ARTICLE 26. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS 9 15 4 § 260. By Impeachment.' By the Constitutions of many States, every civil State Officer may be impeached.2 So, in Kansas, all officers under the Constitution.3 All "executive" officers; * the governor; lieutenant-governor; 8 secretary of State; treasurer of the State; 8 the council; the auditor; 10 the comptroller;" the attorney-general; 12 all attorneys for the State; 13 the superintendent of education; the commissioner of public lands; 16 the railroad commissioners; 16 the surveyor-general; 17 all judicial officers or judges; 18 all judges of the supreme courts; 19 all judges of the superior courts; 20 all judges of the criminal court; all judges of the Court of Appeal;22 all chancellors.28 Any such officer may be impeached within two years after his term of office expired. The Constitution forbids impeachment of public officers.25 21 24 § 261. The Causes of Impeachment are in many States, crime. Thus in detail (for citations, see also in § 260): Crime (generally).20 Misdemeanors (generally)."7 1 The right of impeachment by the Commons, to be tried by the Lords, existed from early times, in England, but lay dormant from 1449 to 1621 (T.-L. 409). 2 Ark. 15, 1; Col. 13, 2; Del. 6, 2; Ill. 5, 15; Ind. 6, 7; Io. 3, 20; Ky. 68; Mass. 2, 1, 2, 8; Me. 9, 5; Mich. 12, 1; Miss. 50; Mon. 5, 17; N. D. 196; Neb. 5, 5; Nev. 7, 2; N. H. 2, 37; N. J. 5, 11; O. 2, 24; Okla. 8, 1; Pa. 6, 3; S. D. 16, 3; Utah 6, 19; Va. 54; Vt. 2, 24; Wash. 5, 2; W. Va. 4, 9; Wis. 7, 1; Wy. 3, 18. 3 Kan. 2, 28. S. C. Miss.; Ct. 9, 3; Fla.; R. I. 11, 3; Ala., Cal., Fla., La., Mo., Tex., Va. 7 Ala., Cal., Fla., La., Minn., Mo., Tenn. 10 Ala., La., Minn., Mo. Any high 12 Ala., Cal., La., Minn., Mo., Tex., Va. 13 Ark., Tenn. 14 Ala., La., Mo. 16 La. 17 Cal. 18 Col.; Ct.; La.; Md. 4, 4; Mon.; Nev.; N. D.; O.; R. I.; S. C.; S. D.; Tenn.; Utah; Va.; Wash.; Wy. 19 Ala., Ark., Cal., Fla., Io., Minn., Mo., Okla., Tenn., Tex. See $ 551. 20 Ark., Cal., Fla., Io., Minn., Mo., Tex. 21 Mo. 22 Tex. 25 Ore. 1, 19. 26 Ark., Col., Ind., La., Mich., Minn., Mo., Mon., N. D., S. D., Utah, Va., Wash., W. Va., Wis., Wy. It may now be regarded as settled that "high crimes and misdemeanors may include misconduct in office which does not in 8 Ala., Cal., La., Minn., Mo., Tenn., itself constitute a crime." (McClain, Tex. N. H. 2, 62. p. 61.) 27 Ark., Col., La., Mich., Minn., Mo., crime in office. Any misdemeanor in office. Any offence involving moral turpitude, committed while in office, or connected therewith.3 Treason. Bribery. Habitual drunkenness.® Habitual drunkenness. Drunkenness, at any time or place." "Gross immorality.” 8 In several, malfeasance or misconduct in office.10 Corruption in office." Or "favoritism." Extortion in office. 12 Oppression in office.13 Neglect of official duties." "Maladministration." 15 Incompetency.18 Incapacity, mental or physical.17 No causes are specified.18 19 $262. Process of Impeachment. - By the Constitutions of nearly all, the impeachment is first made by the House of Representatives. In most, a majority of a quorum seems to be sufficient for impeachment in the house as in ordinary votes (see § 304).20 But in a few, a majority of the members elected.21 In two, a vote of two thirds of the members present,22 or elected.23 And the impeachment is then, in all these States but two, tried by the Senate, sitting as a court, under oath. In many States, with the chief justice of the Supreme Court presiding (in cases of impeachment of the governor).25 24 Two thirds of the senators elected must, in many States, concur Mon., Utah, Va., Wash., W. Va., Wis., 6; Md. 3, 26; Me. 4, 1, 8; Mich. 12, Wy. Del., Miss., Tenn. 2 Cal., Fla., Del., Ill., Io., Kan., Ky., Me., Miss., N. D., Neb., Nev., O., Pa., S. D. 3 Ala., Okla. • Del., Miss. 5 Del.; Miss.; N. H. 2, 37. Ala., La., Mo., N. D., Okla. 7 Neb. 14, 3; S. D. 8 