BY DAYID OVER.
STATEMENT AND REPORT OF WILLIAM
LEARY, Steward of the Poor and House of
Employment of Bedford County, from Ist of Jan
uary, A. D., 1859, till Ist of January, A. D., 1860.
1859. DR. Dolls. Cts.
To balance on settlement, 23 74 #
Cash from Wm. M speaker for corn, 75
John J. Luthei, " 44
Wm. Schaffer, " 874
D. Gardner, " 43
J. Horton, " 1 '6
D. Wasliabaua-h, " 8<
Isaac Mcngel, " 87
Wm. Boher, " 87|
K. Montgomery, " 43
V. Fredrick, " 5 624
Rev. Thoß. Heyden, " 1 75
J. Smith, " 1 75
Mrs. Brown, " 43
G. Wilson, " ? 31
J. Bollinger, " 1 81
K. Montgomery, " T 81
J. Hall, "
R. Gates. " 874
C. Herring for flour. 87|
J. Hall, for corn, 87|
G Stodenour, " 50
James Davis, " 1 50
C. Herring, " 50
Wm. Schaffer, " 1 60
G. W. Rupp, " 871
Sundry persons, " 10 20 4
Wm. Thompson, " 871
J. Kelgliart, " I 75
C. Heiring, " 1 80
P. Little, rye, ag, 874
R, Gates, corn, 43
J. Wilson, rye flour, J 00
J. Border, rye, 1 25
Jno. llafer, corn, 1 75
D. Stivers, " 2 62|
Rev. S. Yinglmg, " 1 56
A. J. Sansoiu, rye, " 2 50
J. C. Kisor, " 1 25
Wm. Bowles, cow pasture, 3 00
Jno. Cessna, lye chop, 4 37|
S9O 044
OR.
By amount pai l Jno. Mowry, for lard, 2 76
Mrs. Irvine and W. Herring, toll, 1 624
Bringing pauper from New Grenada, 3 124
T/Davis, shearing sheep, 2 94
Isaac Dichl, potatoes, 6 0"
S. J. Way, express freight, <5
S- Smith, ftroom, 314
Jno. G. Minnicli, vinegar, 574
11. Barley, beef', I 124
D. Shuck, lish, 75
Mrs. Bowles, undershirts for pauper, 1 00
P. (_). Stamps, 25
Jno. Mulnix, straw, 25
J. T. Gephart, " 75
Josiab Edwards, altering stock, 90
C. Colfelt, timber, 5 50
T. Davis, bran, 374
T. Bruce, making r uh, I 00
D. Dibert, flour, 7 00
I. Mengel, lumber, 25
Jos. Beegle, seed potatoes, 874
F. Mencli, trimming grape vine, 1 (X)
P. Clark, home made thread, 60
Mrs. Wallace, hops, 1 124
T. Bruce, making rails, 2 00
H. Schaffer, potatoes, 7 50
Jl. Beegle, straw and oats, 2 121
D. Shuce, liuic, 50
O. Herring, vinegar, 25
Jno. Hater, whiskey, 1 00
A. Mowry, upsetting axe, 25
M. Dield, straw, 1 38
S. D. Broad, medicine for A. White, pauper, 50
Sundry persons, dried fruit, 2 45
Jno. llafer, wine for Rosy Not man pauper, 25
C. Stoner, mutton, 1 00
I Earnest, hauling pauper to Bloody Run, 50
Jacob Seroler, coffin boards, 68
11. Mooie, rye, 2 20
J. L. Lessig, lime, 80
J. Rtmby, building oven, 5 On
J. Beegle, rye, 1 00
Esq. Oldham, issuing order, 50
D. Price, altering stock, 60
Joshua Mower, work, 50
Expenses to coal bank, 2 33
Mrs. Defibaugh, soap fat, 1 40
Mrs. Wallace, hops, 1 00
A. Bobbins, potatoes, 371
Expenses in hauliiM; coal, 1 50
G. Smith, balance on land, 1 25
H. Potter, halter, 25
D. Dibert, apples, 874
Expenses ID hauling coal, 1 50*
I Mengel, cherry board, 20
$Bl 79J
Balance, 8 24*
S9O 044
STATEMENT OR THE POOR HOUSE
MILL FROM JANUARY Ist. 1869, TILL
JANUARY Ist, 1860.
