Year: 1876

REPORT OF THE MANAGERS PRESENTED TO THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, -sPRECHEs By
MIR. HoAR AND MR. LApHAM.


WASHINGTON, August 2, 1874


In the House Of Representatives to-day M Lord OF
New York, on behalf Of the impeachment managers,
submitted the following report


The managers on the part OF the House TO conduct
the impeachment against William W. Belknap, late
Secretary of War, respectfully report that the de-
fendant William W. Beknap has been acquitted on the
articles presented against him. less than twothrds OF
the Sc senators present voting guilty The anal vote
twenty three mot guilty." For want OF jurisdc-
tion-one mot guilty. and one criticised portion Of
offences charged in other OF the articles not
proven beyond reasonable doubt The question OF
The frs. point presented to the Court Of Impeachmen


Amer q protractcd and exhaustive argument the
court held that It had jurisdiction, notwthstanding
the resignation Of the defendant and the managers
proceeded to prove the offences charged In the articles
OF impeachment; and after proving them SO conciu-
sivcy that only two Senators in any manner ques-
toned the guilt Of the defendant tho minority OF the
Senate refused to be governed by the deliberate judg
ment the majority that had jurisdiction and in
the form and mode before referred to prevented
the conviction OF the defendant. While exer-
practically asserted that there to the
proposition, and, therefore that Senators had no legal
right TO vote guilty" however satisfied OF the guilt OF
the accused. Notwithstanding this result the nanag.
believe that great good will accrue from the i'm
parchment and trial OF the defendant It has been





under the Uned States impcachabe, and that the
Senate has Jurisdiction to try them, although years
may eapse before the discovery Of tho offence or Of Of
the civil officers OF the United States
who have higher plane Of integrity than the ruo
that honesiy is the best policy. and is conceded
they are comparatively few, this decision will be
constant warning that impcachablc offences.
though not discovered for years, may result IN
impeachment conviction and public disgrace.
TO settle this principle, SO m vsa'y import +,
officers referred to, is worth infinitely more than all
the tme labor and expense of tho rrotractod trial
closed by the verdict Of yesterday The trial and its
discussions have presented TO the public mind clearer
views OF official accountability aud developed the high.
or requirements of an advancing public sentiment


All OF which Is respectfully submitted.


The report was ordered printed.


SPEECH HoAR.


Mr. HOAR. OF Massachusetts, supported the report OF
the managers He said that an investigation into the
parliamentary history OF impeachment would satisfy
everybody that the right to impeach any executive off,
Ger, long that person lived whether IN out OF
Office. was one of the greatest safeguards OF pure
constitutional popular government He went
to say"Whatever may be the result OF this trial to
the individual who has been impeached at the bar OF
the senotc whatever may be tue vane to him OF pre-
serving the right to DO candidate public office be-
fore his fellow citizens, this great constitutional power
of this House has been vndicated ana preserved by
the decision Of the great constitutional court
before which the charge was made and will
he sustained by that more powerful, moro per-
mancnt august decision, the opinion Of the
American people. have been in position to know
py very extensive personal correspondence and
versatOn the OPINION oil large numbers OF the lIristS
Of the country, who not engaged life, and,
without exception the judgment OF the profession
Of law Of the Bench and Of the Bar correspond with
the judgment OF the House. believe that The effect of
the decision will be that there will not be in the
history OF this country for years TO come repetition
OF such offence on the part OF Cabinet or other
high executive officer, and believe that this Aouse,
without distinction o. party will be grateful TO the per-
who have set In motion The mechanism for pun
ishing this offence.


STRIKING


Mr. LAPHAM of New York, another OF the impeach-
mani - nm fnP frOul INV
desire purpose question the integrity action of
any Senator In voting the question OF guilty not
guilty In the OF Mr. Beknap but DESIRE in view
OF the extraordinary position taken by tho Sen
stors who voted not guilty, to call attention
in this case. On the 7ih Of June last,
the Senate alter hearing the discussion tho part OF
the counsel retired in secret for the purpose OF con-
sultation. and Unanimously, SO far can learn-for
hcro no dissent apparent in the record--agreed on
the order that on the 9th OF July, 1876 the Senate
would proceed TO hear evidence on the merits. In
pursuance OF that order the Senate, on the 9th OF
July, entered the trial. and the Senators
who have at last voted mot guilty. we're present and
participated in the proceedings yoted on questions OF
reception OF evidence heard arguments OF counsel and
last. when the final vote Is taken, they occupy
the mo- anomalous position of saying, 'All this is
judice and void. Wo have no right 10 act,
have Jurisdiction to take evidence, and, there
fors, we vote Not guilty." To my mind that IS
seqaitur. / think that the position taken by
the senator from Florida (Mr Jones), that while he
at all on the question of gut or innocence,
much consistent for Senators to have taken.
Having called the OF tho House. and through
the House the country to the position assumed by tho
minority who have voted on the question, have dts
charged the only duty which seems ncumb ent on me