Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-07
BY TELEGRAPH.
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES
LATEST FROM ALL QUARTERS

WASHINGTON, January b.-lhe hepuD'
lican members of the House held eau
Gus: Sco6eld, of Pennsylvania, in the
Chair, and Donnelly, of Minnesota, Sec
rotary. There we're seventy members
present The subject drew forth spiri-
ted discussion. The proceedings we're
marked by learning Mr.. Spalding, Of
Ohio, introduced resolution that no
measure looking toward the impeach-
ment of the President should be pre-
scented to the House, unless previously
agreed in the caucus, which was amend
ed with proviso that before final action
by the caucus the subject should be re-
ferred TO the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Ashley, Of Ohio, moved an amend
ment to the effect that no articles OF i'm
parchment be preferred without first
coming under consideration in the eau
Gus Agreed to-
Mr.. Stevens, Of Pennsylvania, moved
that the whole subject be laid upon the
table, which was decided in the negative
by a vote of nearly two to one.
The original resolution, as amended,
was agreed to by large majority, after
warm debate between Messrs. Stevens,
Bingham and others on the legal ques-
tons involved in the proposed impeaeh-
ment. The point was raised whether
the impeachment could be partly tried
by the Senate of the thirty-ninth Con-
gress and partly by that of the Fortieth {;
also whether the House of Representa-
tives of the thirty ninth Congress could
prefer articles Of impeachment to be
tried by the Senate of the fortieth, or
whether should articles of impeachment
be now preferred and the trial not con-
cluded at the expiration of the present
Congress, they would have to be renewed
in the fortieth Congress.
Mr.. Stevens took the ground that the
Senate did not expire with Congress, it
being perpetual body.
Mr.. Bingham, of Ohio, held a different
opinion, arguing that as one-third of the
present Senators 60 out on the fourth OF
March, the President could not after
ward continue to be tried by the Senate,
composed of one-third new members, on
articles partially tried by the preceding
Senate.
Mr.. Stevens thought Congress had am
pie time to do whatever was to be done.
He was not, however, in favor of hasten
ing matters of this kind too rapidly, but
was willing to afford members of Con-
gres. opportunity to give due considera-
ton to the measure proposed. He be-
lieved It ought to be done, but was not
willing to go into it unless it could be
done thoroughly.
Mr.. Spaulding, Of Ohio, opposed the
proposed action very earnestly, and did
not believe any good would result from it.
Mr.. Highly. of California, thought it
a most momentous question for the con-
sideration of the Congress, and depre-
Gated any hasty action.
Mr.. Washburn, of Illinois, said be die
not think impeachment possible, and
while he believed the President had don't
many things seriously Objectionable, hs
though the proposition Of Impeachment
should be referred to one Of the standing
committee, in order to be regularly and
dispassionately considered before being
presented for final action in the House
Mr.. Boutwell,, Of Massachusetts, sup
ported the proposition.
Mr. Ashley thought the work should
be commenced during the present Con-
gress The debate was spirited, Mr.
Bingham speaking in an impulsive styl,
and Mr.. Stevens exhibiting correspond
ing degree Of earnestness. There ap
peared TO be general disposition on III,
part Of those present to vote without in
Quiry into the matter, as to whether thu
President should be impeached, Will
large numbers were Of opinion he ough
to be impeached at once.
Mr.. Bingham made pOiat that tn
articles Of impea Nment, for reason
previously stated, should be preferre'
ddfing the Congress for want of time
and reminded the gentleman that tn
trial Of Warren Hastings lasted seTel
years
II vas finally determined that no res
olution looking toward the Impeachment
Of the President Ss adopted, unless sane