DR.
Amount of Toll Grain brought in by the Mill, as
per monthly reports,
w Q a
2 m o c
c? S* 3 £
* - 5"
<
ri
2864 246 61J 45
fir Bought ot
M. Ritehey, 28|
A. Schafer, 324
S. Imler, 13
H. Sill, 40
I. Imler, 2|
Leasure, 20
H. Moore, 10
B. Miller, 6
J. T. Gepbart, 15
J. Beegle, 12
H. Haikleroad, 6
S. lieighart, 21
H. Diehl, - 19|
465 3024 614 45
CR.
By amount of Grain used in Poor House and sold
to sundry persons for work done in tepairs to
Mill, heuse &c.
3 X O 53
2 vj © a
® -* 3 g
£
sr
i
rf
Amount used in Poor
House, 445 116 40J 20J
Horse fend, 1874
Beef and Hog feed, 10 11
Sold sundry persons. 4 31| 14| 2
449 294 66 224
Remaking in Mill, 16 8| 22*
465 3024 66 45
[There were also brought into the Mill, in tolls,
29 lbs. of mixture, of which 6J lbs. have been used
for feed, leaving 23| Ihs. in the Miff.]
A Weekly Paper, Devoted to Literature, Polities, the Arts, Sciences, Agriculture, &c., &c—Terms: One Dollar and Fifty Cents in Advance.
List of Paupers admitted, discharged, died, &c.,
Ac., during each month, and the number remaining
at the end of each month. Also the average num
ber supported in the House during the year, togeth
er with the number of out door paupers supported
by the Institution, from the Ist of Jan., 1859, till
Ist of Jan., 18G0.
Females
remaining
Males
remaining
Children
bound out
Births
Deaths
Escaped
Discha'gd
Admitted
1859.
January 4 12 31 24
February 2 2 32 23
March 13 31 22
April 3 2 2 1 30 24
May 5 3 2 1 31 24
June 3 3 1 31 28
July 3 1 27 23
August I 1 27 22
November 2 28 22
September 2 1 2 27 22
October 2 25 22
December 1 1 22 23
22 18 214 2 831 274
Making an average of 50 per month, of whom 2
are colored. There are also 3 who are blind, 10 in
sane. 5 confined to bod. There are also 2 out door
paupers who are not included in the above, 767
wayfaring paupers were provided with hoard, lodg
ing 4rC., of whom 458 weie Germans, 207 Irishmen,
68 Americans, 17 Englishmen, 8 Frenchmen, 8
Scotchmen, 3 Italians, 2 WVlehmen, and 1 African.
STATEMENT of the produce of the Farm and
Garden from Jan. Ist, 1859, till Jan. Ist, 1860.
308 Bushels Ears of corn
165 " Oats
20 " Buckwheat
312 " Eotatoes
18 Tons Hay
12 Loads Comfodder
2 " Pumpkins
20 Bushels Turnips
18 " Onions
2 " do Small
10 " Tomatoes
4 " Beans
20 " Beets
21'K) Heads Cabbage
2 Barrels Cucumber Pickles
17 " Soft Soap
20 Pounds Hard "
147 " Wool
388 •< Veal
1541 Beef
3586 •" Pork
544 " Lard
128 " Tallow
190 " Butter
6 Calf Skins j
3 Beef Hides
LIVE STOCK ON FARM.
2 Head of Horses 7 Cows
2 Heifers 54 Sheep
3 Brood Sows 23 Slioats
FEED FOR STOCK.
