Evening journal., 1912-04-06
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Crucial Moment Of the
Johnson impeachment
Proceedings
n Uo1IooN
By Holland


When William Window Of Minne-
sofa was secretary Of the treasury in
Garfeld's cabinet, he was asked by
Garfield what was the most exciting
episode which came under his person
al observation when he was in Con-
gress. The President, however. be-
fore Window replied, told of the most
romantic moment that came under
his observation while he was in Con-
gress; and the incident, as Garfield
related it, was described yesterday
Later, Window told this story;
There was one moment during the
taking of the vote in the Senate cham
Der on the impeachment of President
Johnson which, ! think, was the most
intensely exciting moment of my poll
tical career.
You may remember that no one
was able to forecast the result of the
vote upon the impeachment articles,
We all knew that It would be very
close Some of the Senators who had
made canvass thought that Johnson
would be convicted by about three
votes; it takes two-thirds Of the Sen
ate to support articles of impeach-
ment. On the other hand the oppon-
ents of impeachment thought that
they had two more than enough 10
prevent impeachment There we're
six Republican Senators who kept
their own counsel. Nobody could
tell from anything they had said or
done whether they would vote i'm favor
of Impeachment or against II If they
voted against IT, then the impeach-
ment would fail.
81 think nearly all the members of
the House Of Representatives OF winch
| was a member, went over INTO tue
Senate chamber for the voting The
galleries were crowded as had never
seen them. There was a srained OK
pression upon the face Of every Sena-
tor. All were keyed up TO the highest
pitch because of the suspense. Many
on the members Of the House kept
little tally sheets as the vote pro-
crossed. Before half OF the Senator'S
names had been called II was realized
that the vote would be very close.
at last the clerk Of the Senate
reached tho name OF Senator Jacob G.
Fowler of TENNESSEE The presiding
officer. Chief Justice Of the United
States Court Salmon p. Chase, said IN
a very clear voice How does tho Sem
ator from Tennessee voteg
Fowler was almost beside himself
with excitement and nervousness. Ills
whole body shook. He seemed un-
steady Oh his feet, and although he
opencd his mouth to reply IL was a
moment or two before he could IND
his voice At last he said, Guilty
"The Senate, upon that announce
ment, WAS in such excitement that II
seemed for a moment as though all
bond of decorum would be broken
Senator Fowler had been counted on
as one Of the Senators who would vote
against impeachment. Therefore, when
| he said guilty n seemed certain that
| President Johnson would he found
guilty on tho Impeachment articles
and would be therefore removed from
| the Presidency
"Some ono hastily piuckod az Sena
tor Fowlers coat and whispered t'
him. He still seemed confused The
strain and excitement were almost to'
much for him, but al last he said tha
he thought he had misunderstood the
question put TO him by Chier Justice
Chase. and asked that IL be repeated
The Chief Justice did repeat the ques
tion and then Senator Fowler said
Not guilty
After that II all donpended upol
the vote of one Senator, Van Winkle
Of West Virginia He voted Not guilty
and President johnson was save'
thereby. because the necessary two
thirds vote to sustain the articles o
Impeachment was short one vote
81 think that IN all my experience
in political life there was no momen
when my mental and moral tension
was so great as that when Senate
Fowler first said Guilty and then re
covered himself In time 10 say No
guilty For had his first vote stoo
Johnson would have been impeached.
Copyright, 1912. by p. J Edwards
All rights rpeprVcd