Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-02-28
TlIL EorsE OK IMpEAcHMENr.

The following is report of the proceed
ings in the House on Saturday:
At , y. IN. the Reconstruction committee
made its rearaace. and buzz OF excite
ment ran through the galleries and the
House.
The House. which was in Committee OF
lie Whole. rose, and then amid profound
silence and most eager and painful inter
est. Mr.. Stevens rose.
The Speaker took the precaution to an
nounce that there mn-t be neither applause
nor dissent from either floor or galleries,
and that Il disregard OF the rules Of t,l,,
House would be followed by a prompt
eicclment OF the offenders.
Mr.. Stevens announced. with few pre-
liminary remarks, the report OF the Conn
niittee as follows, which Was read by the
Clerk:
In addition to the papers referred to, the
Committee tiad that tne President. on The
q st OF February. 1868. signed and order
ed Il Commission or letter of authority, TO
one Lorenzo Thomas ~ act as Secretary
OF War. ad Interim. and 10 take possession
of the books. records. papers and otilel
p;,blic property in the War Department OF
which the following is copy.
Executive Mansion.
Washington, u. c., Feb. y, 1865
Subtitle Hon. Edwin N. stanton hav-
! ing been removed f. ON the Office OF Seere-
| tary of War, you are hereby authorized
| ana empowered to act as Secretary OF
War. ad interim. and you Will Immediate
iy enter upon the discharge of the duties
/ pertaining to that ollie. Mr.. Stanton has
| been instructed to transfer to you al. rec
ords. books. papers and other public prop
erty ntrusted 20 his charge.
Respectfully yours.
(Sirne y ANDREW JOHNSON.
To Brevet Major General Lorenzo Thorn.
as. Adiutant General Us A.
'Ofilcial Copy, respectfully farnis he'd
| to Hon. Edwin NJ. Stanton.
(signed) J.. THOMAS,
Secretary of War, ad interim.
Fpon the evidence collected by the Com
miftee. which is hereafter presented. and
| in virtue OF the powers with which they
have been Invested by TIE House, lhcy are
OF the opinion tn It Andrew johnson, Pres
| ldent of the United States be i:npeached of
| high crimes and misdemeanors ; they there
| fore recommended 20 the House the adop-
| tiou Of the accompanying resolution.
(Signed) Thaddcas Stevens, George
| A. Boutwell, John \. bingham. +. &. Bea-
men, {. l.. uarlbuld, JoAl r. Farnsworth
II. Il. Paine.
Resolved. mat AiufeW Johnson. Tres
ident OF the United States. be mpeacGe,l
of high crimes AID niisdemeahors.
At The conclusion of The reading. MIR,
Stevens said il there was no disposition 10
discuss the matter on the democratic SIDE.
he would move the previous questions at
once, but il there was he would llstcn To
what they had to say, and wouid reserve
his remarks until the clos of the de1ate.
Mr.. Brooks took the floor in general
sort of speech, arguing against the propri-
ETY. and regularity OF the proceedings.
Mr.. Bingham followed. first yielding five
minutes to his colleague. SpaulGing, who
announced that he has thus far been OPP
posed TO bringing Andrew johnson 10 the
bar Of he Senate !or his conduct, bat he
should now oppose it 40 Iodlser.
hir. Bingham luen spoke half an hour,
taking the ground that II was useless If not