The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-26
ImDenChment.


The Judiciary Committee of the House of Re-
presentatives yesterday relieved itself of the
buIdensome secret of impeachment; and now
that the country knows the full result of its
labors, it has drawn a breath of relief. Until
within the past few days, it was regarded as
foregone conclusion that majority of the
Committee would report against an attempt
to Edepose the President; but the sudden con-
version of Mr.. Churchill changed the whole
programme at the last moment and the ma
jority report, signed by Messrs. George S.
Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,; Francis Thomas,
of Maryland; Thomas Williams, of Pennsyl-
vania; William Lawrence, of Ohio and John
G. Churchill of New York, recommends the
following resolution for adoption by the
House:-
ReSolUed, That Andrew Johnson, President of
the United States, be impeaohed of high crimes
and misdemeanoTs.
The report signed by these gentlemen is too
long for publication, and we doubt if many
people will have the patience to peruse it and
the two minority reports at length. The ma
ority assert that the usurpation of power by
the President is the salient point of the charges
preferred against him. and that around it all
his Especial acts of maladministration will be
found to gravitate and revolve." The struggle
arising out of Mr.. Johnsons "claim of more
than kingly powers" in the opinion of the
majority, has had no example in this country,
and none in England since the days of the
Stuarts. For the great 'task of bringing back
the dismembered States, and restoring these
jarring and discordant elements into one har-
monious whole, the supreme Executive of the
nation, even though he had been endowed by
nature with the very highest of organizing
faculties, was obviously untitled by the very
nature of his office" Mr.. Johnson is accused
of being Gin the doubtful and delicate posi-.
tion of citizen of one Of the revolving States;"
and the majority insinuate that cit was, per-
| haps, but natural that he should sympathize
with the communities from which he had
mainly differed only on prudential reasons, or,
in other words, as to the wisdom of the revolt
at that particular juncture of affairs" To
effect the mighty task of restoration, the Pre-
sident issued what are styled "his imperial
proclamations; and in carrying out their pro-
visions he is accused of rivalling the boldness
of Charles the First, when the latter did away
with the incumbrance of Parliament.
After reviewing the law bearing upon the
subject of the alleged usurpations of power,
the majority say that they care of opinion
that Andrew Johnson, President of the United
States is guilty of high crimes and misde-
meanors requiring the interposition of the
constitutional powers of this House." The
specification of the charges against the Presi-
dent are then recited under thirty diff
ferent heads, which may be summarized as
follows:-
overthrow of the Rebellion.
2. Assuming to decide, by proclamation of
May 20, 1865, whether the government of
North Carolina was republican in form, and
to guarantee such government to that State,
contrary to that provision of the Constitution
by which this power is lodged in Congress.
3. Encroachment upon the province of Con-
gress by recognizing as republican in form a
government which he himself set up in North
Carolina.
4. Convening certain conventions of known
traitors in States recently in rebellion, for the
purpose of forming constitutions for such
States.
5. Ratification of these constitutions, with
out their submission to the people.
6. The pardon of notorious traitors, with
the view of receiving their aid in the conven-
tions.
Z. The creation of military governors
! officers unknown to the Constitution and laws.
8. Appointing as such military governors
public and notorious traitors.
9. Directing the Secretary of State to pay
these illegal officers for their services.
10. Directing similar payments by the secre-
tary of War.
IL. Dispensing with the provisions of the
act of July 2 1862, prescribing an oath ol
Office.
II. Appointing to Office under the laws Of
the United States persons guilty of treason,
who could not discharge their duties without
committing perjury, or otherwise violating the
act of July 2, 1862.
10. Applying the property taken from the
enemy to the support of the illegal govern.
ments.
a. Usurping the power of Congress by
p leVying taxes for the support of these illegal
governments.
Is. Denying, in his messages, the power o.