The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
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News Article
Harper's Weekly,
March 21, 1868, page 179

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APATHY OF CONGRESS
Our correspondents and artist at Washington unite in describing the serious and earnest composure of both Houses in acting upon the subject of impeachment, and the notable absence, whenever impeachment is discussed, of all the apathy and levity which is usual on other occasions. On almost all other questions, even that of Reconstruction, the House displays its want of interest; the halls become deserted or grow noisy; but when Impeachment is talked of—pro or con—it is only the lobbies which are empty. An amusing scene which illustrates the apathy of members on other and minor questions is given by our artist on page 180. It occurred on February 26, while the House of Representatives was discussing the Indian Appropriation Bill. Mr. John W. Chanler, of New York, had the floor, and, standing at one of the desks in the front row, spoke for half an hour as interestingly as one can speak on such a dry subject. Mr. A. G. Burn, of Illinois, sat, or rather reclined, in the adjacent seat, and so near that the sweep of Mr. Chanler’s hand, in gesticulating, passed very close to Mr. Burr’s nose. One would naturally suppose that a loud, shrill voice, such as Mr. Chanler possesses, would at least have kept Mr. Burr awake. But the very reverse was the case. Mr. Chanler had been speaking and gesticulating very earnestly for less than five minutes, when Mr. Burr stretched both legs upon his desk, slid down in his chair until his head rested on the cushions of the back, and calmly slept until Impeachment came up as the unexpired business, when he instantly awoke, as the Reporters’ Gallery has it, with "Mr. Chairman" on his lips!


SCENE IN THE HOUSE – APATHY OF THE MEMBERS
March 21, 1868 page 180

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