10 Tons flay 1 Load Cornfodder
2 Loads Short Straw 75 Bun. long Straw
50 Bushels Oats 10 Bus. Ears Corn
32 Bus. Rye
Articles manufactured in House by matron. 45
shirts, 21 women's dresses, 13 children's dresses 17
chiraises, 16 woman's saeks, 5 round jackets, 15
sheets, 21 pr. men's pants, 19 pair of men's socks,
5 pr. n.en's drawers, 1 men's vest, 14 women's
stockings, 15 shrouds, 17 women's aprons, 9 bed
! ticks, 12 beisteis, 22 sheets, 2 quilted skirts, 11 com
forts, 10 pillow slips.
We, the undersigned. Directors of the Poor and
i House of Employment of Bedford County, do cer
tify that we have examined tne above account, state
ment and report of Wm. Leary, Steward of said
l'oor and House of Employment, from the Ist day
of January, 1659, till the Ist of January, 1860, and
lind the same correct.
As witness our hands, this Ist day of January,
1860.
JOHN AMOS, [SEAL.]
GEORGE SMOUSE, [SEAL.]
JOHN KEMERY, [SEAL.]
I ATTEST :
I Thomas R. Gettys, Jr.. Clerk.
March 30, 1800
To Pareuts and (iuardians,
THE
TISCAROItA FEMALE SMSTITITE.
rpHIS INSTITUTION is located at Acadeniia,
A Juniata county, Pa., 8 miles from the Penn'a
Railroad, at Patterson station, and 6 miles troin
the Perrysville station.
TERMS:
The Academic Year consists of two Sessions of
five months each. The Summer Session with which
the School opens, will commence on Tuesday, the
Ist day of May, 1860, and will close on Saturday,
the 29th September, 1860, and the Winter Session,
on Thursday the Ist day of November, 1860, and
close March 30th, 1861.
Board including Fuel, Light and Tuition in
the Primary and Collegiate Departments,
per term, payable in advance, $75 00
Washing, per dozen, 35
Lessons on Piano or Guitar,
according to length, sl6, S2O or $25 per Sess.
Use of Piano or Guitar, ac
cording to time, 4, 5 or 6 "
Drawing or Flower Painting 10 to 15 "
Ancient or Modern Lan
guages, each, 10 "
When fire is required in
Sleeping Rooms, each pu
pil, 8
Seats in Church Free.
Young ladies will be met at the above stations
and conveyed to the Institution, if a short notice
be given by letter, addressed to the Principal at
Acadeniia, Juniata county. For circulars or other
information address the Principal at the above
oflice. REV. W. G. E. AGNEW,
March 23, 1860.-2 m Principal.
Notice to Collectors.
"IyrOTICE is hereby given te the collectors of 1860
11 —that their duplicates must lie settled hy the
February Court of 1861. Those whose duplicates
are settled at that time will be allowed six.per cent
for collection, and all neglecting this notice will be
pushed immediately alter that time. By order of
the Commissioners. H. NICODEMUS,
March 9, 18G0.-C Clerk.
Caution.
ALL persons are cautioned agajnst purchasing a
Note given by Abraham Skelly and payable to
John L. Hill, for $125,00, dne on the Ist April
1861, as said Note has been pledged to the subscri
ber. GEORGE TROUTMAN.
Mareh 23,1860.
FRESH PIKE OIL for sale at
OSTER & CARNS.
Dec 3, 1859.
BEDFORD. PA.. FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1860.
The Engagement at Vera Cruz. 1
The Washington Constitution publishes the
following official despatches in relation to the
capture of Miramon's fleet before Vera Cruz:
[Copy of despatch from Lieut. Minor to the
secretary of the Navy.]
