The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-03-18
GAR REEDS REWARD.
Resolutions Offered Congress Looking To
ward His impeachment.

Resolutions Offered Congress Looking To-
ward His impeachment.
AS result of the Maine statesman's
many departures from the paths of
rectitude while officiating as speaker of
the house of representatives at Wash
ington the following set of resolutions
were on Monday, February "a, present
ed by Representative Scott Wike, of
Illinois, to the judiciary committee:
Whereas. The frequent falsifcations of the
journal of the proceedings Of the house of
representatives of the Fifty-frst congress,
by the arbitrary action OF the speaker
and notably by his unwarrantable action
on February 20 inst, in the matter of the
count of Messrs. Turner (Ga), Clements, Crisp,
Blanchard ana Wilson MOL Wlitelaw Filth
ian, Oates and others, members of the house,
as present and not voting for the purpose of
making the record show an apparent quorum
to do business, when in fact there was not
quorum as required by the constitution of the
United States, and when, in fact, such mem.
bers were not present nor within the hall Of the
house at the time: and
Whereas, In that connection the arbitrary
and tyrannical action of the presiding officer Of
the house and his political associates on the
floor on the 2lst day Of the same month In re
fuSlng to allow or entertain motion for the
purpose OF correcting the Justification SO made
in the journal Of the proceedings Of the previous
day so as to make it conform to the facts in the
premises as they were clearly established and
made to appear; and
Whereas, These arbitrary, unlawful and un
constitutional acts were done in pursuance of o
plan concocted by the leaders Of party just
overthrown by an overwhelming major.
ffyy 80 -
the closing hours of their power to install
for life into new federal judicial offices then and
there being created for that purpose a number
OF the repudiated and defeated candidates of
the party at that election, in defiance OF and
against the will Of large majority Of the
voters Of the country-north and south as we'll
as east and west-all of these unlawful and I'm.
worthy official acts making it apparent and pat
ent that the injury threatened to the liberties of
the people and to constitutional free government
by the arbitrary and unlawful action of the
chair may become calamitous and irreparable,
and inasmuch as there seems to be no compul-
sorry restraining power in existence except
through the action of the majority in the re.
spective bodies which is usually in political
sympathy with its presiding officer: therefore,
Resolved, That the committee on the judi
ciaEg be and it is hereby instructed to report to
the house forthwith q joint resolution for the
action Of congress submitting for ratification
an amendment to The constitution providing a
plan for the impeachment and removal
from office with suitable penalties or for
the trial either upon Indictment or informa-
tion In the courts Of tie district of Columbia
or the supreme court of the United States of
the speaker or presiding officer of the house of
representatives or the president or presiding
officer Of the senate who shall willfully falsfy
or falsely make up, alter or change or cause or
permit the same to be done by the clerk
Of the body over which the party offending
may preside, or by any other person, the jour
nal of its proceedings, either by counting and
entering therein as present or causing the same
to be done the name or names of any member
or members who shall not IN fact be present at
the time for the purpose of making
quorum or otherwise, or by any other means
or for any other purpose whatsoever. The
said amendment to the constitution shall pro-
vide that such offense shall be a high crime or
misdemeanor, with such penalties by fine aad
imprisonment, removal from office and disqual.
tication for holding office as said committee
shall deem commensurate with the character
OF the offense or crime indicated"