The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-01-08
IMPEACHMENT

EIGhfy NUcmDers ADscht-ErStt"i
nnry Eiscussioa of lmpcaehMent-
TASTY Action Di.counicnanccd.
Especial Dispatch to the Pittsburg Commercial
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 1867.
The Republican Caucus convened il
the House hall last night ut eight
o'clock, and remained in session for two
hours. Sixty-cight members were in at
tendance, leaving over eighty members
of the party absent.
Mr.. Schofeld, of Pennsylvania, pre-,
sided, and Mr.. Donnelly, of Minnesota
acted as Secretary.
Ono of the twelve members who sign
ed the call for the caucus, said that the
principal object of the meeting was tt
discuss the proposition of impeachment
of the President. After some prelimi
nary debate, Mr.. Spalding, ofOhio, offer
ed the 70 blowing:
ResOlred, That no movement looking
towards the impeachment of the Presi
dent shall be made at any time IN the
House without a concurrence of the ma
iority of the Republican members being
obtained in a caucus called for that
purpose.
Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, moved to strike
ont the words "That no movement look
ing towards impeachment" and insert
in lieu thereof the words, "no articles Of
impeachment" so that it would read
that no articles of impeachment shall
he presented in the House unless agreed
| on III caucas.
Mr.. Stevens demanded the yeas and
NAYS Oh the amendment, and 1t was
agreed to: Yeas, 81; nays, 90.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, Ofercd'ar
amendment that no proposition looking
to the impeachment of the President
shall be considered in the House with
out being first referred to the Commit
tee on the Judiciary. This amendment
was agreed to.
Mr.. Stevens then said that there was
not a full attendance, and the resolution
was of no account as modified or as il
stood originally. He therefore movet
to lay it on the table, and demanded the
yeas and nays. But fifty-three member:
voted, and the motion was lost. Yeas
20; nays, 80.
The resolution, as amended, was then
passed by three to one.
Several members favored tho refer
ences of the whole matter to the For
tieth Congress, on the gronnd that the
Senate would not have time for the
trial during this Congress.
Mr.. Bingham said the House of Rep
B. +ln frh,,fx ninth Tnn
gress could not agree to the articles o.
impeachment for the Senate of the For
tieth Congress to try. That would be
he said, carrying the business of one
Congress over to another one.
Mr.. Stevens said that the Constitu
ton made the Senate perpetual body
and that it didnot expire on the 4th o
March. He maintained that business
before the Senate on the adjournment
of this Congress could be finished b!
the Senate of the Fortieth Congress.
A member suggested that such was
not the practice of the Senate. All th'
business pending in the Senate at th'
expiration of Congress had to b'
re-introduced to be considered in Sen
ate belonging to a new Congress.
Mr.. Bingham, of Ohio, spoke for some
time on this question, arguing that a.
onc-third of the present Senators woult
90 out OIL the 4th of March, the Presi
dent could not afterward continue t.
be tried by a Senate composed of one
third new members on articles par
TALLY tried by the preceding Senate
Mr.. Stevens thought there would be
ample time in this Congress to do what
ever was to be done. He was not, how.
ever. in favor of fastening matter o.
this kind too rapidly. He was willing
TO afford an opportunity for members o
Congress to give due consideration Il
the measures proposed.
A mcmber-"Are you i'll favor of the
Impeachment of the President n
Mr.. Stevens-"Yes, Sir; believe hC
ought to be impeached, but l am not
willing to go into the matter hastily
When it is done it ought to be done
thoroughly, and with certainty"
Mr.. Spalding, of Ohio, said he was mo-
in favor of any impeachment project o
any kind. No good and much harm
would result from any movement il
that direction.
Mr.. Highly, of California, said tn,
question was the greatest teverpresentet
to the House of Representatives, in tht
history of the Government, and he
hoped that members would approach i
with due consideration and seriousness
He was opposed to any hasty action il
this caucus or in the House. -
: Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, said tha
, ho entertained some doubt as to tn,
ability of the House to find legal GROUND
for the Presidents impeachment. i
was not certain that two-thirds of th'
Senate favored it. The President hat
done many serious and objection
able things, but he thought that tn,
proposition for his impeachment should
be referred to one Of the Standing Com
mittees, in order that it should be regu
lated and dispassionately considered be
fore being presented for the formal &c
tion of the House.
Mr.. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,, sale
he was in favor of commencing the
work of impeachment at this season
though he favored determining tht
question in caucus first.
Mr.. Bingham made the point thai
articles of Impeachment, for the reasons
he had previously stated, should not b,
preferred during the present Congress:
for want of title. He reminded the gen
tlemen that the trial Of Warren Hast
ings lasted seven years. e..
The debate at this point became YER!
spirited and earnest, but did not 60 be
yond the point covered by this synop
sis. Mr.. Bingham spoke excitedly anc
impulsively. There appeared to be :
general disposition upon the part o
those present to vote for any inquir!
into the matter as to whether the Presi
dent should be impesched, while larg'
number were of the opinion that h
ought to be impeached at once. Th'
absence of 80 many members detractet
from the proceedings. :.
The caucus adjourned subject to fu
ture call.
| Arrangements have been made will
Charles Guidot, the inventor of th'
"Belgian pavement" to repave Broad
/ %1o nokka~x- 70 Ennrfaantf