VIA NEW ORLEANS, 8. W. PASS, I
March 19, 1860. )
SIR Lieut. Chapmao left Vera Cruz on the
eleventh (lltb) inst., in command of the prize
steamer Marquiz, of Havana, as bearer of
dispatches to the Department from Capt. Jarvis;
but learning, ou my arrival here this morning,
that be bad not arrived, I deem it my duty to
forward the following report to you. On the
sth inst.. General Miratnun commenced the
siege of Vera Cruz, and on the 6th Gen. Marin
appeared before the city with this and another
steamer, and not showing bis colors, Comman
der Turner, in the Saratoga, with detachments
from the Savannah and Preble, iu steamers lo
dianola and Wave, was ordered to proceed to
the anchorage of the steamors, off Anton
Lizardo, and ascertain their character. Upon!
nearing them one of them wa9 seen to he
moving off; a shot was fired ahead of her to
bring her to, and the Indianola was scut to
overhaul her. The hail from the Indianola
was replied to by a fire from tho Gen. .Mira
mon's guns and a volley of musketry, when tho
Saratoga fired a broadside, and the action be
came general, resulting in the capture of both
of Mariu's steamers, with himself and a large
number of his men on board. Cap}. Jarvis
ordered both prizes to this port. The Preble
will be here in a few days, with Marin and
most of the prisoners on board, the rebf being
distributed between this steamer and the
Marquis, of Havana. Your despatch will'
reach me hero. Pioaso inform mo if this
reaches you. Shall this news be made public ?
Rcspctfully.
R. D. MINOR, Lieut. U. S. Navy, Command
ing Prize Steamer Gen. Miramon. Hon. I.
Toucey, Secretary of the Navy.
Copy of despatch from Lieut. Chapman to
Secretary of the Navv.]
VIA NEW ORLEANS, PASSEA I/OUTRE J
March 19, 1860. \
To Hon. I. Toucey, Secretary of the Navy :
I am bearer of dispatches to you from Capt.
Jarvis. The Saratoga has had an engagement
with two Mexican war steamers of thc Miraonqn
government. They are both captured.
I came in charge of one of the steamers';
the Preble accompanies the other with a ma
jority of the prisoners. Lo9S of life among
the crew only ; they fitod the first shot. I
will be in Washington as soon as possible.—
Engine of vessel commanded by uo broke
down at sea. By order of Capt. Jarvis, direct
ed to say that it is imprudent for any of the
ships at Vera Cruz to leave at this time, in the
state of feeling there.
It. T. CHAPMAN,
Lieut. U. S. Navy.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
To tho House of Representatives : After a
delay which has afforded mo ample time for re
flection, and after much and careful delibera
tion, 1 find myself constrained by an impel ious
sense of duty as % co-ordinate branch of the
Federal Government, to protest against the
first two clauses of the first resolution, which
was adopted by the House of Representatives
on the sth iust., aud published in the Con
gressional G/oie on the succeeding day. These
clauses are iu the following words:
"Resolved , That a Committee of five mem
bers bo appointed by the for the
pnpose : First, of investigating whether the
President of the United Stales, or any other
officer of the government, has by money, pats
ronage, or other improper means, sought to in
fluence the action of Congress, or any committee
thereof, for or agaiust the passage law
appertaining to the rights of any State or
territory, and, second, also to investigate
whether any officer or officers of tho govern
ment have, by combination or otherwise, pre
vented or defeated, or attempted to prevent or
defeat, the execution of any law or laws now
upon the statute book, and whether the Presi
dent has failed or refused to compel the execu
tion of any law thereof."
1 confine myself exclusively to these two
branches of the resolution, because the portions
of it which follow relate to allege 1 abuses iu
the post offices,navy yards,public buildings,and
other public works of the U. States. In such
cases inquiries are highly proper in themselves,
and belong equally to the Senate and House, an
inoident to their legislative duties, aud being
necessary to enable tbem to discover and pro
vide appropriate legislative remedies for any
abuses which may bo ascertained. Although
the terms of tho latter portion of the resolution
are extremely vague and general, yet my sole
purpose iu adverting to tbem at the present is
to mark the broad line of distinction between
the accusatory and the remedial clauses of this
resolution. The llouse of Representatives
possesses no power under the constitution over
the first or aucusatary portion of the resolution,
except as an impeaching body, whilst over the
last, in common with the Senate, their authority
as a legislative body is fully and cheerfully
admitted.
