Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-01-17

] Proeeediags-in4 Honsc eff Repre-
sentatives on the Impeachment Ques-
ton go = p AkNis
In the House of Representatives, on the
9Th inst, the following proceedings took
place on the question of impcaching the
President. Speaker Colfax tried to save
bis radical friends from vote on the cues
ton, but could not. They avoided the.
difficulty by referring the matter to a
committee:
Mr.. Loan, of Mo-, offered the following
resolution, on which he demanded the pre-
vious question:
E. Resolued, That, for the purpose Of securing the
fruits of The victories gained on the part OF the
Republic during the late war, waged by rebels
and traitors against the life of the nation and Of
giving effect to the will of the people, as expressed
at the polls duting the late elections by MAORI
ties in the aggregate than 400 900 votes it is
the imperative duty OF the Thi tv ninth Congress
to take, without delay, such action as will accom-
plish the following objects First, The mpeach-
ment OF the officer now exercising the functions
pertaining to the Office of the President of the
United States OF America and his removal from
said office, upon his conviction in due for of law
of the high crimes and mlsdemeanors of which he
is maniestly and notoriously guilty, and which
render it unsafe longer to permit him to exercise
the powers he has unlawuy assumed. Second
TO provide for the faithful and efficient admins
tration OF the Executive department of the Gov
ernment within the limits of the law. Third,
70 prescribe effective means to immediately reor-
ganize civil governments in those States lately in
rebellion, excepting Tennessee and for restoring
them to their practical relations to the Govern
ment, upon basis OF loyalty and justice; and to
this end, Fourth, TO secure by the direct inter-
vention of Federal authority, the right of fran
chise alike, without regard to color, to all classes
of loyal citizens residing within those ections of
the Republic which were lately in rebellion.
Mr., Davis, of New York, moved to Law
tie resolution on the table. On his mo.
ton the yeas and nays were demanded and
ordered, and it was lost-yeas, 40; noes,
103
The Speaker announced that the morn
ing hour having expired. the resolution
would 60 over until next day.
Mr., Ashley, of Ohio. rose to question
of privilege, and said i rise, sir, to per-
form a painful duty, but duty, neverthe-
less, which deem Imperative upon me-a
duty which think cannot be further post
poned, and which canslot, without criIni-
nality on our part, be longer neglected.
/ had hoped sir, that this duty would have
}evolved upon an older and more expert
enced me mber of this House than myself
Prior to our adjournment | asked num-
Der OF. gentlemen to Introduce resolution
which after wards offered. and on which
failed to obtain a suspension Of the rules
Confident that the loyal people of this
country demand at our hands the action
provided for in the proposition that l am
now about to submit
Mr.. Finck. of Ohio, rose to question
of order-that there was no question be-
fore the House
Mr.. Ashley continued sir, on
my responsibility as a member of this
House, and in the presence and before the
American people, [ charge Andrew John
son, Vice-President and acting President
of the United States with the commission
of high crimes and nisdemea ors; and [
now propose resolution. Applause in
the gallery.
Dir. Ashley then presented preamble
and resolution as follows. and demanded
the previous question upon its passage:
do impeach Andrew johnson, Vice
President and acting President of the Uni
ted States, with high crimes and ,hisdc-
meanors. | charge him with the usurpa-
ton of power in violation of law. in tina,
he corrupfly used the appointing power;
IN that he has coriup:Iy used the pardon
ing power; in that he has oeriurtly used
the veto power; in that he has cnrruptly
disposed of the public property of the Uni
ted States : in that he has corruptly inter
Tered IN elections; and committed acts.
and conspred with others to commit acts.
which, in contemplation of the Constitu-
ton, are high crimes and misdemeanors
therefore be it
Eesotred, That the Committee on the
Judiciary be. and they are hereby author
lied to inquire into the official conduct of
Andrew johnson. Vice President of the
United States, discharging the powers and
duties of the office of President of the I'm
tied States; and to report to this House
whether, in their opinion, the said Andrew
johnson, while in said office, has been
guilty OF acts which were designed or cal
culated to overthrow, subvert, or corrupt
the Government of the United States, or
any department or any off Ger thereof: ano
whether the said Andrew johnson has
been guilty of any act, or has conspired
with others TO 60 acts, which, in conten-
plation OF the Constitution. are high crimes
and mIsdemeanors. requiring the imerpo-
sltion Of the constitutional power of this
House !. and that the said committee have
power to send for persons and papers, and
TO administer the customary oath to wit
nesses.
Mr.. Spalding, of Ohio, moved to lay
the resolution on the table; and o. that
motion
Mr. Finck. of Ohio, demanded the yeas
and nays. The motion was lost-yeas,
80; nays, 105.
The preamble and resolutions were then
adopted ayes, les; nays, SO. Forty