The New York herald., 1868-05-17

OF Andrew johnson from the oce of President
sSSsSS xSSSD$FRsoS osHrs " sCc5vso
JOSEPH L. GRAvELY.
That an indecent and corrupt combination of the
Representatives aforesaid has been entered into to
influence the Senator Aforesaid in his Judgment and
decision In the impeachment now pending and unde-
termined IN the Senate therefore be IL
Resolved, that select committee OF seven be ap-
pointed to investigate the matter of the writing OF
in writing said letter; whether the same was written
to corrupt or improperly influence the judgment and
decision OF said senator and what action the House
ought TO take with reference thereto; and that said
committee be authorized to send for persons and
papers.
that was question OF privilege.
The SPEAKER replied that the gentleman from
Wisconsin had so presented 1t.
After examining the paper the CHAIR said the gen.
teman did not directly charge corrupt purposes but
made OF the words; therefore, in the opinion of
the Chair as the latter did not embody any corrupt
Offer It was not question Of privilege; buthe would
House itself.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE said that he was desirous that the
Missouri members should be either exculpated or
convicted, as the facts might warrant.
move that the paper be not received
TIE SPEAKER replied that 1t was not yet before the
House.
vOte-yeas 2S, nays S2-decided that the paper did
not present q question of privilege.
Mr.. BENJAMIN, Gep.) of Mo-, asked leave to make
personal explanation not exceeding five minutes.
Mr.. ELDRlDGE objected
Mr.. WARD, trep) of n. Y, asked leave to introduce
resolution to recall from the Senate the House joint
resolutions proposing recess OF Congress.
The SPEAKER said that the time had expired within
which that could be done.
Mr.. ROBINSON, tdem.) Of n Y, gave notice that at
the next assembling after the recess he would renew
his resolution heretofore offered directing the Mama
gers to withdraw their articles OF impeachment.
The SPEAKER said that he would rule when that
question should be brought before the House.
from the Galena district, moved that his colleague
have leave OF absence to travel In Europe and have
his expenses paid, as during last summer.
The SPEAKER said that leave of absence could be
granted on the request only OF the gentleman desir-
ing Mr it. w.suanxr reminded his cosaous mr. Ross,
that he would attend to his own personal matters.
He would not call on any knight of the Golden Circle
Mr.. Ross hoped that his colleague would take no
offence He had made the request In consideration
OF the onerous duties which devolved on his col
league.
Various private bills were adopted and acted upon.
Mr.. BENJAMIN said that the resolution of Mr.. Ell
bridge not having been received q question of
privilege, an impression might go abroad that this
disposition of the resolution was at the instance Of
had been read at the Clerks desk. He was not sat
isfed that such an impression should be made for
himself and he believed he also spoke for his col
all the facts in relation to the matter mentioned and
they asked that special committee Of the House
other facts within his knowledge and others
which would enter largely into the privileges
interpose any obstacles but render every aid in their
power which the House or the committee might re-
quire. They desired that there should be full In
vestgatiOn and that all the facts should go to the
country They knew they had nothing to fear; they
had neither done nor said anything dshOnorabe or
which would not bear the light Of day before the
Mr.. ELDRIDGE desired to know whether the gentle
man thought 1t was right for the whole Missouri dele
CATION to call on one OF the Senator's from that State
who was then considering case judically, and ask
MIN to withhold his vote on one of the articles of
Mr.. BENJAMIN said, that in view of the clrcum-
stances preceding the writing of the letter, he would
Mi. ELDRIDGE further asked whether on the prin
ciples of Justice and right 1t was proper to interfere
with the Deliberations of the court when the question
Mr.. BENJAMIN left that for the committee to Judge,
and the House can then assent or dissent to what
Mr.. HiGBY rep.) OF CAL, asked the gentleman the
question whether they did not think they were right
II they supposed there was to be corrupt proceed
M Mr.. CHAMBER, (dem.j Of n. Y. demanded that the
words of the gentleman from California be taken
The SPEAKER-wfth reference to the objection
thus made, these words did not within the par.
liamentary law for the reason that the Senate forms
part of Congress 1t was the Senate although pre-
sided over by the Chief Justice. The rules prohibited
offensive remarks toward the proceeding OF either
branch. Although the question of the gentleman
from California was hypothetic, the Chair thought it
presumption OF the gentleman was that the Senate
could make a corrupt decision.
Mr.. hIGBY said he did not charge anything of that
kind.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE observed the gentleman from Mis-
souri, (Mr. Benjamin) had made no such charge him.
self.
Mr.. CHANLER demanded that the rules Of the House
be fully carried out.
Mr.. BENJAMIN, resuming, said that the Missouri
delegation had no idea in the world nor did they
throw out any suspicion whatever that the Senator
(Mr. Henderson, would act corruptly that any in
fuence beyond what was evidence disclosed would
exDCitlV
tived sucn an inference They charged nothing cor
rupt. 1t stated the floor that the Senator re-
quested the presentation OF such a letter to him.
ACTION OF THE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS.
Mr. BINGHAM said he was instructed by the I'm
peachment Managers to report the following resolu-
ton and ask that 1t be put on its passage:-
wherea. Information has come to the Managers, which
proper or corrupt influences have been used
against the President States therefore
on ass sssns Ss
ana s,rncea @ @ 20 summon and examine witnesses
nosrapher and . appoint subeommiitees 70 take testimony
the House. p'' "e contingent i"na OF
Mr. Ross rose to a question of order and stated IL
TO be that the House had no power to try Senator'S
The SPEAKER replied that the resolution did not
propose TO try Senators.
Mr. BINGHAM said the resolution proposed no such
thing
Mr.. ROBINSON MADE a point of order that the
Managers appointed by the House to conduct the
fore, had nothing further to do, the Judgment in
part having been rendered they could not be further
heard any more than counsel could after case had
been submitted to the court.
The SPEAKER overruled the point of order on the
ground that the duty Of Managers had been fully
discharged and as the House reserved to itself the
right to present any further articles OF impeach-
ment.
Mr.. CHANLER raised the question that the pro-
position OF the gentleman from Ohio charged corrupt
motives, and could not therefore, be entertained.
Mr.. ROBINSON took on appeal.
The SPEAKER said the appeal was too late after
another point had been made.
Mr.. ELDRTDGB said the point was, the resolution
was reflection upon the Senate, and it was not
therefore, proper to be entertained by the House.
The SPEAKER said the resolution was omen to the
same objection as that Of the gentleman from wis.
c0nsin (Mf. Eldrdgel There was no direct charge
OF corruption. The language was that the inf0rma-
nish probable cause. The uniform ruling had been
that vague charges could not be construed as aues-
tions Of privilege, but specific charges could be-
The Managers apart from this, had right to report