New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-25
METHOD OF IMPEACHMENE

Heau OIL HdJiOu 10 sptCtdcie Ol luIc OCCu-
renee in the history Of the world. The mon
arches of the old world do not provide such
a case Absolute and constitutional mon
arches agree in placing the acts of the mon
arch above the law, with only this difference,
that in constitutional mOnarchies the minis
tiers are responsible to the legislature
for all the princely acts which they
sanction by their signature. In the struggle
of the European countries for liberal insttu-
tons, the principle of ministerial responsibility
occupies prominent place. The concession OF
the principle gives to the legislature the right
Of controlling, and, if necessary, impeaching, if
not the nominal, at least the actual heads OF
the state The principle was Laid down in all
the constitutions which owed their origin TO the
revolutionary movements of 1913, and was last
year rcintrOduced into Austria.
But though the lawmakers in Europe law
lessly endeayOred to exempt the malfeasances
of princes from the operation OF the laws, the
people have frequently taken the right OF I'M
parchment into their own hands. Charles L. OF
England, and Louis XVI. of France, constitute
memorable examples of royal impeachments
in Europe and more recently LOuis Philippe
and his dynasty were deprived of the throne
by solemn decree of the representatives of the
French nation.
In republics the president Is only the first
among the executive officers Of the govern
ment, and the possibility of his violating the
law is expressly provided for. Still, cases
of the formal impeachment of a president are
exceedingly rare. Instances occurred few
months ago in the United States of Colombia,
a
lied, and in Ecuador where the President was
impeached by the House of Representatives,
and censured by the Senate; but more COM
monty dissatisfaction with the president vents
itself in instruction and civil war. In the
United States, the impeachment of the Presi-
dent is without precedent. Only once, in 1873,
an attempt was made against President Tyler,
but it failed. There have, however been several
cases of the impeachment of other civil OFF,
GERS In 1897, William Blount, Senator from
Tennessee, was impeached for having intrigued
to transfer New-Orleans to Great Britain; in
1903, John Pickering, Justice of the District
Court of the District of New Hampshire, was
impeached on four charges, one OF which
alleged that he was a man of loose morals and
incorporate habits; in 1905, the impeachment
of Samuel Chase, an Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States, was the
cause of great public excitement; in 1880,
James II. Peck, Judge of the District Court
for the District of Missouri, was i'm
peached of high misdemeanOrs. The latest
cases are those of Judge Watrous of Texas,
who was impcached in 1851 aud of Judge West
III. Humphreys of Tennessee, who in 1862 was
impeached for completely in the Rebellion. All
Al fufa IA Of ia M
parchment of the President, which will be con-
Quoted in similar manner, except that at the
trial of the President the Chief-Justice of the SUI
preme Court of the United States must preside.
The main points in the procedure against the
President will, therefore, be as follows:
A committee appointed by the House will
appear before the bar of the Senate and Off
cially announce the resolution of impeachment.
The President of the Senate viii appoint Sc
lect Committee to hear the report of the Com
mittee of tho House. A report will then be
made by the Senate Committee to the Senate.
The Senate will take action, and its action will
be officially communicated to the House. The
Speaker will appoint Board Of Mana
gers to conduct the Impeachment; they
will carry to the Senate the articles
of impeachment. The action of the House win
be read to the Senate, which then appoints the
time when it will "resolve itself into Court
"of Impeachment Each Senator takes the
oath that he will do impartial justice. The
Board of Managers of the House being intro
duced to the bar Of the Court, formally present
the articles of impeachment. A summons is
issued to the party accused to answer the arti-
cles of impeachment, fixing the day returna-
BILE. which is served at least ten days
before the return thereof. The day Of
the trial having arrived, the House, resolving
itself into Committee Of the Whole, proceeds
in q body to the Senate Chamber, and is ad-
mitted. The return is read by the Secretary of
the Senate. Arrangements are then made for
the summoning of witnesses. The trial being
completed, each article is read by the Secre-
tary, and the roll called, when each Senator
answers Guilty or "Not Guilty" two-thirds
being required to declare the accused guilty.
The decision is given, and communicated % the
accused. If found guilty, the President will
from that moment be deprived of his office, the
functions of which will deyolve upon the Pres
ident of the Senate, the Hon. Benjamin +.
Wade Of Ohio.
The trial of President Johnson will rank in
history as one of the most celebrated state
trials of all times Rarely has the world
watched the proceedings of legislative body
with 80 intense an interest as it will watch
the action of Congress in this impeachment
case, and the decision of the Senate, whatever
IL may be- will make profound impression
throughout the world.
just look at the absurdty of Andrew John
sons position. The Constitution declares that