The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-05-02

distinction made by both common and stat
ute laws between crime and an attempt
As the civil Tenure of Office bill relates on
ly to actual removals from office, and the
President had made none, the charges made
in most Of the articles fail. Aside from this
objection, which, though technical, should
have weight, he would maintain these three
propositions That the Tenure. of. Office law
Is void If not, that Stanton is not covered
by it, and even If il is legal and applicable,
that the President is not guilty of crime, be.
cause he acted from laudable motives. He
quoted at great length from debates on the
formation Of the Constitution, the passage
of the net of 1880, and from numerous legal
authorities to show that the question Of the
| Presidents power Of removal was definitely
settled by the action Of Congress at that time.
lie next considered the position that Con-
gross has by implication superior power to
the Executive. lie maintained that no
greater power were granted in that way 10
the Legislative than to the Executive branch
Of the Government.
At this point the Senate took a recess Of
fifteen minutes.
On re. assembleing Nelson continued the CT.
tation Of authorities in support Of the Presi.
dents views on the question Of his power Of
removal. He proceeded to argue that the
President had the same power TO construe
the acts of Congress as Congress itself,
again supporting his views by numerous
quotations. All the preceding arguments
he held proved that the Tenure.Of. Office law
Ia unconstitutional and void. Nelson then
claboratcly discussed the proposition that no
charge can be maintained which does not
allcge criminal intent, which he said was
not done except in the fifth article. The
Senate adjourned at the conclusion Of Mel.
sons remarks.
WASHINGTON, April 27.-In the House
Ortiz offered a resolution Of inquiry as to
the power Of Congress 10 regulate the
safety and fare Of passengers on railroads.
Adopted.
Bayne introduced a bill to admit Ar
kansas to representation in Congress ; re-
ferred to Committee on Reconstruction
The Herald's Washington special says
Schofeld's nomination was made with his
consent and pprovaI.
The Worlds dispatch mentions rumors
Of a break 10 the Republican line of Sen.
ators. -Four are named as certain to vote
against impeachment.
The friends Of the President are now
confident Of his acquittal.
In the Senate the Court opened at noon
The Chief Justice announced the pending
question to be the motion Of Edmnnds, tC
admit official reporters to the secret sessions,
to take down the debate on the final pro.
ceedings. Several amendments were offered
and rejected, and finally the consideration Of
the subject was postponed till after the ar
gument was concluded. The additional rules
offered by Sumner were also laid over until
. tho ctnna If the aruxarunuH Gfapann khau Ia
gan 10 read his argument from printed slips
but was soon compelled to sit down from
weakness. Butler read the remainder Of tn,
= argument in the Senate. Stevens began b.
saying he did not intend 10 make a Ions
! speech. lie would therefore pass over thu
other articles Of impeachment and conint
himself TO the one submitted by himself
; This he considered amply sufficient q
Z secure the conviction Of the President
if there were no others. When An
drew johnson succeeded the Presidency, r.
took m oath 10 support the Constitution ant
see that the laws arc faithfully executed
, How had he kept his oath? Let his publ,
: acts for the last two years answer. ii,
: would not refer 10 what might be told Of hi
minor crimes, but would glance for n momen
! at his last grand and fragrant violation Of tn
laws he had sworn to execute. lie ~referre'
4 ~ AH AAAS - 1%<ANNA NAah ~
= speaker here entered into q general discus
I sion of the Tenure Of Office acts. AT thi
E point Stevens was compelled 10 stop reading
: whereupon Gen. Butler volunteered to reai
, it for him. Stevens thanked him, and But
: Ter proceeded to read the speech in a clea
I. tone. The learned counsel for the Presi
; dent had c~ontended that johnson, on sue
cecding to the Presidential Office, had en-
. tered on a new term. He denied this Il
, toto. He was but serving an unexpire'
: term Of Lincoln. Johnson. in defence q
himself, had cited the action of his prede
. cessor. Had there been no laws by Con
gress, then his action would have been par
. allel with theirs but since he sat in tn
. White House, Congress had passed a Ia,
i which made it criminal FOR him to remov
!, officers without the advice and consent of tn
. Senate. Tho President says he did not re
move Stanton under the Tenure of Office law
= and then in a letter to the Secretary of tn
;, Treasury c~ontradicted his own statement
= The speech proceeds at length to discuss tn
, 18th Article of Impeachment, and conclude
; with q statement that peace cannot come I
: the country until johnson is removed.