Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-02-26
IMPEACHMENT OF THE
PRESIDENT.

In Senate, Feb II, the President sent the nom
ination Of George b. Mcclellan as Minister Plcn-
ipotentiary TO England. The President also
nominated Major General George H. Thomas to
be Lieutenant General by brcvet, also JAS Il.
llubbell Of Ohio as Minister TO Ecuador
The President sent an executive message to the
Senate stating that on the 18th OF August last
under the authority vested in him by the Const-
tuition of the United States he suspended Edward
NJ. Stanton as Secretary Of War, and now, by the
same authority, he had removed MIR. Stanton and
appointed in his place. at interim, Adjutant
General Lorenzo Thomas The President en-
closes the communications sent to Messrs Stan
ton and Thomas on the subject.
Soon after the Senate went into executive Sos
sion a committee consisting Of Senators Cameron,
Chandler, Thaycr and Cattell proceeded to the
War Office and informed Mr.. Stanton that pend
Ing any action it was the desire Of the Senate that
Mr. Stanton should retain the office and disregard
any orders from the President to the contrary
The committee also waited upon General GIant
and had an interview with him. The committee
expressed themselves entirely satisfied with Gen.
Grants position in this matter.
/ In the House, Mr. Baldwin, from the Joint
/ Committee on Libraries reported an act for Sc
curing to the authors, in certain cases the benefit
OF an international copyright advancing the devel-
opment Of American literature, and promoting the
interests Of publishers and book buyers in the
! United States
The Senate Feb. p, in executive session adopt
ed q resolution (the Democrats dissentng) direct
/ ing that the message of the President announcing
the removal Of See, Stanton and the temporary APP
pointment of Gen. Thomas, be returned to the
President with an endorsement thereon that this
cannot be done without violation Of the act of
/ Congress on the tenure Of Office.
] In the House, Feb. p, soon after o'clock Mr..
Stevens tottered to his seat, and in few minutes
rose and asked leave to oller report from the
committee on reconstruction.
The report was read by the Clerk Of the House
in clear and distinct tone. II set forth the facts
in the attempted removal of Mr.. Stanton and the
appointment of Gen. Thomas.
The report concludes with the recommendation
that THE PRESIDENT BE nGrEAcHED, and the com
nittee submit the following resolution:
Resoloe1 That Andrew Johnson President of
the United States be mpeaohed Of high crimes
and misdemeanors in Office.
All the Republican members Of the committee
signed the report.
Mr.. Stevens briefly stated his desire to submit
I the resolution without discussion, unless the gem
temen on the other side desired to debate it,
Mr.. Brooks complained that the minority on the
committee had not had time to prepare a minority
report, and found fault otherwise with the proceed
ings.
The resolution to impeach the President was
debated during the afternoon and evening and
was participated in by large number of the mem
bers with the understanding that the debate shall
continue on Monday ard a vote be taken at o.
clock in the afternoon.
The Senate adjourned to Monday.
/ In the House, Feb. %, Immediately after Mr.
Stevens had reported the resolution for impeach-
ment, Mr.. Brooks of n Y. Unexpectedly defed
the majority Of Congress, and declared that he and
bis friends will never submit. Other Democrats
took part in the debate, but in better temper and
without much favor TO the President Nessrs