General; but this probably
would not be desirable. think l Ishall
be for letting him remain where he Is;
but shall favor a declaration that his
/ interference in this matter Is imperti-
| nent and unauthorized. He can only
be regarded, however, as a mere instru-
ment or tool of the President.
| REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Question-If understand you cor
aectly, Mr.. Stevens, the basis of your
action now and hereafter will lie in the
| fact that the rebel States are conquered
territory, without the pale OF the con-
stiTution of the United States, and sub
ject TO such laws as the conquerors may
think proper to impose; that you will
consider il your duty at this session TO
present a direct resolution of imPeach-
ment; but that you do not anticipate
its success, on account of the demoraH-
Zed condition of the republican party
in Congress, and, shall, therefore, rest
contented fer the present with rendering
the meaning OF the reconstruction law
specific as 10 voters and the power of
the military commanders, leaving such
! Legislation as you deem proper for the
conquered territory for a future ses-
sion.
| Mr.. Stevens-Yes; 1 believe you have
/ correctly stated my position. 1 shall
consider it my duty to move resolu-
tion of impeachment Heretofore
have not pressed the matter ofimpeach-
ment; but now, seeing defiant deter
Inination to obstruct the laws and to
prevent the will of Congress-which is,
/ in other words, the will OF the whole
\ people OF the United States-from being
carried out, I regard 1t as incumbent
upon me, as Representatives OF the peo-
| pie, TO propose the removal of this OBJ
struction. Indeed, 1 have not a bit Of
doubt that this resolution would pass,
under the present condition of affairs,
but for the jealousy between the sup
| porters of Fessenden and Wade. II is
/ that jealousy which has unhappily
stepped in to mar the harmony and
paralyze the power of the party; When
/ great dangers threatened us these paltry
political considerations have no weight;
/ but now they come to distract and di-
vide us. If men would bear principle
steadily in view, and fOrego all personal
considerations, we should be in very
different position. As IL Is, these un-
worthy chickering's and political tricks
/ and jealousies step in and render IL DIFF
ficuit not only to shape things right,
j but to keep them straight when thew