Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-02-29
w 4 HIN G TO v.
WAsIIISGToS, Feb. 90.


REPORT OF THE RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
IMPEACHMENT OF THE PRESIDENT.
Mr. Stevens Rep.( OF Pennsylvania, at
ten minutes past two rose to make u report
from the Committee on Reconstruction.
The Speaker gave an admonition to spec
tators in the gallery and to mem bers on the
floor to preserve order during the proceed
ings about to take place, and to manifest
neither appreciation or disapprobation.
Mr.. Stevens then said: From the Commit
tee on Reconstruction | beg leave to make
the following report:
That in addition to the papers referred TO,
the committee find that the President, on
the 2lst day of February, 1865, signed and
ordered commission or letter of authority
to one Lorenzo Thomas, directing and au,
thorizing said Thomas to act us Secretary of
War, al interim, and to take possession of
the books, records, papers and other public
property in the War Department, Of which
the following is a copy:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAsHINGToN, d. c.,
Feb. 81, 1868 Sm-The Hon. Edwin ~
Stanton having been removed from office as
Secretary of the Department of War, YOU
are hereby authorized and empowered to act
as Secretary of War al interim, andswil!
Immediately enter upon the discharge of the
duties pertaining to that office. Mr.. Stanton
has been instructed to transfer to you all
records, books, papers and other public
property entrusted to his charge.
Respectfully yours,
ANDREW JomNsoN.
To Brevet Major General LORENZO TuoM-
As, Adjutant General United States Army.
Official opy.-ltespectiully furnished to
Hon. Edwin NJ. Stanton.
L. THOMAS,
Secretary of War ad interim.
Upon the evidence collected by the COM
mittee, which is hereafter presented, and in
virtue of the powers with which they have
been invested by the House, they are of the
opinion that Andrew Johnson, President of
! the United States, should be impeached of
high crimes and misdemeanors. They there
fore recommend to the House the adoption
| OF the accompanying resolution.
THADDEus STEVENS, G. T. HULBuRD,
GEO. 5. BOUTWELL,, JNo. +. FARNswoRTH,
JOHN A. BINGHAM, II. e. PAINE,
T.. Z. BEAMAN.
| ResOleed, That Andrew johnson. President
OF the United States, be impeached of high
crimes and misdemeanors.
The report having been read, Mr.. Stevens
said Mr. Speaker, it is not my intention in
the first instance to discuss the question, and
If there he no desire on the other side to
discuss it we are willing that the question
shall be taken on the knowledge which the
House already has. Indeed, the fact of
removing man from Office while the SEN
ate is in session without the consent of the
Senate, is itself and always has been consid.
cred high crime and misdemeanor, and
was never before pIactised. But / will not
discuss this question unless gentlemen on
the other side desire TO discuss it. II they
do, shall for the present give way to them,
and say what have to say myself in con-
clusion.
The report Of this committee was discuss
ed until eleven O'Clock on Saturday night,
when 1t was mutually agreed upon that
vote on the Impeachment should be taken
at five O'Clock this (AIonday) afternoon.
Judging from the debate, it is generally
conceded that the Republicans are united,
and will vote in solid phalanx for presenting
articles of impeachment to the Senate. If
such articles Of impeachment are presented
to the Senate, the third article of the Con.
stitution of the United States prescribes the
following mode of trial, viz:
"6. The Senate shall have the sole power
to try all impeachments When sitting for
that purpose, they shall be on oath or affir-
nation. When the President of the United
States is tried, the Chief Justice shall pro-
side. Aud no person shall be convicted
without the concurrcnce OF two thirds of
the membsra present.