The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-08
FROM WASHINGTON THIS AFTERNOON.
ESPECIAL DISPATCHES TO EVENING TELEGRAP 1 ]
WASHINGTON, March 8.
The I'm mpeach m ent QuoatlOn.


The debate in the House yesterday on the
proposed impeachment indicates pretty clearly
the temper of members on that exciting sub
iect. The extreme radicals still hug to their
bosoms their old darling of immediate Execu-
tive decapitatOn; but the moderates advise
prudence, deliberation, and calmness in prose-
cutting a work of such solemn import. Mr..
Ashley evidently intends to keep up his
fire on 'the man at the other end of the
avenue" for he uttered an anti-Johnson
denuDclatiOn fercer, if possible, than any
before. Gesticulating excitedly, he remarked
that he would say nothing as to
the terrible doubt that oppressed his mind as
to completely with the assassination conspiracy,
and the mysterious connection between death
and treachery. The utterance of this dark
insinuation again created a profound sensation
among the spectators assembled in the gal
leries, including a liberal representation of the
diplomatic corps. The Democratic members
alone seemed to take the matter in an uncon-
cerned manner, laughing at Ashley's excited
manner and interrupting him with semi -jocose
questions. The speech of Mr.. Spalding, who
called the impeachment project "a stupendous
folly" and asked if the policy of the Cromwell
times and the scenes enacted under Danton,
Marat, and RObespierre were to be repeated,
made quite an impression, Gen. Butler replied
in a Characteristic manner to Mr.. Spalding,
but his point was simply the old one that Pre-
sident Johnson should be removed at all
hazards if he stood in the way of peace, har-
mony, unity law, and reconstruction.
On this subject of impeachment it is difficult
to see the end. The extreme element, which
favors hot-headed measures of suspension,
seems to have met with check. have
heard Republicans express the opinion that
impeachment is all humbug, that the Judi
ciary Committee failed miseTably in sustaining
any serious charges, and that there had been
enough of the matter until the end of Andrew
Johnson's term. This savors very much of
backing down from the solemn position taken
by the dominant party last session.
The action of the Senate caucus, in laying
on the table the proposition of Wednesday
nights Republican caucus, changes suddenly
the probabilities that existed this morning of
the adjournment on Monday next, the difficulty
presenting itself of the inability of one branch
adjourning Congress without the consent of
the other. 1t has been made manifest that
there is not only among many of the
Republican members an unwilling con-
currence with the course determined upon
last night, but so strong hostility to
this course on the part of a majority of the
Senate that it is impossible to carry into effect
last nights determination. The feeling en-
tertained by majority of the Senate that the
facts thus far elected by the House Judiciary
Committee would prove a dangerous basis
upOu W pTOCc0u 10 llIlpedCnneuL, Will
force the House to agree to an adjournment to
October next. Senators take the position that
if there is any sincerity in the movement of
the leading prosecutors the House should pro-
ceed Immediately to carry out their pro-
gramme, or consent to an adjournment over
the summer months, and thereby virtually
acknowledge the abandonment of the whole
question. leading Representative, on being
informed of the action, or want of action, of
the Senate caucus, exclaimed, 81 am very glad
of it." 1t is claimed by some of the pro-
nOunced conservatives that many of those
who voted for the adjournment to May were
induced to do so only through the stimulant
of severe party discipline.
Temperance.
The Congressional Temperance Society is to
hold third public meeting in the Hall of the
House OF Representatives next Sunday night.
The Police OF the Capital.
The late Congress, while making the appro-
priation for the salaries of the Metropolitan
Police, provided that hereafter no person shall
be appointed as policeman or watchman who
has not served in the Army or Navy of the
United States, and received an honorable dis
charge.