Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-18
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the House, Saturday, after prayer,
the members proceeded to the Senate
Chamber, upon the return from which,
Mr.. Washburn, as chairman of the Com.
mittee of the Whole, reported the pro-
gress Of the impeachment
Mr.. Eldridge, as a question OF prlvi-
lege, offered preamble, reciting the let
ter of seven members of the House to
Senator Henderson, stating that an in
decent and corrupt combination of the
Representatives, he is afraid, have en-
tered into the influence of the Senator
aforesaid, in his Judgment and decision
in the impeachment now pending, and
undermined the Senate; therefore,
RESOLVED, That select committee OF
seven be appointed to investigate the
matter, the writing of said letter, the
motive of said members in writing said
letter. and whether the same was written
to corrupt or Improperly influence the
Judgment and decision of said Senator,
and what action ought to be taken by
the House with reference thereto, and
that said committee be authorized to
send for persons and papers.
Maynard inquired whether it was a
question of privilege.
The Speaker replied that the gentle
man from Wisconsin had so presented it.
After examining the papers he said be
did not directly charge corrupt purposes,
but made remarks about the letter.
Therefore, in the opinion OF the Chair,
as the letter did not embody as corrupt
an offer, it was not question Of privi-
lege, but he would submit the question to
the determination of the House.
Eldridge said that he was DESTROYS that
the Missouri members should be either
exculpated or convicted, as the facts
might warrant
Blaine inquired whether it was in order
to move that the paper be not received.
The Speaker replied that it was not
vet before the House.
After further proceedings, the House,
by party vote-yeas 70, nays 82-de-
cided that the paper did not present the
question Of privilege.
Mr.. Benjamin, of Maryland, asked
leave to make personal explanation,
not exceeding FIVE minutes.
Mr.. Eldridge objected.
Mr.. Ward asked leave to introduce
resolution to recall from the Senate the
House joint resolution proposing recess
of Congress.
The Speaker said the time had ex-
pired when this could be done.
Mr.. Robinson gave notice that at the
next assembling after recess he would
renew his resolution, heretofore offered,
directing the Managers to withdraw their
articles of impeachment
The Speaker said he would rule upon
that question when it should be brought
before the House
Mr.. Bingham, from the Impeachment
COMMITTEES, reported preamble that In
formation has come to them which seems
to furnish them probable cause to believe
improper and corrupt means have been
used to influence the determination of
the Senate on the articles OF impeach-
ment; therefore be II
Resolred, That the managers be d.
reeted an. Instructed to summon and ex-
anime, and send for persons and papers,
and take testimony on the subject
Mr.. Ross made question Of order, that
the House had no right to try Senators.
The Speaker ruled that the resolution
did not propose to try Senators,
Mr.. Robinson made point that the
Managers had discharged their duty, and
therefore had nothing further to do.
The Speaker overruled the point, on
the ground that the duty Of The Managers
has not been fully discharged, as the
House reserved to itself the right TO pre-
sent any further articles OF impeaeb-
ment.
Other objections were made, when the
Speaker ruled that the resolution was
open 70 the same. objection as that
offered by Mr.. Eldridge, aud that there
was no direct charge Of corruption.
Vague charges could not be construed as
question Of privilege, but specific
charges could. The question whether
the resolution could be considered was
for the House 10 decide.
The House, by yeas -, nays 26,
agreed 10 consider the resolution.
Mr. Bingham proceeded 10 state the
reasons for the resolution, considerable
debate following The House re-
fused TO table the resolution, which, IN
Der The operation Of the previous CUES.
too, was finally adopted. Yeas, Sc
nays, IL
Adjourned.