It is solely in roferonoe to tho first, or im
peaching power, that I propose to make a few
observations. •
Except in this single *case the Constitution
has invested the House of Representatives
with no power, no jurisdiction, no supremacy
whatever over tho President. la all other re
spects ho is quite as independent of tbem as
they are of him. As a co-ordiuate branch of
the government, be is their equal. Indeed,
he is the ODly direct representative on earth of
the people of all and each of the sovereign
States. To them and them alone ia he respon
sible, whilst acting within the sphere of his
constitutional duty, and not iu any wauner to
(be House of Representatives. The people
Iwtve thought proper to invost him with the I
B&st honorable, responsible and dignified office
in the world ; and the individual, however
nnworthy, now holding this exalted position,
will take care, so far as in him lies, that their
rights and prerogatives shall never be violated
in his person, but shall pass to his successors
unimpaired by the adoption of a dangerous
precedent, lie wiil defend them to the last j
extremity against any unconstitutional attempt,
come from what quarter it may, to abridge the 1
owistitutional rights of the executive, and
render him subservient to any human power j
: except themselves. The people have not con- '
( fined the President to the exercise of oxcoutive i
duties. They have also conferred upon him,
J/ffel a largo measure, legislative discretion. No
bill can become a law without his approval as
i representing tho people of the United States,
unless it shall pass after his veto by a majority
of two-thirds of both Houses, la this legis
| ktivo capacity he might, in common with the
(Senate and Houso of Representatives, iustitute
;n inquiry <o ascertain any facts which ought,
:fo influence his judgment in approving or
vetoing any bill. This participation in the
performance of legislative duties between co
ordinate branches of the government, ought to
i inspire tho conduct of all of them, iD their re
lations towards each other, with mutual for
bearance aod respect. At least, each has a
right to demand justice from the other. The
cause of complaint is that the constitutional
rights aud immunities of the Executive have
been violated in the person of the President.
The trial of an impeachment of tho President
before the Senate, on charges proferred and
prosecuted against him hy the House of Rep
resentatives, would be an imposing spectacle
for the world, la the result, not only bis re
moval from the Presidential office would be in
volved, but what is of infinitely greater impor
tance to himself, his character, both in the eyes
of the prrseut and of future generations,
might possibly be tarnished. The disgrace
| east upon him would, in some degree, be re
flected upon the character of the American
people who elected him. Hence tho precau
tions adopted hy the Constitution to secure a
fair trial. Un such a trial, it declares that
the Chief Justice shall preside. This was
doubtless because the framers of the Consti
i. tution believed it to be possible that the Vice
i President might bo biased by the fact that, in
case of a removal of the President from office,
the same shall devolve on the Vice President.
The preliminary proceedings in the House in
! the case of charges which may involve iin
! pcachment, have imcn well and wisely settled,
by long practice, upon principles of equal
justice, both to the accused an ! to tii people,
i The precedent established in tho case of Judge
Peck, of Missouri, in 1831, after a careful re
view of all former precedents, will, I venture
to predict, stand the test of time. In that
test, Luke Edward Lawless, the accuser, prc
i-ented a petition to the He-use, iu which ho set
forth, uiiuutoly and specifically, his causes of
complaint. lie prayed that tho conduct an-l
proceedings in behalf of the said Judge Peck
may bo inquired into by your honorable body,
and such decision made thereon as your wis
dom and justice shall seem proper. This pe
tition was referred to the Judiciary Committee,
aud such has ever been deemed the appropri
i ate committee to make similar investigations.
It is a standing committee, supposed to be ap
pointed without reference to any special case,
and at all times is presumed to be composed of
j the most eminent lawyers in the House from
different portions of the Union, whose uc
| quaintauoo with judicial proceedings, and whose
j habits of investigation qualify them peculiarly
! for the task. No tribunal, from their position
aud character, could, in the nature of things,
be more impartial. Iu the case of Judge Peck
the witnesses were selected by the Committee
itself, with tho view to ascertain the truth of
the charge.
