Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-02-12
fcorrcsPOndsnee of The Cincinnati Commercial
ImBeachmenfs
General Gr.nt TO Js Included Curious
Statements Regarding BatEer, Aslilty and

1t will be remembered that about ulontl,
ago Mr.. Ashley offered a resolution in the
House of Representatives, directing the Ju-
dietary Committee to inquire If any officer of
the United States had been guilty of high
crimes or misdemoanors within the meaning
of the Constitution, or had consPired to sub
vert the Constitution of the United States.
This looked at the time, certainly to me. and
L think to most others, rather Ike the eva
sion of direct charge against the President.
than an attempt to make it more comprehcn-
sive, and TO include Others beside that un
happy gentleman. know that most of those
who referred to the subject in conversation at
the time, SO regarded it. There was one gen.
tieman, however, On the AaOrsof the House
OF Representatives, who, as # by inspiration.
saw through 1T the instant it was offered, aud
construed Alright the poisonous malice tcon-
ccalcd under an apparently harmless coating
OF words. The presentation of such rcso-
luton, whose coming had not been heralded
by any previous announcement or intention,
and was known but to half dozen ncIntcrs,
very naturally threw the House into tempo:
rary confusion and created quite stir on the
Republican side. What tie public already
knows on the subject is only what: TRANSFERRED
in the way of regular business, but the by
play, that did not come under that head. is
the impertant- part that shows tie aEinus of
the INCREMENT, as soon as the resolution
was readNSir. bingham jumped from his seat
and went over to Ashiey,to whom lie adj
dressed some very strong language asking
him what he meant by such proposition az
that and why lie didn't frame it to amply to
the President only, instead Of making it
drag net to include every officer Of the Gov
ernuent. Ashley hesitated awhile, affected
knavish smile, and replied that he guessed
1t was all right" NO, it isn't all right"
said Bingham. ats stab at Gen Grant.
and no such malicious thing shall go through
the House if can help it," suppose it
does include Grant" said Ashley, '''can't we
investigate his conduct too ? and can't We i'm
peach him if he has been guilty under the
resolution 2" bingham looked at Ashley
moment and replied in nervous wrath, lash.
ley, you're fool, Don't You know you cam
imPcach any but civil officer of the Governs
ment under the Constitution 2" BY this
time quite group had collected where the
collequy was being held, and Thad. Stevens.
seeming a breeze had come over to avert a
storm. Addressing him, Bingham asked
what was the meaning Of this dGmnable as
saUlt upon Gen. Grant. "0h, nothing" said
Stevens i'll his insidious way-''only we want
to Investigate some charges recently made
against him. l don't see why Grant should
be free from investigation any more than
johnson, He's just as bad as johnson
bingham again denounced what he termed
very aptly ga foul conspiracy against the
chief OF the Army of the Republic" and he
gave the few friends Of the resolution who
were around him fair warning that if they
passed 1t, he should expose the cowardIv pro.
II ~. Al
oiu;lOn had gone over as the parliamentary
phrase is, from refusal of Tie House to
suspend the rules. Quiet had been restored
GU the floor, and the business of the day was
quietly proceeding. Bingham addressed
Ashley IN presence of several members. in
language like this: "Tell the honest truth
now, who instigated that resolution" "Why.
what makes you think it wasn't nv own ~
inquired Ashley. Because" said BINGHAM
IL know there is too much cunning in it for
you, and I'll bet you anything you dare that
Thad. Stevens or Ben Butler either wrote it
or dictated its spirits" Ashley again pro
tested against B;ugham's right to question
the authorship; and Bingham again repeated
that there was too much craft and design
! about it for anybody but Stevens or Butler.
What from bingham earnestness and Ash
ley laintiy disguised cquivOcation, tie dis
Pu'e had become quite interesting, and a
number of Radical members had collected
around the disputants. After some further
bantering and badgering on Bingham part,
Ashley confessed that Stevens had a little
to do with it, and Butler had n little to do
with it, and that one of its principal objects
was TO give Butler an opportunity Of making
and proving certain charges against General
GRAFT"