Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-05-06
Impeachment Proceedings.
WAsnINaroN. May I.

apology for having 50 long occupied the tillle
I, and attention of the Senate, and said he would
claim their indulgence but little while lon-
ger.
Referring to the action of Mr. Lincoln IN
appointing am m interim successor to Mr..
Blair. Postmaster General, he said that the
appointment was made under authority only
p implied of the acts of 1902 aud 1913. lie
asked why that conduct was not considered
am impeachablc ollrnsc lie then maintained
that II made no difference either in the theory
or practice Of the government whether the
Temporary appointments were made during
session or recess of the Senate, and in
stanced the four examples of Nelson ia ls4l,
Scott in 1850 and Kelley and Holt in 1861 as
ample warrant for his assertion Passing to
the first article, he said he should consider at
the outset Che nature of the positions occupied
by the members Of the cabinet
He theu read the address to Lincoln, sign-
ed by thirty Republican Senators, which
was written in 1862, to urge his removal of
Mr. Blair 80 as to secure harmonious action.
The opinions therein expressed by fifteen OF
the Senators now present, on the subject of
cabinet relations, he (Eyaris) fully endorsed
He further quoted from the speeches of Mr.
r sherman and others in the debate on the ten
ura of Office bill aud in explanation of the re-
port of the committee ou conference various
expressions, which mcontadicted opinions
and explanations he claimed we're accepted
as the proper Interpretation OF the bill 80 act
ed upon by the President Tie held that 10
would be monstrous TO convict the President
of crime hy the same voices which gave utter
ance to or concured in these authoritative
declaration. that the bill did not reach or al
+ feet the relations of Mr. Stanton and the
President
The argument OF Mr. Boutwell, that the
practice had always been TO send 900 the names
VI the appointed before making the removal
ho met by the consideration that removals
are generally made mot because the inemn-
bents are unfit, bat because political iavontcs
are to Zoe put in. The Instances oi removal
of cabinet officers are only two for the Am-
pie reason that polite hint is usually suih-
Client to induce designations. lie referred TO
the instances of removal of various officers
/ during the session of thc Senate which have
been put in evidence, and went ON 20 argue
the necessity for the existence OF such power
n instant removal. by several suggestions
i'm eases where delay would lead 10 disastrous
. consequences.
He characterized the assertion of Mr..
Boutwell,, that it made no difference whether
the law was broken is constitutional or mot,
as desperate attempt to escape from the
argument of counsel for the President
which he would not now repeat. He also
quoted the admission Of Mr. Boutwell,, that
the President would have been justified it he
acted with honest intent ia violation of law
, which wa, ambiguou. or equiyocal aud caim-
cd IL was all they need after showing rs they
, had done. that the act was fifty characterized
by those very terms Taking mp the question
of character of the offence of violating the
tenure of office law, be said there vo. punish