Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-25
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
TUESDAY, February q.

the Almighty, and the spirit of wisdom and
guidance from above should be youchsafed 10
the Senators, individually and collectively
when called upon 70 act on a new jurisdiction
After the reading of the journal
Mr. Sumner rose and said he had in his hand
aoopy OF the missing dispatches of Mr. Harvey
Before readlng them, he ought to saw how they
came into his possession. Ii will D. remem-
bered by Senators that committee was ap-
pointed TO wait upon Mr.. Lincoln and ask the
recall OF Mr.. Harvey from Lisbon. On the
ground that he had commu nj catsd with the
enemies OF the country al Charleston. The
committee consisted of himself (Mr. Sumnsrl
Is chairman, Mr. Doolittle, and Mr. boot He
would not now say what was the rec ult OF that
interview; but by reason of being on the COM
In possession OF the dispatches by the Secretary
OF War Mr.. StantoL).
Mr.. Sumner then read the dispatches in gues-
tIon.
At l2.25 minutes, Mr. Mcpherson. IN. Clerk
OF the house OF Representatives, appeared and
announced the passage of the impeac hment r-e-
oinnon as passed by the House.
MT Grimes SAID in connection with the dis
patches which had been read, he supposed the
Senator from Indiana (Mr. Hendricksl had
confounded the first dispatch which had been
read win a letter supposed to have been sent
by Mr.. Harvey. He Mr.. g. understood that
Mr.. Harvey denied that he sent the dispatch
that ort sumter was TO be reinforced but he
attempted 10 send the dispatch, and failed by
reason OF the telegraph being in the hands OF
the Government. Mr.. Grimes asked for the
reading letter from Mr.. Harvey IN corrobo-
ration OF the above.
Mr.. Chandler presented letter from the
Governor Of Michigan, dated at tue MPtropoli-
tan Hotel. addressed TO the Michigan delegation
in Congress, expressing the hope that Congress
would not falter IN Its great work OF presery-
ing the liberties Of the country.
MT. Chandler sent the letter to the desk and
asked for the reading Of il, but when the Sec
retary had read only few lines, he Wa inter-
rupted by
Mr.. Hendricks, who asked what what was
the paper and who II was from.
The Char said II was a letter from the Gov
ernor OF Michigan, and If the Senator objected
10 its reading ii would lie on the table.
Mr.. Grimes said il only private COM
munication and not addressed TO the Senate.
The Chalr repeated the paper would then NJ
upon the table.
ed TO the person who presented il, and De would
ask by what rule Of the Senatr a paper OF such
nature was received.
The Chair said the question must be decided
without debate, and on Its being put the senate
refused to receive the paper.
Mr.. Harlan introduced q bill 10 exempt pro-
Perty IN the District OF Columbia held for
school purposes, from local taxation. Refer
red 10 COMMITTEE on District OF Columbia.
Mr.. Wiley introduced bill 10 provide for
the incorporation OF religious societies an the
District Of Columbia. Referred 10 Committ--
on District OF Columbia.
Mr.. Williams called up the bill To amend the
act TO provide Tor the prompt settlement OF pub
lie accounts; which was passed.
Nr. Trumbull introduced bill TO build
bridge over the Mississippi river, in Madison
county, III. Referred 10 Committee Post
Offices
MIR. Edmunds called up the bill TO regulate
the presentation OF bills TO the President and the
return of the same.
Mr.. Davis said that upon further exsmina-
ton OF this bill he was more than ever satisfied
that IL should not pass. The bill would change
an essential provision of the Constitution
AT ten minutes past one the members OF the
House of Representatives came into the Senate
chamber and took seats the sofas ranged
around the chamber. Directly thereafter
Messrs. Thaddeus Stevens, of Pa, and John
"A. Bingham, OF Ohio, appeared at the bar Of the
Amid profound silence, Mr.. Stevens. who
had the arm of Mr.. Bingham, dropped il, and
stepping forward spoke as follows, in slow and
distinct utterances:
Mr. President, in obedience TO the order of the
House OF Representatives we apear before YOU
and in the name OF the House OF Represeuta-
tlves, and OF all the people Of the United States
do Impeach Andrew johnson, President of the
United States, for high crimes and misdemea-
nors IN Office; and we further inform The Senate
time, xhibt particular articles Of impeachment
against him, and make good the same; and IN
their name we demand that the Senate take
oroer ior the appearance OF said Andrew John
son TO answer the saId impeachment
Tne President pro tem, Mr.. Wade.l The
Senate Will take the order in the premises
Mr.. Howard rose and asked 10 offer a r.solu-
uon.
Mr.. Davis. believe have the floor
The President pro tm- The Senator has the
floor.
Mr.. Davis. 1 was about concluding nav re-
marks, which will occupy but a few moments
Mr. Howard asked If this was not question
OF privilege.
The Chair do not know that there Is anv
rule about IT, This ls an entirely new Quss-
uon. and the Char is not positive on the point
MI. Howard then raised the question of order
as TO W neither Dir. Davis should BE- allowed to
proceed.
The Char. / will submit the question.
Mr.. johnson. Mr.. President, 1 would like
to know what the question OF order is.
The Chair. The Senator from M IL higau will
state his point OF order
Mr.. Howard. The Honse OF Representative
nave announced that they Will in due time pre-.
sent articles OF impeachment against the Pres
ident OF the u nited States, and have asked the
senate 70 take order in the same THIS SUBJ
Ject matter is now before Senate, and my mo-
tod Is for the appointment Of special commit
tee of seven 10 take action.
Mr.. Davis was occupying The attention of the
Senate IN debating question before the Senate
according TO universal usage and the courtesy
which had prevailed between the two HOUSES
he had given way for a message from the House
and as soon r. that message was delivered ne
(Mr. d. was again entitled to the floor. and the
Senator from Michigan could N OF take IL from
him for any purpose whatever.
hr. Edmunds agreed with the Senator from
kentucky tMr. Dayis.) That Senator had
not surrendered the floor bur had
merely suspended his remarks and he
said this much he mr.. l. would not commit
himself as 10 the propriety and delicacy of the
senator's continuing to occupy the ioor under
the circumstances.
Mr.. DAVIS asked no such committal from th,.
senator, as he decided those questions for him.
self. II II had been suggested 10 him 10 give
way, he might have done SO, but he would moi
yield up the floor the demand of the S,.na
tor from Michigan, and would now concIud.
his remarks.
The Chair remarked that the Question oil
order must be decided before the Senator could
be allowed 10 proceed.
MIR. Conness did not rise TO discuss the right
OF this question. but only 10 appeal Ia the SEN
ator nom kentucky TO suspend his remarks for
sne few moments necessary TO consider the reso-
luton of the Senator from Michigan.
Mr.. Davis said il was for the Senate To de-
eide whether he was entitled TO the floor and
until then he declined to say whether be- would
or would not yield the floor
Ihe Chair then put the question. and Mr..
LAWS was desfafed entitled 70 the fioor-Mr
negatiyA "
Mr. Davis.-Mr. President, with much cheer.
fuIness i now yield the floor TO the Senator
from Michigan. (Iaughter.l
Mr.. Howard then offered the following:
kesoiued, That the message Of the House OF
Representatives relating to the impeachment Of
Andrew johnson. President OF the United
States, be- referred 10 q Select COMMITTEES of
seven, 10 consider the same and report thereon.
Mr.. Bayard would call the attention Of the
Senate TO the fact that this message Is bat q
mere notice thai the House Intends TO impeach,
and the Senate has no right TO legisiafe upon e
until the articles Of impeach ment Are presented
The Senate may drst resolve itself into q high