W. Va. Ark.; Col.; Io.; La.; Mass. 2, 1, 2, 8; Mo.; Mon.; N. D.; Nev.; N. H.; S. D.; Utah; Va.; Wash.; Wy. 10 Ala., La., Mich., Minn., N. D., N. H., Okla., S. D., Va., W. Va., Wis. 11 La. 12 La. 13 La., Mo. 14 Ala., Ind., Okla., Va., W. Va. 15 Mass.; N. H.; Va.; Vt. 2, 24; W. Va. 16 Ala., La., Okla., W. Va. 1 & 2; Minn. 4, 14; Miss. 49; Mo. 7, 2; Mon. 5, 16; N. C. 4, 4; N. D. 194; Nev. 7, 1; N. H. 2, 16; N. J. 6, 3, 1; N. Y. 6, 13; O. 2, 23; Okla. 8, 3; Pa. 6, 1; R. I. 11, 1; S. C. 15, 1; S. D. 16, 1; Tenn. 5, 1; Tex. 15, 1; Utah 6, 19; Va. 54; Vt. Amt. 25, 3; Wash. 5, 1; W. Va. 4, 9; Wis. 7, 1; Wy. 3, 17. 20 Ark., Cal., Ct., Ga., Ind., Io., Kan., Ky., Mass., Me., Mo., N. C., N. H., Tenn., Tex., W. Va. 21 Ala., Col., Ill., Md., Mich., Minn., Mon., N. D., Nev., N. J., N. Y., O., S. D., Utah, Wash., Wis., Wy. 22 Fla., Miss. 23 Del., Ind., R. I., S. C., Vt. 24 Ala.; Ark.; Cal.; Col.; Ct. 9, 2; Del.; Fla.; Ga. 3, 5, 3; Ida. 5, 3; Ill.; Ind.; Io.; Kan.; Ky. 67; La.; Mass. 2, 1, 2, 8; Md.; Me. 4, 2, 7; Mich.; Minn.; Miss.; Mo.; Mon.; N. C. 4, 3; N. D. 195; Nev.; N. H. 2, 37; N. J.; O.; Okla.; Pa. 6, 2; R. I. 11, 2; S. C. 15, 2; S. D. 16, 2; Tenn. 5, 2; Tex. 15, 2; Utah 6, 18; Va.; 19 Ala. 173; Ark. 15, 2; Cal. 4, 17; Vt. Amt. 7; Wash.; W. Va.; Wis.; Col. 13, 1; Ct. 9, 1; Del. 6, 1; Fla. 3, Wy. 29; 1897, p. 308; Ga. 3, 6, 3; Ida. 5, 4; Ill. 4, 24; Ind. 6, 7; Io. 3, 19; Kan. 2, 27; Ky. 66; La. 218; Mass. 2, 1, 3, 17 Ind. 18 S. C. 25 Ala.; Del.; Ida.; Mon.; N. D.; N. H. 2, 39; Okla.; S. D.; Utah; Wash.; Wy. to convict of the impeachment.1 In others, two thirds of the senators, &c., present. In four, a vote of a quorum, as in other cases (see § 304). But in Nebraska, the impeachment is first made by the Legislature in joint convention upon resolution in either house; and a majority of elected members must concur; and it is then tried by the judges of the Supreme Court. So, in New York, it is tried by the Senate and the judges of the Court of Appeals. § 263. The Effect of Impeachment is, by the Constitutions of all but Maryland and Oregon, merely to remove from office; and, in all these States except Rhode Island, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, and Oklahoma, to disqualify the person impeached from holding any other State office; and the person impeached, whether convicted or not on the impeachment, is nevertheless liable to indictment, trial, and punishment according to law. But in one State such disqualification only lasts during the term for which he was elected or appointed. In many, when an officer is impeached, he is at once suspended from his office until acquitted.' In Tennessee, the Legislature has no power to relieve the person impeached from the above penalties (and see also § 162). He cannot be again impeached for the same offence.9 8 10 § 265. Removal by Address. - Certain officers may, by the Constitutions of many States, be removed by the Legislature; thus, in many States, judges of the supreme or superior courts,' or all judicial officers." So, judges of the supreme court, and all other judicial officers, on recommendation of the governor, 1 Cal., Col., Del., Ida., Ill., Ind., Kan., La., Md., Mich., Mon., N. D., Nev., N. J., O., R. I., S. C., S. D., Utah, Wash., W. Va., Wy. 2 Ark.; Ct.; Fla.; Ga. 3, 5, 4; Io.; Ky.; La.; Me.; Minn.; Mo.; N. C.; N. Y.; Okla.; Pa.; Tenn.; Tex. 15, 3; Va.; Vt.; Wis. So in U. S. C. I. 3 (6). 3 Ala., Mass., Miss., N. H. • Neb. 3, 14. Ala. 176; Ark. 15, 1; Cal. 4, 18; Col. 13, 2; Ct. 9, 3; Del. 6, 2; Fla. 3, 29; Ga. 3, 5, 5; Ida. 5, 3; Ill. 4, 24; Io. 3, 20; Kan. 2, 28; Ky. 68; La. 218; Mass. 2, 1, 2, 8; Me. 4, 2, 7; Mich. 12, 2; Minn. 13, 1; Miss. 51; Mo. 7, 2; Mon. 5, 17; N. C. 4, 3; N. D.; Neb. 3, 14; Nev. 7. 