New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-07
WASHINGTON.

TO TBs T.isrsE
wAsHNGros, Jan. 6, 1857,
! caucus of the Republican members Of the<fiou.s
of Representatives was held last evening Between.
fifty and sixty members present, which is less
than half the whole number. Glenni w. SchofcId Of
Pennsylvania occupied the chair, and Ignatus Don.
nelly of Minnesota acted secretary. The session
lasted over two hours and its proceedings highly
| exciting The subject under consideration was TO-
the propriety Of Congress impeaching President
Johnson good deal having previously been said
as to the feelings and ideas of the Republican menu
bers on the question of impeachment, the caucas
offered wide scope for members to put themselves
on record before the people Mr.. Spalding of Ohio
| led off by offering the following resolution:
Resolred That no movement looking toward the inn
parchment OF the President should be made at any time
members who may attend caucus called FOR that pur
pose
Mr. Spalding accompanied this resolution with
few remarks taking strong ground against impeach-
ment, and defending Andrew johnson from the moro
serious charges of traitor and usurper. Spaldng.
since his recent reelection, has been very coRserya
tive, and his remarks surprised no one Mr. Ashley
of Ohio moved to strike out the words, "That no
movement looking toward the impeachment of the
President should be made" and insert in lieu thereof
the words, "That no articles OF impeachment Of
the President shall be ordered" This was
adopted by vote Of 81 Yeas TO 10 Nays.
This leaves the way clear for all resolutions of inquiry
necessary for impeachment to be introduced into tho
House without first going before caucus. Mr. Ash
ley took ground in favor OF immediate investigation
He said grave charges were constantly made
against the official conduct of Mr. john
son, and he considered it a high moral duty
he owed to his constituents that the matter should be
settled at once. He wanted every man OF his party
to act fairly and openly and help dispose OF the mat
| n fclll sa1 lido
ing the sentiments of Mr.. Ashley but did not agree
with him that the matter should first be determined
ON in caucus. He said caucuses wese generally
planned for weak 1need and designing and knayish
members TO hide their detection and treachery from
their constituents he therefore moved 10 lay the
whole matter on the table and if articles OF
| impeachment were introduced into the House, let
each man take his stand openly and fairly before
| the country This motion was defeated by
vote of 20 Yeas to 80 Nays-Schenck, Garfield.
| Bingham and others, who hitherto have been
extreme Radicals, taking conservative ground and
voting in the negative. Mr. Stevens made the
remark that the vacant United States Judgcship in
! Northern Ohio had made nearly the whole OHIO
delegation "rotten," and, until Mr.. Johnson filled
the vacancy, caucuses were necessary for political
tricksters to hide up their evil doings There sprung
up warm debate between MesSrs Stevens, Bingham
proposed impeachment. The points raised were:
Whether an impeachment could be partly tried by
the Senate of the XXXIXth Congress; also, whether
the House of Representatives Of the XAAlAth
Congress could prefer articles of impeachment ON
which the President could be tried by the Senate
of the XLth Congress, or whether, should ARR
ces of impeachment be now preferred, and
the trial of them not concluded at the
expiration of the present Congress, they would have
TO be renewed In the XIth Congress. Mr. Stevens OF
PENNSYLVANIA took the ground that the Senate did
not expire with the Congress on the 4th Of March
next it being perpetual body. Or. Bingham OF
Ohio held different opinions, arguing that as one
third of the present Senators would ont on the 4h
of March the President could not afterward continue
to be tried by Senate composed of one-third new
members on articles partially tried by the preceding
Senate. Mr.. Stevens thought there would be ample
time in this Congress TO do whatever was to be done
ne was not however in favor of fastening matter
of this kind too rapidly; be was willing to afford an
opportunity for members of Congress to give due
consideration to the measure proposed; he believed
that it ought to be done, but not willing 10 60
into it unless 1t could be done thoroughly and GER
tainly The debate between Stevens and Bingham
illustrated the saying. When Greek meets Greek
&C. Bingham in his remarks leaned strongly TO
Johnsonism and spoke in his usual irritable impnl.
Bingham's eulogies of johnson, and replied
in terms bitter and severe in the extreme
Stevens'i structures on JOhnsOnized Radicals again
brought out Judge Spading, who once more depre-
Gated all movements looking to the impeachment OF
tho President, and defended himself against the
charge of being johnson man. Mr.. Spalding OPP
posed the proposed action very earnestly; he did not
believe that any good would result from 1T. Dir.
Highly of California thought it the most monentous
question that had been presented for the consdera
ton of the members of this Congress- and objected
to any hasty action. Mr. WashbuIne of Illinois did
not think that impeachment was possible and while
he believed that the President had done maay things
seriously Objectionable, he thought that the PROPOSE
ton for his Impeachment should be referred TO one
of the standing Committees, in order that it Should
be iudicously and dspassionately considered before
being presented for the formal action of the House
| Mr. Boutwell, of Massachusetts supported the propo-
siton of Mr. Ashley; he thought the work should DO
| commenced by the present Congress. Other men,
beers spoke pro and con. The resolution of Judge
Spaldinc as amended by Mr.. Ashley and Mr. Wash
burne, was finally adopted, not by unanimous VOTE
however The resolution. passed. reads as follows;
sord That articles Of impeachment Of the President
shall be ordered at time without the concurIehs
of majority of the Republican members who may attend
caucus called for that purpose, and that all proposons
looking 10 the impeachment Of the President shall rs, 10
considered and reported npon by the Colnmiee on the
| Judiciary
Mr. Ashley will introduce his resolution asking for
inquiry into the charges against Mr.. Johnsons otn'
cal conduct as President. 1t viii be referred 10 INC
Judiciary Committee at once.
The Senate was not in session on Saturday. The
Honse was in session for the purpose of speechmak-
ing only. Judge spalding of the Cleveland District
of Ohio made speech on restoration. His remarks
brought out Messrs Stevens Maynard, and Wash.
burne of Illinois, who engaged in very spirited