The Van Buren press., 1871-02-28
IIorsE. Feb. Is.

Immediately after the journals were
read, Mr. Padgett said he once more rose
to one OF those privileged questions, for
the purpose of presenting articles of i'm
peachment against John Mcclure, chief
Justice of the supreme court of the State
On yesterday the Republican stated there
were only thirteen minutes between forty
of us and eternity. This morning it tells
us that it becomes the duty of each friend
Of Powell Clayton to select his man, and
make way Herewith. As for himself, he
had duty here to perform, and desirous
of doing rs much as possible for the bene-
lit Of the rcople before the trap Of Gov.
CLAYTON Shall fall, he conceived it high
ami solemn du.y to present these articles
and in doing 50 he would still follow
the llusliious precedent of the gentleman
from Little River { (Hazledine) in moving
the previous question on the motion to
impcach the Lieutenant governor, and
move the previous question on the adop
ton of the following:
WHEREAS, John Mcclure, a justice Of
the supreme court of Arkansas, is guilty
of high crimes and msdemeanors
First. In that he has engaged in con
spiracy with Governor Powell Clayton
and Others to unlawfully and maliciousy
deprive Lieutenant Governor James Nj.
Johnson of his Office Of said Lieutenant
Governor, TO which he was duly elected
by the people of Arkansas and qualified
according to law.
Second In that he has bargained for
pay and bribes to influence his actions
and decisions as ajusticc Of said supreme
court, at divers times and on various oc-
casions, all contrary to law and the con
stitu.ion of the State of Arkansas.
Third In that he has, as chief Justice
of the supreme court of Arkansas, issued
writ Of mandomus, without authority,
and in violation of law and the constitu-
ton of the State of Arkansas, upon
Lieutenant Governor James NJ. johnson.
now acting governor Of the State of Ar
kansas, by reason of Governor Powell
Clayton having been impesaSSh1ed byn It the
ties, and pretending to restrain said
Lieutenant Governor James NJ. Johnson
from performing the functions Of said of.
flee, thus presenting remarkable and
unwarrantable case of one co ordinate
department of government attempting to
restrain another by writ of mandomus,
all with an unlawful and corrupt design
to retard the operation of the State gov
ernmcnt, and contempt Of this House.
Therefore, move
lst That John Mcclure, chief Justice
of the supreme court Of the State of Al
kansas, be and is hereby impeached of
high crimes and msdemeanors in office,
and he is hereby suspended from exercis-
ing further the functions of his office, as
provided by the constitution of the State
of Arkansas.
I'd. That ID. j. Smith, of Columbia
county, f. NJ. Thompson, of Columbia
county, f.. A. Fulton, of Drew county,
b, b.. Battle, Of Hampstead county, VI.
b. Padgett, of Independence county, and
r. A. Howard, of Pulaski county, be ap.
pointed managers to prepare and report
articles Of impeachment against John
Mcclure, chief justice OF the supreme
court of the State of Arkansas, with
power to send for persons, papers and
records, and to take testimony under
oath, and prosecute the same before the
bar of the Senate
3D.. That said managers be directed to
go to the Senate Immediately, and at the
bar thereof, in the name of the House of
Representatives and all the people of the
State of Arkansas announce the impeach
ment of John Mcclure, chief Justice of
the supreme court of the State of Arkan
sas, of high crimes and misdemeanors in
office, and acquaint the Senate that the
House of Representatives will in due
time exhibit particular articles of i'm.
peachment against him, and make good
the same; and that tlle.managers do dc.
mand that the Senate take order for the
appearance Of the said John Mcclure to
answer to said impeachment.
The chair ruled that so much of the
motion as appointed committee of
could not be entertained, being
in conflict with the rules of the House,
and such should have been the ruling be-
fore.
The vote on the previous question
stood as follows: Ayes, 43; noes, 33.
Then followed motion on top of mo
ton. and appeals from the decision of
the chair, by the Clayton side, all intend.
ed for filibustering to gain time About
a half dozen appeals were taken on sense
less points of order, in all of which the
chair was sustained. These proceedings
lasted for about three hours, before vot |
ing commenced on the main question AT
| 20 y. m, the clerk commenced calling