The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-03

OF the narrative. AT the close, Mr.. Clymer |
said with great emotion: Mr.. speaker
would not if could, and could not. in nv
present conoition,if | would, add anything
to the facts just reported to the house. |
Another occasion may be afforded me to
do so. They are SO plain that everywhere
throughout this broad land, and through.
out christendom, wherever the English |
language is read or spoken, they will for
long years constitute record of official |
corruption and crime such as there is no |
parallel for in our own history or in that
of any other country. In this hour if one
sentiment of pity, one word of sympathy
could find utterance from me, it would be
because felt that the l.Ite secretary of
aoar IS but the proper oufgro,oth. the true
exponent of the corruption, Extravaganza.
and the naasgOuernnseat that haze cursed
tltis land for gears past That being my
own reflection | will discharge my duty
best to myself and this house by demand
ing the previous question on the adoption
of the resolutions.
Mr.. Kasson appealed to Mr. Clymer to
give an opportunity for some suggestions
to be made before asking the previous
question on a matter Of SO grave impor-
tance,
Mr.. Clymer, however, refused and de-
manded the previous question.
kasson-Does the gentlemen expect the
house to night, after clock. aud without
this report being printed, to vote on these
resolutions when even the impeachability
OF the officer at present is a point to be con-
sidered by the house.
Mr.. Clymer-After the previous ques-
tion has been ordered | will yield half the
hour to members of the COMMITTEES who
are on the other side.
After some further discussion the pre-
vious question was seconded and Mr..
Clymer yielded the floor to his colleague
on the committee (Robbins.)
MIR. Robbins pleaded his mental and
physical exhaustion from his continuous
service on the committee as reason why
he would not address the house at any
length. He spoke of the report as pre-
senting a case ofgreat shame and disgrace
to all american citizens. AS to the ques-
ton of the iupeachability of an officer
who resigned he was not prepared to
say. Would they expect that an officer
who had been found guilty of criminal
conduct could flee from Justice? He
alluded to what he called the unseemly
acceptance Of Secretary Belkndp's res gnd-
ton and referred to the English cases of
Warren Hastings and Lord Francis pacon,
both cf whom had been impeached after
, they had ceased to hold the Offices in
which they committed crime and mis-
demeanors
} Mrs. Bass. of New York, said Mr.. Cly-
: mer would find that this case had many
, parallels. He would not have to leave
his own borders to find case compared
; with which this was as white as driven
snow. He admitted that the mere state.
ment OF this case, as presented by the
) testimony, was sufficient to justify every
? member TO vote for the resolutions pre-
t sent 3a.
2 Mr.. Lamer inquired from Mr.. Bass his
| opinion as to impeachability of a resigned
r officer.
i Mr.. Bass replied that English authori
ties seemed to maiutain the jurisdiction
} of impeachment in such cases, but tha,
] III this country it was an unadludicatet
question and one that was not free frcn
s doubt. His own best judgment was IL
o favor OF the right to impeach and to le
the question be adjudicated by the senate
s Mr.. Hoar, in answer to casual remar
f repudia.ed the idea Of this being politica
d question. He quoted the case of Whit
$ more, of South Carolina, in which tn
t house had determined that forma, actua
e resignation of an officer terminated hi
office and that any American citizen coul
e lay down an Office held by him without an
e acceptance Of his resignation Judg
8 Story had laid down the doctrine that
p could not be done in Englnnd. but ther
e any citizen could be impeached, and there
e fore the English cases of Warren Hasting
and Lord Bacon did not apply in America
d None but civil officer could be impeache
IS and when he ceased TO be a civil officer b
ceased to be within the literal description
n the constitution in this country. The onl
n judgment that could be rendered in an i'm
e peachment case was removal from offic
and future disqualification from holdiu
le office, but by statutes person guilty
such offences could be indicted, tried an
sentenced by the criminal courts of tn
country. He protested against hot hast
in this matter without having the test
mony printed.
- After further debate the house proceed
- ed to vote on the resolutions and they wei
unanimously adouted
y. The speaker appointed as a ;nmitts
to notify the senate of the achoa of tt
r. house, Messrs. Ciymer, Robbins. BlacI
h burn, Bass and Danforth, these member
t composing the committee on expenditur
e. of the war department. making the repor
x The house then adjourned.