Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1867-01-15
The Impeachment.

ne lolioWlhg are the proceedings
in the House in the matter of inn
peaching the President.
Mr.. Ashley Of Ohio, rose to ques-
ton Of privilege, and said II rise,
sir, to perform a painful duty, and a
duty, nevertheless, which | deem i'm
perative on me; a duty which | think
cannot be further postponed
A duty which cannot, without
criminality on our part, be longer
neglected. | had hoped this duty
would have devolved on an older and
more experienced member of this
House than myself. Priorto our adj
journment | asked leave to introduce
this resolution, but | failed to obtain
a suspension Of the rules. Confident
that the loyal people Of this country
approve the action provided for me,
the proposition that | am now about
to submit.
Mr.. Finck, Of Ohio, rose to ques-
ton Of order, that there was no
question before the House.
The Speaker decided the point of
order to be we'll taken and said if it
were insisted on, the gentleman from
Ohio Ashley could not be permitted
to proceed.
Mr.. Smith insisted on the point of
order.
Mr.. Ashley: "Then, Sir, on my re-
sponsibIlity as a Representative in
this House, and in the presence and
before he American people, | charge
Andl Johnson, Vice President and
acting President Of the United States,
with the commission of high crimes
and misdemeanors, and now pro-
pose restitution" Applause in the
gallery
Mr.. Fincl, rose to another point OF
order, whether the question raised by
Mr.. Ashley was properly question
Of privilege
The Speaker decided it was; that
it had 50 been decided upon point
Of order raised by Hon. Horace Ev-
crett, Of Vermont, in the Twenty
seventh Congress.
Mr.. Ashley then presented q pres
amble and resolution, as follows:
| do impeach Andrew Johnson,
Vice-President and acting President
Of the United States, OF high criminal
misdemeanors. | charge him with
the usurpaton of power and violation
Of law, in that he has corruptly abus-
ed the appointing and pardoning
power in that he has corruptly dis
posed Of the public property of the
United States; in that he has corrupt
~ interfered in the elections, and
committed acts and conspired with
others to commit acts, which are high
crimes and misdemeanors therefore
be it
Resolred, That the Committee on
judiciary be, and they are hereby
authorized to inquire into the official
conduct of Andrew Johnson, Vice
President in discharging the power
and duties Of President Of the L nited
States, and to report to this House
whether, in thor opinion, the said
Andrew Johnson, while in said Office,
has been guilty of acts which were
designed or calculated to overthrow,
subvert, or to corrupt the government
Of the United States, or any depart
ment or officer thereof, and whether
the said Andrew Johnson has been
guilty Of any act, or has conspired
with others to do acts, which, in the
contemplation of the committee, are
high crimes and misdemeanors, re-
curing the interposition of the con
stitutional power Of this House, and
that said committee have power to
send for persons and papers, and to
administer the customary oaths to
witnesses.
Mr. Finck, Of Ohio, demanded the
yeas and nays. The motion was lost.
Yeas, 80; nays 105.
The Speaker stated the question to
be upon seconding the demand for
the previous question.
Mr.. Bingham, Of Ohio, inquired
whether if that demand were not Sec
onded, it would be in order to move
to refer the resolution to the Com
mittec on Judiciary.
The Speaker said that it would
Mr.. Bingham then | hope the de
mand will not be seconded.
Mr.. Ashley-And | hope that it
will"
On motion of Mr.. Bingham, teilers
were ordered and the demand for the
previous question was seconded by a
vote Of IS yeas to 46 nays.
Mr.. Hubbell, of Ohio, inquired
whether a motion to refer the reso~
luton to the Judiciary Committee
would be in order.
The Speaker decided that it would
not, unless the vote seconding the de
mand for the previous question should
be reconsidcrcd.
Mr.. Hubbell, of Ohio, moved to re
consider that vote.
Mr.. Wentworth, Of H., hoped that
it would be done, as he wanted to
make speech upon the subject
{ Laughter.
Mr.. Stevens, Of Pa, moved to lay
the motion to reconsider upon the
table, which was done, by vote of
yeas 95, nays II.
The Speaker then declared the
question to be upon agreeing to the
resolution
Mr. Niblacs,, Of Ind, raised point
Of order that the motion to reconsider