The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1867-12-05
The Impeachment Report.

On MOnuay Inc ZOln ulJ. Jne
long looked for report of the Judi
ciary Committee on Impeachment
was laid before Congress. which
consisted of three separate reports.
That of the majority signed by
Messrs. George S. Boutwell,, Of Mas
sachusetts; Francis Thomas, OF
Maryland Thomas Williams, of
Pennsylvania William Lawrence,
OF Ohio; aud John G. Churchill Of
New York, which recommends the
following resolution for the adop-
tion of the House
ReSolred, That Andrew johnson,
President of the United States, bo
impeached of high crimes and mis-
demeanors.
Tho report being too long for
publication in our paper, we will
give an abstract Of il. The prin.
cipal accusation against the Presi-
dent is asurpation of porer, which
involves of course violation OF
law.
After reviewing the law bearing
upon these alleged usulpations of
power, the majority "are of the O.
pinion, that Andrew johnson,
President of tho United States, is
guilty of high crimes and misde.
meanors, requiring the interposi
tion of the constitutional powers of
this House" The charges may be
summed up as follows:
l. Neglecting to convene Con.
gress on the final surrender of the
Rebel armies, and final over
throw of the Rebel government.
2. Assuming to decide, by proc.
lamatlon of May 30, 1865, whether
the government OF North Carolina
was Republican in form, and to
guarantee such a government to
that State contrary to the Consti
tuition, which provides that Con-
gross shall guarantee to every State
q republican form Of government,
and contrary to the opinion of the
Supreme Court.
8. Encroaching upon Congress
by recognizing as republican in
form government which he him.
self set up in North Carolina.
4, That by public proclamation
and otherwise, ho did in 1865
invite, solicit and convene certain
conventions of known traitors in
States recently in rebellion, for the
purpose of forming constitutions
for such States.
8. ThatAhe assumed to accept,
ratify and confirm these constitu.
tions without their submission to
the people.
8. Pardoning notorious traitors,
with the view of receiving their aid
in these conventions.
Z. That he did, within and for
the States recently in rebellion,
create as u civil office that OF Pro.
visional Governor, so.called, an of
flee unknown to the Constitution or
laws Of the land.
8. Appointing as such provision
al governors public and notorious
traitors.
8. Directing the Secretary Of
State TO pay these illegal officers
for their services.
~. Directing similar payments
by the Secretary Of War.
IL. That be deliberately dispen.
sed with and suspended u law of
the United States passed July 2,
1862, prescribing an oath of office.
II. Appointing to Office under
the laws oftho United States, per.
sons we'll known to him, TO be
guilty OF treason, and who could
not discharge duties without com.
mitting perjury Or otherwise violat.
ing crlminally the act of July 2,
1862. .
IL. CONTRARY 10, and without the
authority Of law, applying proper.
ty taken from the enemy to the
support OF these illegal govern
ments.
IA. In violation Of tho Constitu
tlon and his oath Of office, lcvying
taxes upon the people OF said
States Tor tho support OF these lille.
gal governments.
10. Denying in his message the
power OF Congress TO provide for
the paclhcation, government and
restoration to these rebellious
States.
IL. Votoing bills for these ob-
Jccts, on the ground that tho said
States were restored already,
a. Removing and appointing to
Office for the purpose of maintain.
ing eilectually his usurpations.
IL, Pardoning one hundred and
ninety.thrcc mon OF West Virginia,
who upon tho records of the War
Department were marked as dc.
serters.
10. Attempting to prevent tho
ratification of the proposed amend,
ments to tho Constitution,
20. Making official and other
declarations, which were calcula-
ted and designed to impair the ma
tlonal credit, and TO encourage
rebels in resisting restoration upon
u republican basis: and calculated
and designed, also, to deprive the
Congress of tho United States of
tho confidence OF the people as well
in It's patriotism as in its constitu.
o Il Il.