The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-29
Impeachnnent.


We have not been of those who see no safety
for the nation except in the impeachment of
the President. We have held that only the
gravest and most pressing of dangers would
justify resort to so extraordinary a remedy
as the removal of Chief Magistrate from
Office. We believe that we have had the senti-
ment of a large majority of the people with us
in this matter; but it is useless to deny that
Mr.. Johnson is doing his best to change that
sentiment and that many prominent men are
now earnestly in favor of his removal who
were month ago as stTenuously opposed to
it. Suppose the impeachment party prevails;
let us see what course will be pursued.
The otfenses for which an officer may be
lmpeached are "treason, bribery, and other
high crimes and misdemeanors." High crimes
and misdemeanors are not defined by the Con-
stitutiOn, and in determining what they are
recourse must be had to Parliamentary prac-
tice and the common law. OF course the
range of offenses embraced under them is
pretty comprehensive and it may be said, in
brief, that many crimes not easily definable by
law, and many OF purely political character
are held to be included and that in none OF
the cases OF impeachment which have thus
far been tried in the United States, except that
OF Judge Humphreys of Tennessee, who was
convicted OF treason in 1862, have an OF the
charges rested upon statutable offenses.
Inc charges must be presented by the House
OF Representatives, and tried by the Senate
ANY member of the House may initiate pro
ceedlngs, either by offering a resolution OF
accusatlon or moving the appointment OF
committee OF inquiry. If the House adopt the
resolution committee is appointed to pro-
ceed to the bar of the Senate and demand that
tRat BODY shall take order for the appearance
OF the accused to answer to the articles OF I'M
| peachment which the House will present IN
proper time. The House, then, having agreed
upon the articles, forwards them to the Senate
Dy the hands OF committee; the Senate ap,
points day for the trial, and process is served
! py the Sergeant-at- Arms. When the President
Is tried, the Constitution provides that the
Chief Justice shall preside. On the day as
signed, the Senate resolves itself into court
OF impeachment; the Senators are soemnly
sworn to do impartial justice aecordlng
70 the Constitution and laws OF Inc
United States the managers appointed ny
she house to conduct the prosecution IA
its pehalt attend, and the accused is summoneu
10 appear and plead. If he does not answer
elther IN person or by attorney the case pro
ceeus er Parte. Both sides may be heard "
counsel. The accused is entitled to copy Vi
the charges, and must be allowed time 10 pre-
pare an answer. The House of Representa-
uVes may then file a replication to the answer
and am after that day is assigned for the trial
me subsequent proceedings are conouSTSsSo me- y
SUBSTANTIALLY as in ordinary courts i &
managers open the case, the witnesses ale
Ihen examined, under the usual rules OF et,,
oenee, and both sides are fully heard ~
argument
=, When Associate Justice Chase, of the Uhiseu sSa
states Supreme Court was impeacheS1 io'
Sihcial misconduct in 1905, the Senate Onall,- il
per was elaborately fitted up for the aceoiiilT
uauon OF spectators. The trial lasted heHilg i
iour weeks, the last seven days being oceuPleu s
Ia arguments At the close, the Senate vvs9s .'9
upon each of the charges separately, twoth,' ~
peing required to convict. If the aoo9sou 20
found guilty the Senate fixes the punishment
which cannot extend further than resloval
nom office, and disqualification 70 hold amy