The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-02
THE IMPEACHMENT BUSINESS.
DO Impeaeh General GRAND.

Proposition to ImpeRch General Grant.
The Cincinnati Commercial has the following
from its Washington correspondents
II will be rememb bered that about a month
ago Mr.. Ashley offered a resolution in the
House OF Representatives directing the Judi
clAry Committee TO inquire if any officer of the
United States had been guilty of high crimes
or mlsdemeanors within the meaning of the
Constitution, or had conspired to subvert the
Constitution of the United States. This looked
at the time, certainly, to me- and, think, to
most others, rather like the evasion of direct
charge against the President than an attempt
70 make it more comprehensive, and to include
others besides that unhappy gentleman.
There was one gentleman, however, on the
hOOr OF the House of Representatives, who, as
~ by inspiration, saw through it the instant 1T
was offered, and construed Alright the poisonous
malice it concealed under an apparently harm
less coating of words. The presentation of such
resolution, whose coming had not been
heralded by any previous announcement or in
tentiOn, and was known 10 but half-a-dozen
members, very naturally threw the House into
a temporary confusion, and created quite a stir
on the Republican side.
What the public already knows on the sub
ject is only what transpired in the way of regu-
lar business, but the by-play, that did not come
nnder that head, is the important part that
shows the animus of the movement. As soon
rs the resolution was read, Mr.. Bingham jumped
from his seat and went over to Mr.. Ashley, to
whom he addressed some very strong language,
asking him what he meant by such PROPOSE
tioD as that, and why he didn't frame it to apply
TO the President only, instead of making it
drag-net to include every officer of the Govern
ment. Ashley hesitated awhile affecting kna-
wish smile, and replied that "heIguessed it was
al nght.n No, II isn't all right" said Bingham.
ATS stab at General Grant, and no such mali
ciOus thing shall go through the Hodse If can
help it.n "Suppose 1t does include Grant" said
Ashley. Cant we investigate his conduct too |?
And can't we impeaCh him if he has been guilty
under the resolution?" Bingham looked at Ash
ley moment, and replied in nervous wrath,
Ashley, you're fool. Don't you know that
YOU can't impeach any but civil officer Of the
Government under the ConstitutlonW
BY this time quite group had collected
where the colloquy was being held, and Thad.
Stevens scenting breeze. had come over to
avert storm. Addressing him, Bingham
asked what was the meaning of this damnable
assault upon General Grant. "0h, nothing
said Stevens in his insidious way, only we
want to investigate some charges recently made
against him. j don't see why Grant should be
free IRON investigation any more than Johnson.
He's just as bad as Johnson" Bingham again
denounced what he termed very aptly "a foul
conspiracy against the chief officer of the Army
of the Republic" and he gave the few friends oi
the resolution who were around him fair warn
ing that if they passed it he should expose the
cowardly proceeding as it deserved
BY this time the resolution had "gone over,
as the parliamentary phrase is from refusal
the House to suspend the rules. Quiet had beer
restored on the floor, and the business of thu
day was quietly proceeding. Bingham addressed
Ashley, in presence OF several members, In Ian
gnage like this, "TeI the honest truth now, wht
Instigated that resolution W why, what make
YOU think 1t wasn't my ownY inquired Ashley
I'Because." said Bingham, al know there is to-
much cunning in it for you, aud I'll bet YOU any
thing you dare that Thad. Stevens and Bel
Butler either wrote it or dictated its spirit.
Ashley again protested against Binghams righ
to question the authorship; and Bingham agai
repeated that there was too much craft and dc
sign about it for anybody but Stevens or Butler
What from Bingham's earnestness and Ash
ley's family disguised equiyocatioD, the dispHt
had become quite interesting, and number {
radical members had collected around the dis
putants. After some further bantering an
badgering on Binghams part, Ashley confesse
that "Stevens had a little to do with it, an
Butler had little to do with it, and that one
its principal objects was to give Butler an OF
portunity of making and proving certain charge
against General Grant"
Now this is no story of the imagination. II
a statement of fact, given TO me by one who wG
witness to it, and substantiated by others.