History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by the House of Representatives, and his trial by the Senate for high crimes and misdemeanors in office, 1868Ross, Edmund G. (Edmund Gibson)
History
History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by the House of Representatives, and his trial by the Senate for high crimes and misdemeanors in office, 1868
Ross, Edmund G. (Edmund Gibson)
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875 -- Impeachment
The supposably strongest count of the indictment having been beaten,
it was apparent that it would be folly to hazard a vote on any other
at that time. There was a possibility that changes might occur in the
personnel of the Senate in the interim. As but one article had been
put to vote, and as that was beaten by the lack of a single vote, there
seemed a further possibility that influences could be brought to bear,
through the industry of the House, as was very soon after developed, to
secure the support of an anti-impeaching Senator on at least one of the
articles of impeachment yet to be voted upon. A vacancy in the ranks of
the anti-impeaching Republicans to be filled by an impeaching appointee
might happen. Many contingencies were possible during the next ten days
for a reversal of the action of the Senate just had. At all events,
everything would be hazarded by permitting further immediate action,
while the situation could be rendered no worse by delay, and time and
other mollifying conditions and influences might bring changes more
promising of success.
The anti-impeachment Republicans had not long to wait for the
development of the purpose of the recess, at least so far its supporters
in the House were concerned. Immediately upon the adjournment of the
Senate, the House re-assembled, and the following proceeding was had:
Mr. Bingham: I have been directed by the Managers on the part of the
House of Representatives, in the matter of the Impeachment of
Andrew Johnson, to report the following preamble and resolutions for
consideration at this time:
Whereas, information has come to the Managers which seems to them to
furnish probable cause to believe that improper or corrupt means have
been used to influence the determination of the Senate upon the Articles
of Impeachment submitted to the Senate by the House of Representatives
against the President of the United States; therefore.
Be it Resolved, That for the further and more efficient prosecution
of the Impeachment of the President, the Managers be directed and
instructed to summon and examine witnesses under oath, to send for
persons and papers, and employ a stenographer, and appoint sub-committee
to take testimony; the expense thereof to be paid from the Contingent
Fund of the House.
This resolution was immediately and without debate adopted by a vote of
88 to 14. It would be stating it mildly to say that the House was in a
tumult. The Republican leaders were wild with rage. They had selected
for the first vote what they deemed the strongest point in their
indictment, and lost; and their vengeance now turned upon those
Republican Senators who had failed to support them. Hence the
adjournment of the Senate for ten days to afford them time to discipline
the recusants and force an additional vote for conviction on the next
ballot.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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