The Bismarck tribune., 1931-04-16
Impeachment by Senate
(Washin1ton Starr


Senator Bingham of Connecticut advances proposal
that the senate be given coequa rights with the house
to bring impeachment proceedings against officials execu
tive and judicial, of the federal government The rea
he advances for this proposal that under the po-
tical system which prevails house Of representatives
will decline to initiate impeachment proceedings against
officials appointed by the president who presumably is
OF the same party majority OF the house. the SEN
ate the other hand Senator Bingham contends is not
closely bound to the chief executive by political ties
because 1t is continuing body with only onethrd of
its membership elected at time and its members not
having any particular reason to be so loyal to the pres
dent The estimate of the senate advanced by Senator
Bingham perhaps has been the result OF his observation
OF the inSugent Republicans who have held the bal
ance Of power in the last few years.
1T Is obvious Senator Bingham that In the last
analysis the safest protection which the people have
against arbitrary tyrannical dishonest public officials
other The fact that during the past 140 years the house
has only brought before the senate admnistra-
tive executive officer appointed by the president shows
that the SYSTEM provided for in the COnSti
tuition, does not work."
The argument Of the senator seems to call for more
and better impeactments. The facts he advances may
however bear testimony to the wisdom of presidents in
selecting high appointive officials Of the government
and to the senate in permitting these appointments to
be made. Furthermore If official of the government
is actually guilty Of dishonest practices, he may be
tried in the courts other citizens tried There
have been officials Of the government forced out OF Of
flee by the president of the United States because of in
efficiency worse.
If Senator Binghams proposal adopted might it
not lead to long series OF political impeachment pro-
CeeUQSS UIOuSut py SUOuB EIOdp VI
ton senators in order to ebarrass the admntstra-
ton? If it is difficult Senator Bingham contends
to start impeachment proceedings against officials OF
the government because Of the loyalty Of the house TO
president might it not be far too easy to start i'm
peachment proceedings when the senate is in rage
against the administration as it frequently is? Would
not such plan tend to break down orderly govern
ment and also might it not be exceedingly unfair 10
officials Of the government who happen to come under
the displeasure Of a majority OF the senate
Senator Bingham has included in his proposal q new
court to try impeachment He would have in the
event impeachment Is started In the senate. court
composed Of ten senior members of each political party,
and four senior members Of the supreme court and the
chief justice vice president presiding officer
the impeachment proceedings arose in the house. then
the court would be composed Of ten senators from each
political party plus the members Of the supreme court
In this way Senator Bingham believes 1t would be pos
sibe to obtain fair trial. leaving the balance Of power
in the hands of the members Of the supreme court The
trial the impeachment has been launched but in
the tendency that may arise to bring frequent mpeacn
ment proceedings for political reasons primarily.
The Connecticut senator reason Tor putting 1Or-
ward his proposal 1t this time. cites the case OF Dr.
George Otis Smith, chairman Of the federal power COM
mission. The senate Mr.. Bingham contends, seeking
to impeach Dr. Smith because Of act he performed
after he appointed chairman and took Office IS
acting by indirection because 1t cannot act directly
The case Senator Bingham cites however, . strongly
political effort to get rid Of governmental official
BY the senate because that official acted contrary to the
desires Of majority Of the senate not because OF NAL
feasance In office II the senate Is to be allowed 10
bring impeachment proceedings whenever It wishes 70
attack official Of the administration there may be
no end 70 the thing Furthermore officials wilkbecomc
more and more suhseryient 70 the senate. -