The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-04-25
SAN FRANCISCO CORRESPONDENCE.
PER .sD. C. MURRAY
SAN FRANCISCO, April 4, 1863
Political.

ID IMPEACHMENT OF AnlreW johnson mas createl
intense excitement, calling forth voluminOus newspa-
per comment, and is decidedly one of the most nota-
bic events that ever occurred in this country. The
Tenure-ofOfice Bill, duly enacted by Congress, hsv-
ing passed over the Presidents veto by a two-thirds
vote, and, incidentally, just as much Il law as if il
had been originally signed by him, provides that no
officer appointed with the approval of the Senate, shall
be renored without its sanction. BY appointing Gen.
Thomas Secretary Of War, the President boldly de
fed this law, and pleads as an excuse, that, in his
opinion, the law is OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES u
power delegated TO the Supreme Court alone, and in
timating his intention to respect and obey only the
laws which are agreeable TO him, ignoring all others
upon the ground Of "unconstitutionality, instead
of submitting to them until they are fairly tested, and
judgments rendered by the Supreme Court. Appar-
emily, the President would deprive Congress of the
power of enacting laws, causing an unavoidable
chaos, for, under the circumstances, by whom could
laws be established TO meet emergencies? Surely not
the Supreme Court, certainly not the Executive.
The Presidents conduct revived the question of
Impeachment. On the 9th February, after a long
and powerful debate, in which several Republican
members, led by the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, cover
ed themselves with fame, evineing marked ability
and genuine elOquence, creiitsble alike to the Coun-
try and to themselves. the House adopted a resolution
to ~impeach, by n strict party vote of 126 ayes to AZ
noes, and committees were appointed to institute the
necessary proceedings Subsequently two Republican
members, absent at the time of voting, registered
themselves in favor of impeachment. During the de-
bate of Feb. %, upon this matter, Judge Spaulling,
although considered the most conservative Republican
in the House, msde a fine speech in favor of impeach-
ment. On the 9th day of March, the President was
s~rraigned before the Senate for trial, Chief Justice
Chase presiding. the Senator's acting as Jurors, the
prosecution conducted by a Committee from the house,
of which Judge Bingham, of Ohio, is chief-manager.
The President is defended by Henry S;anbery, late
Attorney-General and able associates. The trial was
opened ON the 18th of March, by II mastery speech
by Ben. Butler-evidencc was then introduced by the
prosecution. \ slight difference subsequently occur
red between the Chief Justice and the Senate, which
has been satisfactorily settled. The trial will doubt
less last some weeks.
The Senate-loWC Composed.
The Senate consists of ~ffty-four members, of which
~fOrty-two are Republicans, and twelve Democrats, or
opposition. This body will pass upon the guilt or
innocence of the President, n two-thirds vote being
required by the Constitution for conviction-there-
fore, ~thirty-six members must vote in favor of il. The
Democratic Senators have always opposed any meas
ures tending towards impeachment until lately,
sustaining the President, but recently eyincing less
interest in his welfare-still it is presumed that during
the trial all partisan feeling will be waived, and the
defendant will be judged upon the facts as presented,
and in accordance. with the solemn oath administered
to every Senator-in which case, speculation as to
the result is useless. Impartiality will doubtless be
evinced by Union Members, assertions by opponents
to the contrary notwithstanding. for were the Repub-
licans actuated ty partisan motives alone, impeach-
ment would have been accomplished when first pro-
posed some months ago, by virtue of the Republican
majority-but it was then defeated in the House by
Republican as wall as Democratic votes. Since An
drew JOhnson's late unlawful attitude in disregarding
the Tenure-of-Ohise Bill, the Union Members of both
houses have acted in perfect harmony, voting as u
unit Oh all test Questions. Representatives Of u loyal
and united people, embracing in their number, men
whose eminent and prolonged services to the country
will ever be gratefully recollected, who can doubt
that their verdict will be received with every possible
favor by their constituents, whether resulting in
impeachment or not.
The "(eatral z. r." and HOmesteads.
An unusual activity in the Real Estate business in
San Francisco is noticeable, n very rapid increase in
the value of property, surprising even the most san
guine, being the remarkable feature. Within a few
months, numerous :. Homestead associations have
been formed, by which large tracts have been divided
into house-lots- each subscriber paying a small in
stallnent every month, until the expiration of a..given
time, when the distribution takes place, to every
share n lot being awarded, the more desirable local
tons commanding premium, which is divided among
the stockholders, frequently "A large sum being thus
procured. Not only, in some of these corporations,
have the shares been Immediately take, by eager
purchasers, but liberal premiums have been paid 10
procure them. In many instances, the Supposed ter
minus of the Pacific Railroad has caused Il rapid i'll
crease in the value of the stock, no less than three dis
tinctlocalities have p~rospered, each under the vain but
pleasing delusion, that in their vicinity aud theirs
only would the eagerly coveted railroad end. First,
Oakland Township, anticipating Goat Island as the
terminus; secondly, Hunters Point, from q rumor
that an immense bridge Was to be constructed,
from Alameda county, a formidable enterprises; third
~, the San jose Railroad having been negotiated for
by the Central Company, property along the line
rapidly enhances in value-if this supposition is cor
rect, the Central Railroad will make n circuit of the
Bay. 1t is hard to conjecture where the road will
end, every location having its advocates and decided
advantages,-but a recent disclosure of reported pur-
chases by the Central Company of nearly every rail-
road in the State, also developes the fact that there
will be one terminus ut Oakland-the information
however, is scarcely reliable.
Another Victory!
The prospects of the National Republican party
never were brighter. Rhode Island in the election
held upon the lst of April, comes calamity to the
mark, rolling up a majority of 1907 for Burnside,
Republican candidate for Governor, an increase Of
about ZOO over last years vote Despite the infu-
ence brought 70 bear by Government Officials in the
Presidents employ, undismayed by the burdens of
taxation and depression in business, evils ably COM
mented upon by talented Democratic speakers, the
loyal people of Rhode Island have proved true to the
core. Union men are encouraged concerning Con-
necticut, but are scarcely justified in anticipating a