Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-09

Correspondence OF the JincahhhA Jommefclh-
WAsBrNaroE, Jan. 6.-The Republican
CAUCUS convened in the House hall laa
night al six o'clock, and remained IN ses-
sion Cor two hours. Sizty-eight members
we're In attendance, leaving over eighty
members Of the party absent.
Mr. Scholeld, Of Pennsylvania, pre-
sided, and Mr.. Donnelly, Of Minnesota,
acted as Secretary.
One Of the twelve members who signed
the call for the caucus said that the prin-
cipal object Of the meeting was TO discuss
the proposition Of the Impeachment Of the
President After some preliminary debate,
Mr. Spalding, Of Ohio, offered the follow
ing
aResoIyed, That no movement looking
toward the Impeachment OF the President
shall be made at any time in the House
without a concurrence Of the majority Of
the Republican members being obtained in
a caucus called for that purpose"
Mr.. Ashley, Of Ohio, moved to strike
ont the words that DO movement look
ing toward Impeachment" and insert in
lieu thereof the words ono aticls Of inc
peachmeni," 70 That ID Wtrld reaa shai 30
articles Of impeachment shall be presented
in the House unless agreed on in caucus.
Mr. Stevens demanded the ayes and nays
on the amendment, and II was sgreed to
yeas, 81 nays, 90.
Mr.. Washbune, Of Illinois, offered an
additional amendment, that no proposition
looking 10 the impeachment Of the Presi-
dent shall be considered in the House with
out being first referred TO the Committee 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 a. modified, or as it stood Origi-
nally. He therefore moved to lay il on
the table and demanded the yeas and nays;
but ffty-three members voted and the mo-
ton was lost Yeas, 20; nays, 80.
The resolution as amended was then
passed by three 10 one.
Several members favored the reference Of
the whole matter 10 the foFlieth Congress,
on the ground that the Senate would not
have time for the trial during this Con-
gress.
Mr. Bingham said the House Of Repre-
sentatives of the thirty-ninth Congress
could not agree 70 articles Of impeachment.
For the Senate Of the fortieth Congress to
try that, would be- he said, carrying the
business Of one Congress over TO another
one.
Mr.. Stevens said that the constitution
made the Senate a perpetual body, and
that il did not expire on the 4th of March.
He maintained that business before the
Senate, on the adjournment Of this Con-
gees, could be finished by the Senate of
the fortieth Congress.
A member suggested that such was not
the practice Of the Senate Business pend
ing at the expiration Of a Congress had to
be reintrOduced 10 be considered in a Sen
ate belonging to a new Congress.
Mr. Bingham, Of Ohio, spoke for some
time on this question, arguing that, as one
third Of the present Senators would go out
on the fourth Of March, the President
could not afterwards continue 10 be triedby
a Senate composed of one-third new mem
bers, on articles partially tried by the pre-
ceding Senate
Mr. Stevens thought there would be am
pie time in this Congress to DO whatever
was to be done. He was not, however, in
favor Of fastening a matter Of this kind too
rapidly. He was willing TO afford an OPP
portunity for members Of Congress 10 give
due consideration 10 the measure proposed.
A member-"Are you in favor Of the
impeachment Of the President ?"
Mr.. Steyens-"Yes, sir, believe he
ought to be impeached but 1 am not will
ling to 20 into the matter harshly. When
il is done it ought to be done thoroughly
and with certainty"
Mr. Spalding, Of Ohio, said he was not
in favor Of any impeachment project Of
any kind. No good and mucn harm
would result from any movement in that
direction.
Mr. Highly, Of California, said this ques-
| ton was the gravest one ever presented 70
the House Of Representatives in the history
Of the government, and he hoped that the
members would approach it with due con-
| sideration and seriousness. He was opposed
/ 20 any nasty action in this caucus or in tie
! House.
Mr.. Washburue, Of Illinois, said that he
/ entertained some doubt as to the ability Of
/ the House to find legal ground for the
/ President impeachment. It was not GER
tain that two-thirds Of the Senate favored
/ IT, The President had done many serious
and objectionable things but he thought
that the proposition for his impeachment
/
committees, in order that il should be reg
ularly and dispassionEtely considered, be
fore being presented for the formal action
Of the House.
Mr.. Boutwell,, Of Massachusetts,, said he
was in favor of commencing the work OF
impeachment at this session, though be
favored determining The question in caucus
| first ...
Mr.. Bingham made the point that an ar.
ticle Of impeachment for the reasons he
had previously stated, should not be pre-
ferred during the present Congress, for
want Of time. He reminded gentlemen
that the trial Of Warren Hastings las.,t
seven years.
The debate, at this point became yery
spirited and earnest but did not 60 beyond
the points covered by this synopsis.
Mr. Bingham spoke excitedly and i'm
pulsiyely There appeared to be a gen
eral disposition upon the part Of thOs
present TO vote for any inquiry into th
matter as TO whether the President shout,
be impeached, while a large number wer
Of the opinion that he ought TO be i'm
peached at cnce.
The absence Of 30 many members de
tracted from the proceeding, and the caucu
| adjourned, subject 20 future call