They were cross examined by him, and eve
rything was couductcd in such a manner as to
afford biiu no reasonable cause of complaiut.
In view of this precedent, and what is of
far greater importance, in viow ol tha Con
stitution aud principles of eternal justice, iu
what manner has the Presideut of the United
States been treated by the House of Repre
sentatives? Mr. John Covode, a representa
tive from Pennsylvania, is the accuser of the
President. Instead of following tho wise pre
cedents of former times, and especially that in
the case of Judge Peck, and referring the ac
cusation to the Committee on the Judiciary,
the House have made my accuser one of my
judges.
To make the aoeuscr the judge is a violation
of principles of universal justice, and is con
demned by tho practice of all civilized nations.
Every freeman must revolt at such a spectacle.
lam to appear before Mr. Covode, either per
sonally or by a substitute, to cross examine
the witnesses which ho may produce before
himself, 10 sustain his own aoousatioos against
me. And perhaps eveu this poor boon may be
denied to the President. And what is the na
ture of the investigation which his resolution
proposes to institute 1 It is as vague and gen
eral as the English languago affords words ia
which to make it. The eouiuuttoo is to inquire
not into any specific charge or charges, but
whether the President has, by "money, patron
. age, or other improper nicaua sought to influ
i euce," uot the aciion of any individual mem
ber of Congress, but "the action (of tho entire
body) of Congress itself, or any committee
. thereof." The President might have had some
i glimmering of the nature of the offence to be
! investigated, had his accuser pointed to the
act or acts of Congress which he sought to
pass or to defeat by the employment of "mon
ey, patronage or other improper means." But
the acousatiou is bound by no such limits. It
extends to the whole cirole of legislation; to
the inference 'for or against the passage of any
law appertaining to the rights of any State or i
territory? And what laws has the President
failed to execute?" These might easily have
been pointed out, bad any such existed. Had
Mr. Lawless asked an inquiry to be made by
the House, whether Judge Peck, in general
terms, bad not violated his jndicial duties,
without the specification of any particular act,
Ido not believe there would have been a sin
gle vote in that body in favor of the inquiry.
Since tho time of the Star Chamber, and of
general warrants, there has been no such pro
ceeding in England. The House of Repre
sentatives, the high impeaching power of the
country, without consenting to hear a word of
explanation, have endoraed this accusation
against the President, and made it their awn
act. They even refused to permit a member
to inquire of the President's accuser, what
were the specific charges against him. Thus,
in this preliminary accusation ot "high crimes
and misdemeanors" against a co-ordinate
branch of the government, under the impeach
ing power, the Houso refused to bear a single
suggestion, eveu in regard to the correct mode
of proceeding, but, without a moment's delay,
passed the accusatory resolution nnder the
pressure of the previous question.
In the institution of a prosecution for any
offence against the most humble citizen—and
I claim for myself no greater rights thua he
enjoys—the Constitution of the U. 8. and of
tho several States require that he shall he in
formed, in the very begiauing, of the nature
and cause <*f the accusation against him, iu or
der to prepare for his defence. There arc
other principles which I might enumerate, uot
less sacred, presenting an impenetrable shield
to p.'otect every citizen falsely charged with a
criminal offence. These have been violated in
the -jrosecutioD instituted by tho House of
Representatives against the executive branch
of the government. Shall the Presideut alone
be deprived of the protection of these great
principles, which prevail in 07ery land where a
ray of li!>erty penetrates the gloom of despot
ism? Shall the Executive alone bo deprived
of rights which all his fellow citizens enjoy?—
The whole proceeding against hitu justifies the
fears of those wise and great tnen who, be
fore tho Constitution was adopted by the
States, apprehended that the tendency of the
government was to the aggrandizement of tho
legislative at the expense of the Executive and
judicial departments.
I again declare emphatically, that I make
this protest for no reason personal to myself,
and Ido it with perfect respect fur the House
of Representative?!, in which I had the honor of
serving as a member for five successive terms.
