Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-03-04
Articles of Impeachment.

The Select Committee submitted to the
House, on Saturday, ten Articles of I'M
peachment which substantially impeach the
President on the following charges:
lst. That he unlawfuly and unconstitu-
tionally, on the 2lst OF February, removed
Secretary Stanton from the War Office. This
article then proceeds, specifically stating the
suspension Of August 18th, his report of
such suspension, with his reasons therefor,
to the Senate, December 18th, the noncon-
currence of the Senate in the sufficiency of
such reasons, January 18th, the immediate
reinstatement of the Secretary which fol-
lowed, and his absolute removal with the
appointment of Thomas as his successor dCi
Interim February 2lSt, the same being with
the intent by the President to violate the
Tenure of Office Act.
End. That, on the 2lst of February, lie
unlawfully and unconstitutiQnally appointed
said Thomas as Secretary dd interim.
3rd. Substantially repeats the charge in
| the second Article, with the added specifca-
ton that be had appointed Thomas no va
cancy existing at the time, and without the
advice and consent of the Senate, which was
then in Session.
4th. That, on the 2lst of February, he
| conspired with said Thomas and other per-
sons unknown, In violation of the Conspira-
cy Act of July 3lst, 1861, with the intent
| to lntlmlGate the Secretary of War, and by
| threats to hinder and prevent him from
| holding the Office to which he was legally
entitled.
5th That, on the 2lst of February, and
| at other times prior to the 28th of Februa-
ry, he conspired with said Thomas and other
persons to prevent and hinder the execution
OF the Tenure Of Office Act, and specifying
the attempt to prevent Secretary Stanton
from holding his office according to law.
9th. That, on the 2lst of February, he
conspired with said Thomas to seize, take
and possess the property of the United States
in the War Department, contrary to the
provisions of the Conspiracy Act of 1861,
and of the Tenure of Office Act of March,
1867.
7th. That he had on the 2Ist of Februa-
ry and other days, ,conspired with said Thom-
as to prevent and hinder the execution of
the Tenure of Office Act, specifying the at
tempt to prevent Secretary Stanton from
holding the office to which he was lawfully
entitled.
8th. That, on the 2lst of February, he
conspired with said Thomas to seize, take
and possess the public property in the War
Depal tment. with intent to violate and dis
regard the Tenure of Office Act
9Th. That, on the 2lst day cf February,
he appointed Thomas TO be Secretary ad
interim, there being then no vacancy, the
| Senate being In session and without its ad-
vice and consent, with the intent unlawfully
to control the disbursements of moneys ap-
propriated for expenditures in that Depart
| meDt. -
10th. That on the 22d of February, he at
| tempted to corrupt the official integrity of
| Gen. Emory, the commander of the Depart
ment of Washington with the intent TO in
stigate said Emory, in his official acts as
such Commander, to violate the appropria-
ton law of March I'd, 1867, by disregarding
the section thereof which directs that all
military orders or instructions shall be is
sued through the General of the army only
Each of these articles expressly includes
the charge that in the offences therein al
legged, .the President committed and was
guilty of a high misdemeanor' in office
except on the 4th and 9th articles charging
him with violations of the Conspiracy Act of
| 1861, expressly declare that his offences
| therein are ''hfgh crimes"
These articles arraign the President for
the violation of three duly enacted laws of
the United States, viz: the Conspiracy Act
of July 3lst, 1861, the appropriation Act
Of March I'd, 1867, and the Tenure OF Office
| At, also of the latter date for the viola
ton, in each specification Of the articles, of
his oath of Office, and as to the LIST, I'd, Sd,
18th and 10th articles, violations of the Con
stitution.