The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-01-10
Representative Ashley, Of Ohio. Impeach'
es the President.

Ing with solemn CeliDeratlOn, Salu =
Mr.. Speaker rise to question OF
privilege. l rise to perform painful
duty, but one which, nevertheless, feel
to be imperative, duty which l think
cannot be postponed, and cannot without
great criminality on our part be longer
neglected. | had hoped that duty would
have devolved on an older and more ex-
perienced member of the House than my
self. Prior to the holiday recess [ asked
a number of gentlemen to introduce the
resolution which tried to introduce and
on which the House refused to suspend
the rules to enable me to do So Cons
cious that the loyal people of the country
demand at our hands the proposition which
[ am about to submit, am determined
that no effort on my part shall be want
ing.
Mr. Finck (Ohio) interrupted, and ask
ed the Speaker what was the question be
fore the House.
Mr.. Ashley (0hio)-I was going on to
state it,
The speaker-If the gentleman (Mr
Finck) insists upon it, the Chair will rule
that the gentleman (Mr. Ashley must
state what his question of privilege is.
Mr.. Finck-I do insist on it.
Mr.. Ashley (Ohio)-On my reapons-
bility as a Representative in this House,
in its presence and before the American
people, charge Andrew Johnson, Vice
President and acting President Of the
United States, with the commission Of
high crimes and misdemeanor, and pro-
pose resolution.
Mr.. Frinck-I rise to another question
of order. Is that question of privilege
The Speaker-The Chair rules that it
is question of privilege. In the Twen-
ty-seventh Congress it was decided by the
then Speaker, Mr. Horace Everett (Vt.)
that resolution of impeachment was a
question of privilege.
Mr.. Eldridge-Is there not special
order before the House
The Speaker-There is not
Mr.. Ashley (Ohio)-I send to the
Clerks desk charges and specifications
which ask to be read.
The Clerk read as follows =
Go impesch Andrew johnson, Vice
President, and acting President of the
United States, of high crimes and mis-
demeaDOrs. | charge him with usurpa-
tion of power and violation of law. In
that he has corruptly abused the appoint
ing power; in that he has corruptly used
the pardoning power; in that he has cor
ruptly used the veto power; in that he
has corruptly disposed of the public pro
perty OF the United States in that he has
corruptly iuterlered in elections, and con.
spired with others to commit acts which,
in the contemp plation of the Constitution
are high crimes and misdemeanors there
fore, be it.
RcsolUeR, That the Committee on the
Judiciary be and they are hereby author
lied TO inquire into the official conduct of
Andrew Johnson, Vice President, dis
charging the powers and duties Of the Office
President of the United States, and to re
port to this House whether In their op-
inion the said Andrew johnson, while in
said Office, has not been guilty of acts
which where designed or calculated to
overthrow, subvert or corrupt the Gov
ernment Of the United States, or any de-
partment or officer thereof and whether
the said Andrew johnson has been gull
ty of any act, or has conspired with 9th
ers to do acts which, in contemplation
OF the Constitution, are high crimes and
misdemeanors, requiring the interposition
OF the constitutional power Of this House;
and that said committee have power to-
send for persons and papers, and to ad-
minister the customary oaths to witnesses
Mr.. Ashley (Ohio) moved the previous
question on the resolution.
Mr.. Spalding moved to lay the resolu-
ton on the table
The motion was negatived-Yeas, 80 i
nays, l05.
Dir. Bingham (Ohio) demanded telIers
on seconding the previous question, sta
ing that if it was not seconded it would
5e in order to move to refer the resolu-
ton.
The tellers were ordered and reported
years, 75 nays, 56-Mr. Bingham ex-.
erting his influence among the Republi-
can members to vote in the negative.
SO the previous question was seconded
and the main question was ordered, which
was on agreeing to the resolusion.
Dir. Hubble, COhio) asked the Speak
er whether it was in order now to moved
the reference of the resolution to the Ju
dietary Committee
The Speaker replied that it was not
the main question having been ordered.
Mr.. Hubbell (Ohio) moved to recon
slider the vote by which the main ques-
ton was ordered. He desired to notify
the House that if the vote were reconsi.
dered he would move to refer the resolu-
ton to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Ashley (Ohio) objected to debate.
Mr.. Wentworth (Iil) made similar
objection, stating that if any debate were
allowed, he wished to make speech him.
SELF
Mr. Stevens (Pa.) moved to lay Mr..
Hubbell's motion to reconsider On the ia
BILE.