The impeachment of Governor Harrison Reed not only contributes an interesting chapter to the history of Reconstruction but it also offers a number of novel precedents to the history of American impeachments. Throughout his gubernatorial term (1868-1872), Reed fought a consistent and courageous struggle against carpetbag politicians in Florida. I know of no other state or national civil officer against whom the impeachment remedy was so frequently attempted. On four occasions, he was threatened with legislative removal. Twice the lower house passed impeachment resolutions. Finally, in the last year of his term, his enemies voted a bona fide and legal impeachment against him; reported it to the senate in due form; suspended him from office; and, after all these apparent indices of triumph, they had to return him to power on account of an unusual and embarrassing political situation
