That the house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeaching civil officers for corrupt conduct in office, or for crimes and misdemeanors, but a majority of the members elected shall be necessary to direct an impeachment. Every officer impeached may by the governor be suspended in the exercise of his office until his acquittal, and the governor may make a provisional appointment to a vacancy occasioned by the suspension of an officer until he shall be acquitted, or until after the election and qualification of a successor.