Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-01-07
THE RADICAL CAUCUS.

Of REPRESENTATIVES resolutions looking to the
impeachment of the President occasioned call
for caucus Of the Radical members on
Saturday night About seventy members re-
sponded to the call. Hon Glenol ". Scotield,
of PENNSYLVANIA, was made chairman, and
Hon. Tcnatius Donrelly, OF Minnesota, sccreta-
ry.
The onIy subject considered in the caucus
was the proposed impeachment Of the Pest
dent.
Mr. spaldng, Of Ohio introduced resolA
tion TO the effect that no measure looking to-
ward the i'm parchment Of The President should
he presented in the House unless previously
agreed upon in the caucus This was alter
wards amended with proviso that, before ony
fipal action he taken by caucus, the SUBJECT
should be referred to the Committee on the Ju
dietary.
Mir. Ashley, orOEio, moved furthcramend-
ment of Mr.. Spald!ng's resolution, 10 the effect
that no articles of impeachment should be
preferred without first coming under the con
sideration of caucus This was agreed to.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, moved that
the whole subject be laid upon the table: This
was decided in the negative by vote or nearly
two TO one. The original resolution as amend
ed was finally agreed to By large majority.
Mr. Binpham insisted in the debate that ar
tcIes of impeachmcnt should not be brought
forward during the present Congress. lie op,,
posed such action, on account OF the want OF
fine to conclude the proceeding before the ex-
nirsticn OF the Congress. He cItci The seven
rears duration of the trial Of Warren Hastings,
and raised tie questions whether an lmpeach-
mcnf could be partly tried by the Senate OF the
Thirty ninth Congress also, whethcrtnc House
If REPRESENTATIVES Of the Thirtyninth Con-
uress could prefer articles OF impeachment on
which the President could be ired by the Sc
nate of the Forteth Congress; or whether,
should articles OF impeachment now be pre-
lerred and the lrial Of them not concluded at
the expiration Of the present Congress, they
would hay, to be renewed in the forileth Con
gress
Mr.. Ste:ens, CT Pennsylvania, commended that
the Senate did not expire with the Congress on
The 18th OF March next, It being perpetual
body. lie thought there would be ample time
in this Congress 10 do Whatever was to be done.
He was rot however, in favor OF Fastening a
marter Of this kind too rapidly. tie was vii
Ing to afford an opportunity Tor members OF
Congress to give due consideration to the
measure proposed He believed that it ought
TO te done, but was not wiling to go INFO 1t I'M
less it could be done thoroughly and certainly.
Mr. Spaldlng, OF Ohio, opposed the proposed
action very earnestly. He did not believe that
any good would result from it.
Mr. Highy, o! California, thought it the
most momen!ou question that had been pre-
santed for the consideration OF The members OF
this Congress, and deprecated any hasty action
Mr.. Wash"urn, of Illinois, did rot think
that impeachment was possible. He thought
that the proposition for Impeachment should
he referred 20 one OF the standing committees,
in order that it should be regularly considered
before bring presented for the formal action o1
the House.
Mr. Boutwell, OF Massachusetts, supported
Mr.. Stevens. and contendcd that The work
should be begun without delay by the present
Congress.
Mr. Wha2cy, of West Virginia, sustained
the position OF hiessrs. Spa'ding and Bingham
Alter two hours discussion it was finally
Determined that 10 resolution looking toward
the imuoachmant of the President should be
adouted unless sanctioned BY q vote Of two
thirds Of the Republican members in caucus
and that N the meantime all resolutions on the
subject should be referred TO the Judiciary
Committee the House without debate.
It vas understood previous to the meeting
of the caucus that Mr. Ashley was determined
to bring forward his resolutions and press them
to vote in the House on Monday, bat it Is
believed th&t this course may be abandoned in
Difference TO the decided opposition 10 It maui
tested in The caucus National LtcEltgc"cer.