New-York tribune., 1867-03-07
WASHINGTON.


THE MPEACHMEST-THE NEW, SENATE COMMITTEE
ON APPROPRIATIONS.
sy THlKsRAPH TRsaUSE.
WAsHINGTCN wednesday, March,
In the Senate to-dav Messrs Doolitue and Patter-
son arose 20 a personal explanation, and III the
strongest and most mequvOcal terms DENIED the
CHARGES brought against them IN the report Oh inc
Committee appointed to investigate the New-1oih
Custom House frauds Mr.. Doohtte prohliscu "
fuller and more complete yindcalOn OF mliS'li "n.
his son at future time. Mr. Patterson cohtehteu
himself with few sentences of flat cohuaocuoh'
characteIizing the whole accusation as laise "s
bolID Mr. Simmer introduced the bill, of which he
gave notice yesterday, to provide repuDIcan loIlh
of government for the Rebel States III emDoues tho
principal features of the Louisiana bill OF the House.
ut is more stringent in its terms than that III pro-
ydes that the President by and with the advice ana
consent of the Senate, shall appoint Governor ana
legislative council for each of the insurrectonary
States and prescribes the manner In which civil
government shall be inaugmated under them'
Rebels are not disfranchsed, but before voting they
are required to take an oath to support Republican
form of government the definition of which is given
in the oath. 1t is not probable that any action will
be taken on this bill before the recess. Mr.. Wilson
introduced bin TO declare null and void the election
held in Alexandria yesterday
The House met to-day, but remained IN session
only twenty-five minutes. number OF resolutions
were introduced and appropriately referred The
reason of the short session was for the purpose OF
stopping all legislation until the Republican caucus
of this evening shall have agreed on apan OF opera
tons. A number of members seemed TO desire rush
of business and on important questions the majority
were all at sea, a large number of the same being
new members and consequently usophishcated.
The great event of to-day was the caucus of the
Republican members of the HOuse, which was held
this evening in the hall of the House ef Representa-
tives number Of the State delegations held
private caucuses afterthe adjournment OF the House
to-day for the purpose of harmonizing and deteTmin
ing on some plan of action There were three im-
portant propositions proposed for the party 10 pur
sue. The first was that of Wilson from Iowa, who
proposed that the question of impeachment should
be continued with the remaining seven members
Df the Judiciary Committee of the last
Congress and the House adjourn at an
early day. Butler proposed that six more members
should be added TO the seven of the Judiciary to
which the question of Impeachment should be re-
fered, and that Congress should adjourn early Lo-
gan favored an increase Of the Committee, but also
favored a continual session The attendance was
very large. Gen. Banks presided Ashley led off by
offering resolution that the question of impeach-
lnent be left with the remaining members Of
the Judiciary Committee Several members
rose to debate the question, and discussion
was limited to five minutes 10 each speaker
Coyode Butler and Logan opposed this and
favored an increase of the Committee, in the be- !
lief that the new members should not be disregded
ind TO reach this end COvOde moved TO add SIX mem
bers to the Committee, making in all 13. Judge |
Spalding of Ohio wished TO know if the Judiciary |
Coinmittee had any facts bearing on the mat |
ter--chafges not known to the public If so, |
he would like to know what they We're |
Representative Wilson of Ohio replied, it would be
improper to make any communication On
that subject Representative Pike of Maine said he
believed the two Coqmittees were III favor o. Tie
Judiciary Committee but thought it more important
20 determine the time of adjournment. as that was
the point which vitally affected the question
of impeachment. lie willing to adjourn
over until the Autumn, in order to afford
the Committee ample time to investigate the subject
Gen. Butler made an earnest appeal for Special |
Committee; precedents of the British Parliament !
were all that way; disparagement Of the late Ju-
dietary Committee was intended at ALL Representative
Blaine of Maine said that whether intended or not
il would be considered as Tebuke to the JUDICIARY
Committee if the investigation which they had been
pursuing for sixty days was now taken out
Of their hands. He hoped it would not be done
Representative Bingham of Ohio said the
eight preeedents Of impeachment cases III this
country were, with exception, III favor
Of referring TO the Judiciary Committee, and
that exception leu 10 Il HcbCJuOuS Dluhdcl'
Representative Blaine inquired Of Mr. Shellabarger
how it would be in case articles OF impeachment
should be carried in the House by a major
aty less than the number Of members to
which the absent States were entitled. Rep
resentative Shellabarger replied, 1t would
not affect the validity Of the action OF the
House. Gen. Butler said the postponement till
Autumn was simply to abandon the whole idea
Bingbaml acted as the champion Of
those opposed TO impeachment, and
favored Ashlcys idea of leaving the matter with the
old Committee. Butler answered the arguments Of
Bingham, and asked the direct question whether or
aot he was opposed in toto to Impeachment under any
circumstances. Bingham defended his position, and
stated that he not in favor of impeachng first
and irving afterward, but that, if sufficient
grounds were found he favOrefit most decidedly.
Covode's amendment to Asheys resolution was de-
feated two TO one Ashleys motion then prevailed,
Butler especially faTOring it. The question Of adj
iOurnment then came up and Mr.. Stevens moved
that the House should take recess until the Sth of
May Wilson of Iowa moved TO amend by making
the time Oct J. This was lost by vote Of more
than two 10 one Allison then moved that the House
take recess for only three days at
lime until the question OF impeachment was decided.
Pomeroy then moved TO amend AllisOn's motion to
take recess on Monday next until the Sth OF May,
which was carried by vote Of 81 to a. The caucus
continued for three hours and half and was gener-
ally tranquil the passage between Butler and Bmg-
ham, which was quite sharp being the only excep-
ton. 1t is the opinion Of many thab the house
viii not support the action OF the caucus
In resolving TO adjourn on Monday, as
is alleged the Senate will not be ready to