The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-08-19
About Johnson's ImPeaehmeBt-NO
money Used 80 Aequit Eaim.

THURSDAY ADJUST ~. 1910
About JohnsOn,s ImpeaehmeBt-No
money Used 80 Aequit kaim.
'sMack, of the st. Louis Glo5e-D Democrat,
in an extended article on Mr., johnson, says;
There has been great deal Of talk about
the use of money as means TO secure the
acquittal OF johnson. Without making
any valuable addition TO the fund OF inior-
nation on this subject, / will state what
think know TO be fact, that Mr.. johnson
not only never consented 10 the use OF
money, but often said, IN my hearing, tnat
IL he could be acquitted for hve dollars ne
would not pay the sum, nor let anybody
else nav IL for him am borne out In TINS
assertion by the well-known fact that he
allowed Jere Black TO Withdraw from ms
defense rather than give bis Official sane
ton to a corrupt land trade IN which Black
was interested He told Black that he
would rather be convicted ten times over
than purchase not only defense, but even
acauittal at such price. Black evidently
believed he had johnson in his power, and
IL looked like q bad piece Of business for
such a man To withdraw from case on the
eve OF trial but johnson was not the kind
OF man to be intimidated, and besides, as
have already said, he did not look upon
conviction as an unmixed evil to him. Tn
doubtedly money was used in q variety of
ways to defeat the scheme of conviction;
and, what is more, there was good deal
more money ready TO be used in case Of
necessity. There were votes cast for con-
viction that could have been persuaded in
the other direction, in case of an emergen-
cy. The great consideration with the anti
impeachers was to make sure of nineteen
votes-J believe there were ffty-four men
In the Senate then-and they were cautious
enough to get a few ''alteTnates," as they
do in conventions. The assertion may be
received with incredulity, and yet make
IL from well-grounded knowledge, that
johnson got some of his most efficient help
from the society ladies of Washington-not
the resident rebels or Democrats OF the
capital, but the wives and daughters of
some OF the most ardent impeachers in Con-
gress. There was a womanly sympathy for
Johnson from the beginning OF his troubles.
lie was not ''ladies' man., " by any means,
but there was something about himself and
his quiet and transformations family which
served to win the women; and many Of
them helped him by furnishing information
to his friends, and in variety OF ways
quite creditable to the ingenuity Of the sex.
thought of tins not long since while read
ing Mr.. DeFouest's novel, "Playing the
Mischief" The heroine is rather low type
of Becky Sharp, who goes TO Washington
to worry bogus claim through Congress.
II the author had known a few of the Sc
crsts of the impeachment, he might have
written work of much more romance and
much better tone. .rs
There were other dark ways and vain
tricks connected with both sides of the i'm
parchment struggle, which would take q
volume, instead Of an article, to relate. i
cannot, however, refrain from telling one
OF them. Mr.. Willard Salisbury was a
Democratic Senator from Delaware, with
good intentions, but very decided weak
ness for toddy. He would stay sober for
months sometimes, but the mere smell Of
liquor would start him on spree that might
last for weeks. He had been quite steady
for long time, and had promised to alb
stain entirely from liquor while the i'm
parchment trial lasted. One evening
young man called at his room and desired
an interview, which was granted. He rep
resented himself as the agent of a wine and
liquor importing house in New York, who
had come 20 Washington to have the tariff
amended with respect to these articles, and
he would like to interest the Senator in his
cause. He concluded his remarks by say
ing that he had brought some samples of
wine and brandy with him, and asked the
Senator's permission TO send few bottles
to his room. salisbury immediately saw
in this proposition plot to get him drunk,
so that he might be either absent from the
Senate when the vote on impeachment was
taken, or that, going 10 the Senate in a
state of intoxication, he might be expelled,
as has often been threatened in his case.
Indeed, resolution for his expulsion had
once been offered and was then on the
calendar of the Senate. 1t looked then, on
close calculation, as If one vote suhtracted
from the Democratic side, would secure
Johnsons conviction. Salisbury ordered
the bogus wine merchant out Of his room
in short order, and Immediately acquainted
several of his friends with details of the
plot. 1t reached Johnson's ear very soon.
"They can't beat me any other way
said the President, land they are trying to
get the Jury drunk 1t was immediately
resolved by Johnson's friends to keep a
close watch on Salisbury, and tins precau-
ton was soon rendered necessary. Sauls-
bury, whether as the result of conspiracy,
or in obedience to his own sweet will, got
furiously drunk on the day rendered memo
rable in the history of the trial by the anti
impeachment speeches Of Fessenden, Trum-
bull, and other Republicans. IL was q Sc.
cret session of the Senate, but IL soon got
noised abroad that salisbury was trying to
get the floor to make drunken speech.
Half an hour later he would probably have
been expelled. But he was persuaded to
leave the Senate, and he was accompanied
to his room, where he was put to bed. The
vote was expected the next day, and it was
important to have Salisbury present, con-
sultation was held as to the best and quick
est means Of SOLDERING him off. Somebody
suggested big fright as good thing tor
HIM under the circumstances. There was
q Babcock fire extinguisher in the hall,
which was immediately transferred to the
bedaide Of the tpsy Senator. salisbury
rose on his launches to know what the in
fernal thing was for, and the agonixing
manner in which he begged for mercy when
lt would be applied to him IL he were not
duly sober by i've o'clock in the morning,
will not soon be forgotten by the few who
witnessed IT, From that day forward until
the vote was ;aken salisbury was sent to
the Senate every day in hack, aud his
movements were carefully watched 80 that
he was present 10 vote against impeachment
when the final vote was taken. rhere was
sequel 10 this. The anti,impeaehers in,
sisted on abe Mosaic Law az retaliation =.
drunk for drunk-and there Was = bad case
OF dtiRssm traRcRs on the other side of the
Senate Chamber before long, which can
even now be Traced in the official record of
the High Court Of impeachment. i ~
The Danger OF Oentralizaslon. -
Ia his recent speech, passing 70 the sub
ject Of Capitalization, Senator Thurman re,