Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-02-07
Congress-.
ARRANGEMENT OF A SUPREME COURT
JUDGE.

the House of Representatives on Thurs
day of last week
Mr.. Scofeld of Penn, rising TO ques-
ton of privilege, offered resolution re-
citing that the Washington Evening Ex-
press of yesterday contained the state
ment that at private gathering of gen
tlemen of both political parties, one OF
the judges of the Supreme Court spoke
very freely of the reconstruction meas
ures Of Congress, and declared in the
most positive terms that all these laws
were unconstitutional and that the court
would be sure to pronounce them so
that some of his friends near him sug-
gested that it was exceedingly intiscreet
to speak so positively, when he at once
repeated his views in more emphatic
manner; also reciting that several causes
under such reconstruction measures were
now pending in the Supreme Court, and
directed the judiciary committee to in
quire into the truth of the declarations
contained in the newspaper article, and
report whether the facts constitute such
misdeamnor in office as requires this
House to present TO the Senate articles of
impeachment against such justice of the
Supreme Court, with power to examine
witnesses, and to report at any time.
The Speaker asked whether there was
any objection to the introduction of the
resolution.
Mr.. Pruyn of New York rose, and
asked whether the gentleman from Penn
sylvania [Mr. Scofeld] assumed the re-
sponsibility of stating the facts recited
to be true.
Mr.. Scofield said that of course he did
not, but he hoped to find out the truth or
falsity of the allegation.
The Speaker announced, after pause,
that the resolution was before the House.
Mr.. johnson of Cal, said he had ris-
en- to object, but he was willing to let
the resolution be offered if it designated
the judge it referred to.
Mr. Scoffeld remarked in reply to Mr..
Piuyn's question that he had no ground
for the resolution except what he had
gathered from the article recited. He
believed however that some statement
had appeared in Baltimore paper this
morning in which the same Judge was
mentioned. He had taken it for granted
that all gentlemen on the other side
would like to see justice of the Su-
preme Court vindicated from the asper- |
slons of newspapers. He was very GER
tain that the gentleman from California.
( Mr. Johnson) would, on reflection, cease
to make objection. He had heard such
rumors afioat as to judges coming down
from the bench and going sometimes to
places that were thought beneath them,
md retailing in advance what hey in
ended 20 do, but he had never believed
1
{. Now, however, he saw a statement
respectable newspaper, and was quite
ure that the gentleman on the other side
would, ON reflection, concur with him in
ne belief that the proposed inquiry
hould be made.
Mr.. Pruyn thought that before SO seri-
JUS charge was made against Judge
# the supreme Court, or rather against
IL the judges. as none was named in the
esolution, the gentleman making it
hould satisfy himself from proper inqui-
y that there was good ground for offer
ng the resolution.
Mr.. Scofield suggested that the gentle
nan from New York, should have conf
ence in the authority referred to, as it
'as newspaper which supported the
Jews Of the democratic side of the
House.
MIR. Pruyn declared that he had never I
card OF the matter before, knew moth {
lg of the authority for it, and objected t
1t further, because the resolution threw 8
n aspersion upon the whole court. /
MIR. Scofeld, so far from casting an as :
crsion ON the Supreme Court or any
lember of it, hoped to vindicate all the /
ldges he had still some hope that there o
as one department which might differ h
from Congress and still not be
nilty on the charge preferred in the s
ewspaper referred to, and which was a
opposed to be in political sympathy f
18th the court. .
Mr.. Pruyin-"Some hope" the gem 7
eman says. ?7ea !,
MIR. Scofeld-Yes sir, | have some
ope
Mr.. Pruyn-Does tlie gentleman mean tt
say that he expects that the report of a
e committee will show that the state g
ent is not true Z? a
Mr.. Scofield said he hoped to vindi- p
tie the character of the court if the Al
large was true it was bad enough. :"
After some further discussion as to the tn
thenticity of the charge, Mr.. Blaine of i
anne remarked that like paragraph ey
Is published this morning in the Balti- al