The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-02-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, February %.
SENATE.


Mr.. Sumner read some half dozen dis
patches sent by Minister Harvey in
March, 1851, to McGrath and Others OF
Charleston, informing them of the in
tended action of the administration rel
alive to reinforcing Fort Sumter. The
dispatches were obtained from the Sec
rotary of War.
A letter of explanation from Mr.. Har-
vey was also read.
Mr.. Chandler presented cOmmunlca-
ton from the Governor of Michigan,
which the Secretary proceeded to read.
1t expresses the hope that the Senate
will not fIlter III executing the law
against the Executive, rs well as against
all who sympathize with treason and
rebellion.
Before the reading was concluded,
Mr.. Hendricks and Mr.. Johnson object
ed.
The Chair put the question on the re-
fused to receiv: it.
Mr.. Cameron presented the petition
of citizens of Pennsylvania for change
in the warehOusing system.
Mr.. Harlan introduced y bill exempt
ing property i'll the District of COlum-
bia, held for school purposes, from tax
alton.
Mr. Wiley presented bill tOprOvido
for the incorporation of religious socie
ties in the District Of Columbia. Refer
red.
On motion of Mr.. Edwards, the bill
regulating the presentation of bills to
the President OF the United States and
the return of the same, which was un-
der consideration yesterday, was taken
up.
Mr.. Davis opposed the bill, claiming
that the President had no right TO con-
strue the Constitution for himself,
At q quarter past one O'clock, while
Mr. Davis was speaking. Represent"
tiycs Stevens, of Pennsylvania, and
Bingham. of Ohio, appeared at the door.
A number of members % the House &C
companied them to witness the pro-
ceediugs on the subject they had in
charge.
This doOrkecper announced COM
mittee from the House Of Representa-
tives, who were recognized h. the pre-
81 ding officer.
Mr.. Stevens then said: il obedience
TO the order Of the House of RcprcSen-
tativcs, we appear before yOu. Ia the
name OF the House of representatives
and of all the people of the United
States, we do impeach Andrew John
son, President of tine United States. of
high crimes and misdrmeanOrs in office:
and we further inform the Senate that
the House of Representatives will, i'll
due time, exhibit articles against him
and make good the same, and iii their
namo we demand that the Senate take
order for the appearance OF Andrew
Johnson 10 answer said impeachment.
The presiding officer, Mr. Wade, re-
piled that the Senate would take action
in the premises.
Mr.. Howard desired To offer resOlu.
ton in connection withtle matter.
Mr.. Davis object ed aud wished to con-
tinue his remarks.
Mr.. Howard said the senator was out
of order, as this was privileged ques-
ton and of prior consideration.
Mr. Davis maintained that no question
could interpoSe for consideration while
he occupied the iloo", unless he choose
out of courtesy 10 give way.
Mr.. Howard said the subject of this
question was matter of great import
ancs aud demanded more immediate at
tentiun than the matter which the Sen
ator from Kentucky was discussing.
Mr.. Davis, rather cxcitedly, said he
was entitled to the liooran would hold
II and 10 gentleman had any claim to
address the Senate while he was speak
ing of the bill under discussion.
Mr. Edmuuds said lie admitted the
- Ia. ar N
the floor, but lie questioned the pro-
pricty and delcacy of his asserting his
right to it under the present circum-
stances.
Mr.. Davis said if the Senate decided
no was not entitled to the floor, OF
course he should give way, bat If 1t de-
cidcd otherwise he should exercise the
privilege of waving his claim or not,
rs he saw fit.
The chair put the question to the
Senate and it was decided that the Sen
ater had the right to the floor.
Mr.. Davis said rs the question was
now settled lie would give way to Mr.,
Howard. [Laughter.l While this dis
discussion was proceeding Mr.. Stevens
occupied a chair at theerd of the middle
aisle of the chamber, surrounded by Il
large number of representatives who
had come over from the house 10 wit
ness the scene. He spoke to no one and
fixed Il steady eye on Davis, vino was
claiming the floor. The audience in the
galleries manifested considerable inter
est when Davis gave way.
Mr.. Howard offered the following
resolution:
ReSolrCd, That the message from the
HoGSe of Representatives relating to the
Impeachment Of Andrew Johnson be re.
ferred to select committee Of seven, 10
consider and report on same.
Mr.. Bayard said the Senate had nc
constitutional jurisdiction to appoint q
select committee for this case, and con-
tended that it could only resolve itself
into high court of impeachment, the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court pre-,
siding. 1t had no right, he maintained
TO anticipate the trial of u case of i'm.
peachmeut by reporting the message OF
the House.
The resolution was pas by the chair
and carried, after which Mr.. Stevens
and the greater number OF those pres
ent Oh the floor took their departure.
geMr. Patterson On. H. next took the
floor OH reconstruction, and read long
address relating to the political situa-
ton at the South.
The Senate, on motion of Mr.. Trum-
bnlI. took mp the supplementary recon-
struction bill, allowinga majority OF
votes east To decide elections, and
registered voters to vote in part OF u
State.
After debate, Mr.. Buckalew's amend
ment requiring q residence OF ten days