The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-04-23
LATEST BIZ TELEGRAPH
MIDNIGHT REPORT.
WAsarxeros, April %.


WAsHrxsros, April %.
HogsE.
No business of any kind done to day. The
House, while in Committee Of the Whole,
was in attendance on the impeachment trial.
Court opened at II o'clock.
The Chief Justice stated the FIRST business
to be IN order offered BY Mr.. Sumaer allos.
inp the managers for the House and the coun.
sci for the President to have leave to 6le
written or printed arguments before the oral
arguments commence.
Mr. yiekers offered An amendment pro-
posing to allow such of the managers Is are
not authorized to speak, TO file written or
printed arguments, or make oral address
and the counsel tor the Presidentto alternate
with them.
Mr.. Curtis stated that Mr.. Stanberys in
disposition was snch that it would be imprac-
ticable for him to take any further part in the
proceedings.
The substitute was sgreed to by vote Of 20
to 20.
The order d amended was then lost by q
to 26
Mr.. Stevens inquired if there was any i'm.
proprie,y in the managers publishing short
arguments?
II was finally agreed on that ss many man
seers md counsel for the President - desire
be allowed to fle written arguments or ad-
dress the Senate orally, provided the fnsi
argument be made by one person only.
Mr.. Boutwell, commenced his speech at
1850.
Mr.. President and Senators. may
nov anticipate . speedy conclusion Of your
arduous labors. The importance Of this oc.
casiou il due to the unexampled cireum-
stance that.this trial is that of the Chief
Magistrate Of the principal Republic OF ihe
world, and it, solemnity 10 due to the circnm-
stance that the trial is new test Of the Na-
tional virtue and strength OF popular governs
ment. The President assumes for himself
an ID his successors absolute control over
vast and Increasing patronage in the Gov
eminent. This claim, if sanctioned, strips
the Senate Of al practical power over re-
movals, and leaves the revenues and expen-
ditures OF the Government in the hands OF
the President alone. No accountability re-
security for fidelity in the army and navy; no
security for the collection of revenues By
the Constitution the people vested disere-
iionary power. limited, il is true. in the Con-
press &c the United States, while they have
denied to the Executive and judicial depart
ments all discretionary or implied power.
The Executive pover, tnat which is conferred
npon the President by the Constitution. is
limited by the terms Of the Constitution.
and must be exercised in the manner
which 10 prescribed by the Constitution.
he Presidents powers being specified, and
as be takes nothing by implication, there was
no occasion 10 recite or enumerste the pow
ers not delegated to him. He can exercise
those powers only which are specially con-
ferred. and can take nothing by construction,
implication, or what Is termed The necessity
OF the case. The Executive must lake the
Law and administer il as he fnds it, without
enau,ring as to the wisdom OF the legislation.
II is not within bis province to consider
whether law is Ooastita'ionsi. Wien q
statute is annulled by competent tribunals, It
ceases 10 ne Law. Until then II mnss be ex-
ecuted. If the Senate ma 10 this trial, en-
ouire whether law IL Constitutional, then
the Presiden, is tried for his judgment, snd
may be acquitted if the Senate thinks that
his Judgment was correct, or be convicted, If,
in the opiaion Of the Senats, his judgment was
errenepas. II is npt the right OF any Seaa,or
10 be governed by any opinion he may enter
tain Of the constitutionalisy or exped'eucy Of
the laws. The President cannot plead bis
motives. He has no right 10 entertain any
motive contrary to his constitutional obiga-
tions to execute the laws, otherwise the exc
cution OF ell laws are dependent upon
his opinion Of their consultation klity
The assertion that the President de-
sired 10 les, The matter in court
was Or, text Up to this time no real steps
have been taken by him in that direction.
He never designed to test his rights in the
conr.s His object was TO seize the oihees Of
tae goyer merit for purposes Of Corruption,
aad by their influence to enable hin - re-
conarnct she Union 10 the interest Of the re-
beilioas Sts.es. He resorted to this usurpa-
ion as a necessary means OF usurping all
power and restoring the government to reeei
hands.
The provisions of the Constitution relating
to appointments we're then considered, sna
authorities given to show tbat no removal or
appointments can be made BY the President,
except in concurrence with the Senate. Pre-
yious TO the passage Of The Tenure of-offiee
Act he had removed hundreds of public Of
fcers to the detriment Of the public service,
and appointed others, who in the internal
revenue service alone has caused losses 10
the government of not less thar $2o ,ooo, cot
year for twp years
The passage of the Tenure>of- Office bin
has proved Intellectual As complete remedy.
and now the President asserts his right TO vi
olste it altogether. and BY bis Interpretation
Of the Constitution, assumes absolute and
unqualified power over oil the Offices of the
country, and the removal of Mr. Stanton is
the particular crime OF the President for
vh,ch his conviction is demanded. BY his
conviction the Government viii be purified
and restored by his aequittal the Govern.
ment will be surrendered into the hands of q
usurping, unscrupuIous man. The President
is man of strong will. violent passions, aud
unlimited ambition, with capacity to employ
and use timid, adhesive men, snbservien!
men and corrupt men as instruments OF bis
designs 1t is the truth Of history that he has
injured every person with whom he has had
! confidential relations. He attempts to destroy
all who will not become his Instruments, and
all who become his instruments are destroyed
in the use. He spares no nne.
The Presidents counsel. said Mr. Bout
/, we'll, Who opened the case, il involved IN diff
Rculty about Articles 4, 5, 8 and I, known q,
the Conspiracy Articles. and bis remarks i'm
| ply that Articles and were not based upon
any lav.s il 10 not alleged in ths Articles
| that this conspiracy Is against any partiesla,
law, but ii is alleged that the parties did un.
lawfully conspire. The President was en-.
gsged in an unlawful act to get out Mr.. Stan'
| ton, and be induced Genera Thomas 10 90
| operate with him. Generrl Thomas igno-
rance Of the illegal nature Of the transaction
/ furnishes, 20 legal defence for him, though
| morally IL might be IN excuse for his conduct
| But the President, who knew this TO bs an il
| legal act, cannot excuse himself by asserting
| that his coAeonspiralor vas at the time igno
! raut of the illegal nature of the busines!
/ in which they were both thus en-
gaged. Ths various acts Of suspendini
Stanton, appointing Grant, rendering ths
place TO herman, the promotion OF the lat
ter. and also Gen. Geo. Thomas, are rectet
to show that these we're merely deIusions Il
prepars wsy for the introduction into ths
!; War Office OF one of his own creatures. AZ u
the spseches of The Prssident fhat evidenci
| was put ID simply to show that : man who coult
| utter such words is unfit for tho Office b.
| holds, and i designed impair sae jasssuthos
ity Of Congress.
Mr. Boutwell, then took up the eleventh
Article and passed in rssisw the action o
ths President on the Reconstruction laws
which he claimed vas devoted TO preventinl
auy reconssruction Of tAs Usina upon any
other plan thAn thas which BE had isaneurassl
His criminal ambition, Vas TO obtain com,
mssd Of the War Deparmept and Of til
armies, md ~ their combined power 70 eca.
troi the elections Of 1858, in the ten States no
| yet restored 10 the Union, while With ths
! ksS& L l. "a. n.