Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
On January 7, 1868, the Senate passed a resolution of non-concurrence with Stanton's dismissal. Believing the Tenure of Office Act unconstitutional, Johnson ignored their reinstatement of Stanton until, on January 28, Grant (who did not enjoy politics and resented Johnson's exploitation of his celebrity) sent the president his notice of resignation, effectively returning the office to Stanton. Johnson's second choice for the position was General William Tecumseh Sherman, an enemy of Stanton's, who turned the President down saying he hated politics. Johnson then offered the post to Lorenzo Thomas, who first turned it down, saying that he would like to stay in office as Adjutant General until his retirement. Johnson prevailed, however, and on February 21, 1868 the President appointed Lorenzo Thomas Secretary of War ad interim and ordered the removal of Stanton from office. Thomas personally delivered the President's dismissal notice to Stanton, but the Secretary refused to accept its legitimacy or to vacate the premises. Instead, Stanton had barricaded himself in his office and ordered Thomas arrested for violating the Tenure of Office. Thomas asked if he could be brought to the White House to let the President know that he had been placed under arrest. When Stanton realized, however, that the arrest would allow the courts to review the law, he had the charges dropped. Stanton then claimed that Johnson had broken the recently instituted Tenure of Office Act by removing a cabinet member without Senate approval. On February 24, three days after Johnson's dismissal of Stanton, the House of Representatives voted 126 to 47 in favor of a resolution to impeach the President of high crimes and misdemeanors. The two sponsors of the resolution, Thaddeus Stevens and John A. Bingham were immediately dispatched to inform the Senate that the House had officially voted for impeachment. One week later, the House adopted eleven articles of impeachment against the president. On all three occasions, thirty-five Senators voted "guilty" and nineteen "non-guilty". As the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority for conviction in impeachment trials, Johnson was thus acquitted. Just one changed vote to guilty would have sufficed for a "guilty" verdict. This rare pass, dated one day after the Senate passed a resolution of non-concurrence with Stanton's dismissal, reads in full: "Dear Keeper Reporters Gallery H. Reps. Admit De B. Randolph Keim correspondent of the New York Evening Telegram to any unoccupied seat in the Gallery during the 2nd Session of the 40thCongress" Signed boldly, "Schulyler Colfax, Speaker H. Reps., Jan 8, 1868". Keim was able to witness the very beginnings of the Impeachment process, with this pass allowing him to have a seat for the entire 2nd session of the 40th Congress and the subsequent Impeachment Trial and the President's acquittal. An exceedingly rare piece of Presidential history. The pass, written and signed by Speaker of the House Schulyer Colfax, measures 2" x 3 3/8". Has some light discoloration at the top left, some light remnants on the verso from being in an album, overall fine. Comes with a period engraving of Colfax. Of an historical note Keim was also a witness to the assassination of President William McKinley in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1901.
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