The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-12-03
Congress-.

from Massachusetts was presented, ASKING AoA
equal male and female suffrage in the District
The military committee we're ordered 70 en-
ouire into the expediency of reducing the regular
army A resolution returning thanks to Sheri-
dan. Sickles, Pope and Schofeld was referred.
Edward Dunbar, Editor of the New York Globe,
was ordered to appear before the Bar of the Sem
ate for contempt
In the House a resolution was adopted that
no committee shall incur expense hereafter with
ont further order of the House. Mr. Boutwell,,
the second member of the Judiciary committee,
rose to report the testimony taken by the com
mittee on impeachment and majority report.
The Chairman. Mr. Wilson, dissenting the
port was prepared by Mr. Williams of Pennsyl
rania The summary of the majority report is
as follows:
lin accordance with the facts herewith sub
mitted and the view of the law herewith pre-
scented. the committee is of opinion that Andrew
johnson, President of the United States, is guilty
of high crimes and misdemeanors, in that" &c.
1t closes with the following resolution Reso1red,
That Andrew johnson be impeached for high
crimes and msdemeanOrs.
The report was followed by mingled express
sions of applause and disapprobation the Speaker,
In the meantime, using his gavel
Mr. Wilson, the Chairman, for himself and
Woodbridge, presented report which concludes
as follows: We therefore, declare that the case
before US, presented by the testimony and meas
ured by the law, does not disclose such high
crimes and msdemeanors within the meaning of
the Constitution, as require the Constitutional
interposition of the power of the House, and re-
commend the adoption Of the following:
Resolced, That the judiciary committee be
discharged from the further consideration of the
proposed impeachment of the President of the
Init nd tbotf ha no laid fba
table"
Mr. Marshall, on behalf of himself and Mr.
Etheridge, stated that they fully concurred in
the resolution offered by the chairman, Mr. Will
son. and also ,concurred entirely with the argu-
ment regarding the law of the case and the APP
plicatiOn of the evidence thereto but there were
differences ON some points which induced him
and Mr. Etheridge to submit q third report.
The reports were all laid On the table, and
made the special order for Wednesday of next
week
The majority of the Impeachment Committee,
in their report recommending impeachment, lay
great stress upon alleged usurpation by the Pres
ident Of the pardoning and the veto power. Also
the authority to make removals and appointments,
and particularly refers to what is termed fla
grant violation of the Constitutional powers of
the Executive, by organizing governments in the
Southern States at the end of the war without
asking the advice Of Congress, as they assert for
personal purposes. The Presidents opinions, in
their estimation, are causing great depletion in
the Treasury. The tenor of the Executive of
fences, throughout the entire report, consists in
alleged usurpatiOns of the powers above men
toned The majority assert also that by various
official and other public declarations the Presi-
dent has sought to obstruct the laws of Congress
for the pacifcaton of the States, with particular
reference to the Constitutional amendment ap-
proved by Congress This report is very lengthy
and signed by Boutwell,, Williams, Churchill,
Thomas and Lawrence.
The report presented by Wilson and Wood
bridge dissented from the views of the majority,
asserting that there was no evidence presented
which demanded impeachment; but they con-
demned his political views and were willing to
censure.
The report by Marshall and Eldridge strongly
defends the President from abuse by his political
enemies, and asserts that his only fault consists
in not holding to the political views of the party
which elected him, in subjugating the people of
the South. The report is extremely caustic, and
abuses harshly some of the witnesses who test-
fed before the committee. Baker is accused of
peri Jury. They conclude: ''The President will
be held IN respect by his countrymen, when his
calumnatOrs are pilloried in the undying scorn
A bill to suspend civil officers during impeach-
mcnt was referred to the judiciary committee.
A motion of Blaine, of Maine, to reconsider
the vote of reference and to table the vote to re-
consider, which fastens the bill on the judiciary
committee and removes it from arbitrary control
of the House, was regarded as sort of test. on
this question. This motion prevailed with but
little opposition, indicating the weakness of the
scheme to suspend before conviction
Under suspension of the rules a resolution
was adopted declaring that in the present condi-
ton of the finances the further purchase of ter
ritory is inexpedient, and the House holds itself
under no obligation to vote money for such pur-
chases.
NOVEMBER 26.-In the Senate bill contin-
uing in service Genrs Howard and Sickles was
referred to the Military Committee. After an
executive session, the Senate adjourned.
House.-Gen Grant was called on for the cor.
respondence between himself and others regard
ing the removals Of Stanton and Sheridan, and
general matters regarding reconstruction The
Military Committee was directed to enquire into
the expediency of paying the Army weekly, in
stead of every two months. The Committee on
Freedmen's affairs was directed to enquire and
report the reasons, if any, for continuing the
Freedmen's Bureau. Detective Baker was ar
rested by order of the Judiciary Committee, and
discharged on payment OF cost. The Committee
on Ways and Means were directed to enquire
into the expediency of taxing Z. S. Bonds and
National Banks for the liquidation of State
debts. Thad. Stevens left the House much in
disposed. The impeachment interest has died
out