New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-31

| A foIIrloAL BAReAm oossUnArED.
The Democratic Legislature Of Missis-
sippi has consummated purpose which
I the Democratic Legislature Of Louisiana
failed to effect chiefly because of the in
terposition of our business interests. Ac-
cording to the special to the New Orleans
Times, dated jackson, Mississippi. March
%, 1876:
Early in the afternoon. Featherston, one
of the managers OF the prosecution OF the
Ames impeachment case, presented the tOl-
lowing resolution:
Resolved by the House Of Representatives
of the State Of Mississippi, That the man.
ayers on the part of the House in the mat
ter of the impeachment Of Governor Ames
be and they are hereby directed to discharge
Ames, heretofore exhibited by them against
HIM ct the bar Of the Senate
The resolution created sensation, but
when the following letter was read. mem.
beers crowded the aisles and around the
Speakers desk The excitement spread
over the city, astonishing ev cry body.
Then follows the letter Of Governor
Ames.
The proceedings as reported by the
Associated Press change this order, and
say under the above date:
In consequence of the following letter THE
Governors resignation]. which was read
during the session Of the House of Represen-
tativee, the House adopted . resolution by
. vote Of IS yeas to 10 nays, instructipg the
managers Of the Ames impeachment case
10 discontinue the proceedings and with
draw the articles.
That this transposition Of cause and eff
feet was not justified by the journal Of the
House of Representatives is rendered
probable by the postscript Of the dis
patch:
The resignation Of the Governor was .
complete surprise TO all except few whO
had agreed on the plan last night.
The question whether the resignation or
the resolution was first in priority of time
is one of much moral importance. If it
were bargain between the accusers and
accused, that the numerous and serious
charges should be dismissed upon the
resignation of office, then there would
appear to have been compromising Of
grave official offenses by the Democracy
for the consideration Of an Office with the
accompanying patronage.
Sometimes an individual, moved BY
the loss of watch or pocketbook. will
agree to take back the lost article and
ask no questions. In such case public
duty is no doubt compounded, but the
act is overlooked in consequence Of the
private injury. In the dismissal Of the
impeachment, however. there can be no
such plea, because the office given up is
not the property of the prosecutor, but
of the public. There was then no excuse
for such dismissal. That such contract
was made is further rendered probable
from the letter addressed by Governor
Ames to his counsel. On the same date
with his resignation he informs them.
announcing his wish to resign his office,
but adding
Meanwhile articles OF impeachment we're
presented against me. and OF course l could |
not Snd would rot retire tccm my position
under the iUputa.iou u any char &c affect |
ing my honor or integrity.
This clearly shows tina. he made the |
dismissal Of the impeachment condition
p-eceden. to resignation. He could not |
and would not retire from Office without |
such dismissal. The distinct proposal is
then made, and We suppose through |
his counsel:
II the articles os impeachment presented |
a gainst ME we're dismissed l should feel At
liberty TO carry out my desire AID purpose
Of resignation.
Indeed, the subsequent part OF the dis
patch contIadicts the introduction and ss-
the order o; proceeding.
At three o'clock the Impeachment. court
and Manager Feathe-ston pre-
sented the resolution liischarging the i'm
nent articles sgsinst Governor Ames be
dismissed. which was done- Mr.. DurAnt, of
Governor Ames counsel. then read a. fol-
owG
F1scvTEvs o,Elcx,l
Jackson. March y. Is7a
10 the reoH.S OF lie Se4sS OF AtSAlSS.pfi
l hereby respectfully resign nv Office of
Governor of the State OF Mississippi
ADELBERT AMES.
We suppose the impeachers will not
bink it so strange that General Grant &C
,epsed the resignation Of Secretary Bel
nap while under charges Of Official mis-
conduct.
We can not exactly understand how
IL. Ames viniicates himself, either to
Us State or party" by such an open
purchase of s nolle prosequi- Both these
,-eat interests demanded that the charges.
f unfounded. should have been retrac:ei
u the trial. If these charges were just,
10Th the State and party were interested
La, they should have been prosecuted to
and eviction from Office.
The Republicans are represented in all
be dispatches as being indignant at this
udden abandonment OF post under fire
1 the enemy Within three hours OF the