I have lived long in this goodly land, and have
enjoyed ail the offices and honors which my
country could bestow. Amid all the political
storms thiough which I have passed, the pres
ent is the first attempt which has ever been made
to my knowledge, to assail my personal or offi
cial integrity, and this as the time is approach
ing when I shall voluntarily retire from the ser
vice of my country. I feel proudly conscious
that there is no public act of my life which will
not bear tho strictest scrutiny. I defy all in;
vceiigation. Nothing but the basest perjury
can sully my good name. Ido uot fear even
this, because I cherish an bumble confidence
that the gracious Being who has hitherto de
fended and protected me against the shafts of
falsehood and malice, will not desert me now,
when I have become old and greyheaded. I can
declare before God and my country that no hu
man being, with an exception scarcely worthy
of notice, has, at any period ot my life, dared
to approach me with a corrupt or dishonorable
proposition; and until the receut developments,
it had never entered into my head that any per
son, even in (he storm of exasperated political
excitement, would charge me, in tho most re
mote degree, with having made such a proposi
tion to aoy human being. 1 may now, however,
exclaim, in the language of my first and great
est predecessor, that "I have been abused" in
such exaggerated and indecent terms as could
soarcely be applied to a Nero, to a notorious
defaulter, or even to a common pickpocket.
I do therefore, for the reasons stated aod in
the nuiue of the people of the several States,
solemnly protest against these proceedings of
the House of Representatives—because they
are iD violation of the rights of a co-ordinate
executive branch of the government, and sub
versive of its constitutional independence; be
cause they are calculated to foster a laud of
interested parasites and informers, ever ready,
for their own advantage, to swear before 6X
parto committees to pretended private conversa
tions botweeu the President aDd themselves—
incapable, from their nature, of being disproved
thus furnishing material for harrassing him, de
grading hint, in the the oonntry, and
eventually, should he be a weak or tituid man,
rendoriDg him subservient toimproperinfluenees.
In order to avoid such prosecutions and annoy
ances, because they tend to destroy that har
monious action for the common good which
ought to be maintained, and which I sincerely
desire to cherish between co-ordinate branches
ol the government; and finally, because, if un
resisted they'would establish a precedent dan
gerous and embarrassing to all uiy successors,
to whatever political party they might bo attach
ed.
(Signed)' JAME BUCHANAN.
Washington, March 28, 18G0.
DEB ATS UPON TEE MESBAOE.
Mr. Sherman, of Ohto, t said the President
has made, for the first time, an issue with this
House on a most important power. He was
willing to give to the communication the con
sideration which its gravity demands. He was
williug that the House should go into committee,
and consider whether they have the power to
investigate anything done in the execntive
branch of the government.
The constitution declaics that the President,
Vice President, and others, on conviotiou of
treason, bribery, and other high orimes, shall
VOL. 33, NO. 15.
j be removed from office, and another clause de
clares that the House shall have the sole power
of impeachment. Under these clauses the
House has the right to inquire into anything
whether affecting even cne of the little pages
. here, or the President. The President, bow-
I ever, says the House can only make inquiry
' into his official conduct by impeachment, but
\ how can it be ascertained whether the Presi
dent has violated bis duties, unless it be by an
examination. Theio is no other way. Would
! tho President have thcui found articles of im
! pcachment on mere rumor? No! The very ue
' cessity of the case implies that the House haw
' the power, should there be probable cause, then
they could prefer articles of impeachment.--'
Every session they examine into the conduct of
same officer or number. What distinction was
there between a member and the President as
• to their constitutional rights, that should induce
them to make an exception in favor of the Prcs
; identl The doctrine avowed by him was the
' same that prevailed in England when Charles
the First was brought to the block, namely,
! "the King can do no wrong." Thosauie that
: led to the death of Loais the Sixteenth. The
j dootrino of the Presidont was the worst that
had been intimated since the foundation of
: this government.