2; N. H. 2, 38; N. J. 6, 3, 3; N. Y. 6, 3; O. 2, 24; Okla. 8, 5; Pa. 6, 3; R. I. 11, 3; S. C. 15, 3; S. D.; Tenn. 5, 4; Tex. 15, 4; 7 Fla.; La. 219; Mich. 12, 4; Minn. 13, 3; N. D. 198; Neb.; N. J. 6, 3, 2; N. Y.; R. I. 11, 2; S. D. 16, 5; Tex. 15, 5; Utah 6, 20; Wis. 7, 1. The principle that the power to pardon does not extend to impeachments is embodied in the Act of Settlement, but was claimed in Danby's case, 1679. N. D. 201; S. D. 16, 8. 10 Cal. 6, 10; Kan. 3, 15; Miss. 53; N. C. 4, 31; Nev. 7, 3; O. 4, 17; R. I. 10, 4; S. C. 15, 4; Va. 104; Wash, 4. 9; Wis. 7, 13; W. Va. 8, 18; Utah 8, 11. " Ill. 6, 30; Nev.; O.; Wash. 3 by vote of two thirds of the senate elected.1 All civil officers, or all executive officers. All officers not liable to impeachment may be removed as provided by law. In a few, a two-thirds vote of both houses elected is necessary, or a three-fourths vote. In others they are removed by a majority vote of elected members in joint committee, or by the governor (or governor and council), upon the address of both houses of the Legislature; thus: all judicial officers or judges; the judges of the supreme and superior courts; all State officers except members of the Legislature; 10 the auditor, treasurer, secretary of state, attorney-general, and chancellors; 11 the attorney-general.12 In one State, by the governor, on address of two thirds of the full senate, all officers elected by the people except members of the Legislature and judges.13 Minor judges, by the senate on address by the governor. 8 14 19 The Causes of Removal of officers under this section are by the Constitutions specified to be any reasonable cause, 15 misbehavior in office,18 any infamous crime,17 incompetence,18 neglect of duty,' age,20 mental or bodily infirmity,21 corruption in office,22 drunken23 if habitual.24 ness, § 266. Removal by the Governor. So, in many States, certain officers may be removed by the governor alone, as, namely: any officer whom he has power to appoint,25 all officers not legislative or judicial,20 judges,27 sheriffs,28 coroners,29 district attorneys,30 county Ark. 15, 3; Ct. 5, 3; Ky. 112, 129; W. Va. 7, 10. Ore. 7, 20. 10 Del. 3, 13; La. 220; Me. 9, 5; S. C. 11 Ark. 12 Ore.; Va. 107. 28 Mich. 12, 8. 27 Md. 4, 4. clerks,' registers of deeds, all public officers. In Florida by the governor, with the concurrence of the senate, all officers not liable to impeachment may be removed; in California by the senate on recommendation of the governor, judges of inferior courts.* He may suspend all executive State officers except the lieutenant-governor until the next session of the Legislature." He shall prosecute and suspend officers charged with embezzlement. The Causes of Removal under this section are specified to be: incompetency; malfeasance in office; misconduct; neglect of duty; 10 conviction in a court of law of incompetency, misbehavior, or neglect in office, or any crime (as to judges only);"1 gross immorality.12 § 267. Removal by the Courts. In a few states, certain officers may be removed by the judges of the supreme court. 15 14 Thus, judges of the superior court; 13 judicial officers; 11 all officers not liable to impeachment; any judge (except those mentioned in § 260); 16 any prosecuting attorney.17 By the judges of the superior courts: 18 Minor officers; county or town officers; 19 county judges, attorneys, clerks of court, and justices of the peace.20 In Oregon, all officers may be tried for incompetence, corruption, malfeasance, or delinquency in office, as for criminal offences; and judgment may be rendered for dismissal from office.21 § 268. Other Removals from Office. The Constitutions of other States provide that the Legislature may provide for the removal of inferior officers from office, for malfeasance or nonfeasance of their duties; 22 for official misconduct, incompetence, neglect of duty, or gross immorality,23 or for any cause.2 24 19 Ark. 7, 27; La.; Tex. 5, 24. 21 Ore. 7, 19. 22 Col. 13, 3; Minn. 13, 2; Mo. 14, 7; Mon. 5, 18; N. D. 197; Nev. 7, 4; S. C. 3, 27; S. D. 16, 4; Utah; Wash. 24 Okla. 8, 2; Tex. 15, 7. |