New-York tribune., 1868-02-24
IMPEACHMENT
THE SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

seene of such continued earnestness and wild excite
reot in the Captol as characterized the entire pro-
coedngs Congress yesterday from the hour Oh noon
until midnight Prom the time OF closing my us
patches on Fridoy night until the assembling
of both Houses at noon yesterday there
Vyas no abatement in the interest excitement of
The nublic here but rather it was enhanced by the
news that Gen. Thomas had been arrested early in
the morning and, also. by rumors of miraculous
trsnsaotions throughout the entire city, especially at
either end OF tho avenue. At the Capitol the most
remarkable news was received of events the War
Department at the White House, and at the Army
Headquarters. while in the neighbOrhood of the lat
Yer points at one minute rumors current of the
most high-handed proceedings on the part of Con-
gross and at another. that impotence, imbeclty and
indeeison had made towards of ALL Stanton, at one
time. had been forced from the War Department, at
the point of the bayonet, and heavy guard had
been stationed about the building to protect Gen.
Thomas in the discharge of his duties; then Stanton
himself had been arrested by the military, and his
person held by detachment of soldiers; and dozen
more rumors retailed from the same trustworthy
gentleman that supplied bountifully during the
war each as unreasonable and impossible of truth
the ones cited. I'm the mean time. crowds tbronged
the avenue leading to the Capitol and the building
itself in all its rotundas lobbies and corridors,
a moving mass OF humanity. Little difference was
observable in tho numbers crOwding the Senate and
House wings lato in the forenoon, for the general
puLc were divided in opinion to where the inter
sf would center so the galleries of both Senate and
House were full long before the hour of noon arrived
Both Houses assembled and were promptly called to
order at u oclock but tho Senate adjourned at once
without attempting any business, and its galleries
swarmed along the lObbes leading to the House.
The crowds which have before been seen in the cap-
tol we're as platoons to an army in comparison with
this. Soon after tho Senate adjourned the largest
crowd that ever assembled in the House jammsd the
galleries Certain il is that room could not have
been made fora dozen persons without serious
possibilities with the most enterprsing and scientific
packing. Neither the floor the House nor the re-
rorers gallery the latter of which is deemed sacred
was secure from the intrusion of the women. Some
nervousness was manifested during the prayer and
the reading of the journal and when the Speaker an
nounced that the business before the House was the
consideration of patent case on which Maine
member was entitled to the floor the disappointed
discouraged faces throughout the audience were
somethIng wonderful TO behold Half the throng had
doubtless come in the firm belief that Mr. Johnson
was to be tried and impeached during the first half
hour of the session. Many persons left the galleries
st this point, but the multitude was not diminished
Order had scarcely been obtained when the trivial
motions of the Democrats began. The patriotic
Ehlridgc--of whom it has been said that he could
smile and smile, and murder while he smiled-being
ssnsibly struck with the grandeur and sacredness of
the I'D Of February. moved the reading of Washing
toms Farewell Address and an adjournment there
after Holman, Kerr Barnes and others, also
ATTEMPTED TO stave off the consideration of the sub
jeot Of impeachment by delaying the proceedings in
stupid motions and objections but they were de-
fested. and the business went on. Two hours were
consumed in general business, during which the
epterprising and strategic Washburne got through
one or two appropriation billse taking advantage Of
che excitement to cut off debate But it great
to be in at the death of the King. TO be compelled TO
listen to speeches on cookstOves instead Of impeach
mont. and their impatience was ill-concealed.
At last at two o'clock, Mr. Stevens enters the hall
on the left of the Speaker, and slowly and feebly
walks UP the isle and takes a seat beside Gen. Butler
A thousand eyes are bent on him. Buzz and hutter
run through the audience, and thousand hngers
ooint him ont to these who failed to observe his
entranee The Speakers gavel falls and hrs ringing
oce warns the persons in the galleries that perfect
si,enoe must be maintained during the proceedings
about TO begin, on pain of expulsion Then Mr.
Stevens. with the aid of his cane slowly hits his
emasiated FORM and standing erect, pale, and weak
presents the report of the Reconstruction COMMITTEE
and the resolution for the impeachment OF Andrew
johnson. The House, during the reading by Mr.. Me
Pherson was as silent and oppressive as cavern,
and when Mr. Stevens again rose there was never
before such attention given to any man Oh
the floor of the American Congress. His voice
was low and feeble to the last degree, being
scarcely above whisper, yet every word was dis
tinctly heard throughout the vast hall. lie at
tempted no argument, being willing, as he said, TO
take a vote Immediately, so far as he was concerned.
he desired simply to leave the question of debate
with the other SIDE claiming the privilege of reply
ing before the vote should be taken the resolution
Later In the day the Speaker said that he would
coOaize Mr. Stevens tomorrow in order 10 permit
him TO close the debate Mr. Stevens took the chair
xhieh had been placed for him within the circle Of
tbe seats and Mr. Brooks rose to reply His speech
i; the one usually recited by him when the Constitu-
tion Is invaded and the laws trampled upon lie
spoke in his usual elastic manner Of Cromwell and
the Charles's and then alluded to the Constitution