Mr. 'Jraige, of North Carolina said that the
President does not deny the power, and there
fore the argument of the gentleman falls to the
I ground. The President admits the right of the
House to impeach, but denies that his accuser
(Mr. Uovode) shall sic ou the case. He would
not sit quiet and permit the allegation to go
uucautradicted:
j Cries of "order," from the Republican side.
Mr. Oraige—He objects to the mode.
I Mr. Sherman—By what other mode can tho.
charges be investigated.
Mr. CraiGe —liefer it to the Committee on
the Judiciary, as heretofore in such eases.
Mr. Sherman—Why should the President
tell us how to refer the subject? We can re
fer it as we choose, aud the President has no
right to say nay. We appoint gentlemen to
examiuc into the truth of the allegations, so
they may ascertain whether they are well
fouuded. As the President has entered bis
protest, 1 am williug that the J IOUJO shall ac
cept the challenge. I move that the ineaaaro
be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary,
with leave to report at any time, by bill, reso
lution or otherwise.
Mr. Boeoek, of Virginis, said that inasmuch
as he had asked that the message be -taken np
for consideration, the usual courtesy should,
have be en extended to him to make the motion
concerning its disposition. Me knew the
speaker was not aware of the usual custom,
but the member from Ohio (Mr. Sherman)
knew belter, lie iutended to submit the very
few remarks he bad to make in a spirit of
calmness. It was an important matter, calcu
lated to create diacumoa throughout the
country. It was a grave, able and important
message, and ho hoped gentlemen would coinc
to its consideration in a manner worthy of
the occasion. The President does not object
to &u inquiry concerning his conduct, but asks
to be treated as the humblest individual would
be under allegations of any character, and the
charges agaiuat the President were vague and
indefinite. When Mr. Covode offered his res
olutions he found himself iu an embarassing
position, and did not vote for the reasons
shadowed forth.
Mr. Campbell, of Pennsylvania, said a
grand jury have the power not only to found
an indictment on specific charges, but unlimit
ed power to make a presentment to the court
on all matters, which come to their knowledge.
Mr. Bocook replied—The proposition wa3
that a grand juror can act as a witness if he
knows of a criminal act, but cannot in Penn
sylvania call up a witness and ask him whether
he knows of any wrong of any particular per?
son. You must call attention to some wrong
before you cau force hiui to testify. He re
peated that Ihe honor and dignity of the ooun
try demand that you ought to extend to the
Presideut the same fair dealing that you
would to the humblest individual.
Mr. Covode explained that in hie. resolution
he did uot make the charge. The President
himself made it in bis centennial Pittsburg cel
ebration letter, whou he said that money was
used for the purpose of carrying the elections
in Pennsylvania. He (Mr. Covode) had mere
ly stepped forward to see who used the money.
Mr. Crow agreed with Mr. Bocock, that was
a matter of cousequence, as it pertained to the
rights of a co-ordiuato branch of the govern
■ut. If the House proposed to impeach by
any committee, the President would be right iu
his conclusions. The House must prefer the
articles of impeachment and the Senate must
try the case, hut an inquiry as to what iafluenoe
had been used to effect the legislation of the
country, of couise carries with it no impeach
ment. Your committee should ascertain whether
the President was guilty of a violation of duty.
Suppose that was the case. Your committee
would simply report the fact.
Mr. Whitely, of Delaware, asked the gentle"
man whether be was willing to investigate the
conduct of the President without speoitia
charges.
Mr. Florence of Pennsylvania. That is what
the President objeots to. (Laughter from the
Republican side.) He oomplains that you will
not extend to him the couitesjr you would to a
common pickpocket.
Mr. Covode repeated that the President him
self made the charge. Tbe testimony on a
previous oooasion induced the belief that the
President's party in Pennsylvania used money
to affect the elections. The Presideut banded
over a letter to the Secrotary of the Navy for
that purpose. Could they not investigate, and
asoertain in what districts the money was
used.
Mr. Brobßoa, of Tennessee, said tagf could
not understand the message until they hud an