Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-04-10
8eotoro enquirer,
THE NEWS.

I
haustiVe review Of the law on the articles of
/ impeachment aud President johnson S
mal-administraton of the Government He
| considered each Of the articles of impeach-
ment proposed by the House at great length,
| showing what proof is to be brought to sus-
tain the statements Of fact, and fortifying
! with authorities those points which turn
! upon questions of law or of the Constitution
| He defended Mr. Wade right to sit on the
! trial, stating at the same time that if chaI-
! lenges were resorted to, that Mr. Reverdy
johnson might be objected to, on account of
q letter he had very recently written to a
| Democratic meeting in Baltimore, pledging
| his support to the President. Mr. Butler
commended the course of Secretary Stanton,
and said that 1t being conceded that the ap-
! poIntment Of Thomas was IN direct violation
| OF the Ienure-of Office act what was to
| prevent Andrew johnson from being de-
| clared guilty of high crimes and misdemean
ors? The Managers claim that any question
of the constitutionality of the Tenure-of
| Office law Is totally irrelevant during the
| course ofthis trial. JohnSon's right to Judge
| Of the constltudonality ofany law ceases the
moment his objections to it are sent to
| Congress, considered, and the bill passed
over his veto. Then he is as rigidly bound
| by it as any one. 1t may be said that he
/ can resist 1t at his peril. So he can, and
the peril Is impeachmet. In reference to
any decision of the Supreme Court, that
Court has never but on three occasions given
decisions in regard to acts Of Congress
affecting the general welfare, impugning
their constitutionality He asked Senators
would they allow any question of the con-
stltuuonalIty OF this law to enter into the
trial of an Executive officer who wilfully
violated it in advance Of any decision by any
court? It may be contended that he sus-
pended Alr. Stanton to test the constitu-
tionaity of this law, but the Managers would
show that this Is a subterfuge. For one year
he made no attempt TO test that law He
boldly announced to the General of the
Army his purpose to violate it, and be at
tempted to seduce the commander of the
Department of Washington from his allegi-
ance to the laws The attempts of the
President to bribe Generals Sherman and
Thomas, for the purpose Of getting Grant
out OF the way, were adyerted to, aud the
acts of Sherman and Thomas approved.
Concluding his address. Mr.. Butler said
The responsibility Is now with you (the
Senatel. The House Of Representatives
has brought the criminal to your bar. If
Andrew johnson goes free, never again can
the representatives of people attempt to
stay the usurpations Of a ruler On the
conclusion Of Mr.. Butler argument, Mr.
Wilson filed a mess of documentary evidence
substanGating the charges against the
President, which read to the senate.
The Hon. Ihaddeus Stevens has written
letter in which he heartily endorses Gener-
al Grant for the Presidency Hisehoice for
Vice President is Senator Wade. Grant,
he says, Is honest, firm and well indOctTina-
ted in principle, without ostentation and
without pride do not see how better
selection can be made His Judgment Of
men is so sound that | have full faith that
he will call around him the ablest and pur
est men Of the nation Mr.. Stevens uses
language utsly equally as strong in Seterring to
On Tuesday the trial was resumed.-A
mass of documentary evidence was filed by
the Managers, when several witnesses were
examined by MIR. Butler, on the part of the
prosecution, and cross-examined by Mr.
Stanbery, of the Presidents counsel. All
went on harmoniously until Hon. w alter A.
Burleigh, delegate from Dacotah; was plac-
ed upon the stand, and, in answer to an in
quiry, General Butler was proceeding to
state what the prosecution expected to
prove by the witness, when Mr. Stanbery
raised an objection The presiding officer
was proceeding to decide upon the objection
when Senator Drake (in order to test the
natter raised the question that such deci-
sions should be made by the Senate, and
I not by the presiding officer Chief Justice
/ Chase stated his position TO be that it was
the duty of the Chief Justice todecide ques-
tiOns Of evidence In the first instance, and
that an appeal should be decided by the
Senate. Messrs. Bingham, Butler and
Boutwell, for the Managers on the part of
the House, all dissented from the position
assumed by the presiding officer, claiming
that under the Constitution he was in the
present case but a ministerial othcer-to
preside, preserve order, etc On the con-
clusion of the discussion Senator Wilson
moved that the Senators retire for consider
alton OF the question, and the vote being
! taken resulted in ties to 25-and the
| Chlet Justice giving his casting vote IN the
affirmative, the motion was carried. This
is the first instance during the trial where
| the presiding officer has voted After an
absence Of three hours, the Senate returned,
and the Chief Justice reported that it had
/ been agreed to allow him TO rule all ques-
/ tions Of evidence and incidental questions,
| which ruling shall stand as the judgment Of
I the Senate, unless some member Of the Sen
/ ate shall ask that formal vote be taken
/ thereon, IN which case 1t shall be submitted
to the Senate for decision, or he may at
his option in the first instance submit any
such question to vote Of the members of
the Senate. The Senate by this action
reserves to itself the right at all times to
overrule, the presiding officers decisions.
On the announcement of the result Of the
deliberations Of the Senate the Managers
for the House stated that they desired time
for consultation, and the Senate adjourned
until noon on Wednesday
In the House Of Representatives on Tues
day, the report Of the conference committee
/ upon the bill to exempt certain manufac-
lures from internal tax was agreed to, the
bill passed and was sent to the President A
resolution recitng that great expense was
involved in the collection of the taxes for
internal revenue purposes, and directing the
Committee on Ways and Means to inquire
into the expediency of reducing the tax
gathering force and so adjusting The inter
nal revenue laws as to require the smallest
possible force for the conduct of the busi-
ness, was adopted A resolution was also
adopted directing the Committee on Ways
and Means to inquire into the expedieney
Of so amending the revenue laws as TO per
NIT the transfer or assignment Of special Ii
cense receipts, so that successors to a bust
ness may have authority to continue the