Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-02-05
CONGRESSIONAL.
AN IMPORTANT BILL IN REGARD TO I'M
ACIIMENT

PEACuMENT.
Senator Edmunds, Jan. %, introduced a bill
regulating procedure in cases OF impeachment,
which was referred TO the committee on the ludicl-
ary. The bill provides that whenever the House
shall have agreed upon articles of impeachment 1t
shall appoint, in such manner as it may direct,
managers, not exceeding five in number, to con-
duct and maintain the impeachment; and upon the
Senate being informed by the House that articles
of impeachment against any person shall have been
agreed upon aud managers appointed, the Senate
shall, at u O'Clock noon OF the day (Sunday ex.
cepted) following such presentation, or sooner n
so ordered by the Senate, resolve itself into high
court of impeachment for proceeding thereon. A
quorum Of the Senate shall constitute quorum OF
the court and shall continue the session from day
10 day SUNDAYS excepted) until final Judgment
shall be rendered The Chief Justice shall pre-
side whenever the President or Vice President OF
the United States shall be on trial under articles
Of impeachment; but said Chief Justice shall have
no vote in the proceedings. The presiding officer
of said high court shall have power to make and
issue by HIMSELF or by the Secretary of the SEN
ate all ORDERS mandates, writs, and precepts au-
thorizcd by this act or by the said court, and to
make and enforce such other regulations and or
ders as the Senate may direct not inconsistent with
this act Power is also given for summoning and
compelling the attendance of witnesses, and the
presiding officer NAV, by the direction of said
or person loo the military, naval or civil service OF
the United States to enforce and carry into effect
the orders, declarations, mandates, procepts, and
judgments OF said court, and it shall be the duty
Of every such officer and person, upon such re-
quirement, forthwith to obey the same, and Of ev-
cry such person officer, in the military or naval
service Of the United States, upon such require
ment, forthwith 10 employ the troops and forces IN
his command to enforce, execute, and carry into
effect, the aforesaid order, declarations mandates
precepts and judgments of said high court Of i'm
parchment. Any dsobedience TO orders, precepts
&c, on the part Of persons above referred to is
made punishable by fine and imprisonment.
Provision is also made in case of the impeach-
ment OF the President or Vice President Of the
United States for suspending said officers from the
exercise of their official functions pending trial
upon the order of two-thirds of the members Of
said High Court aud the officers so suspended
by order of said court shall be deemed and taken
TO be to all intcnts and purposes in state of ina
blity TO discharge the powers and duties of the
respective Offices during the continuance Of any
such order of suspension, and no person in th,
service of the Government shall recognize or ODE,
any official act of the officer suspended unit
such suspension shall be removed &c.
During the continuance OF such suspension th,
powers and duties Of the officer suspended shall
dcvolve upon the person authorized or designate,
by law TO discharge or exercise the same in case o
removal, resignation, death, or disability to dis
charge the duties thereof Washington Chroni
Gle.