The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-03-17
Impeacfment--The Chief Justice
and Senator'S Take the Oath--
Wade Objected to.
WAsHINGToN. March 5.

/ ana senators Take the OATH
Wade Objected to.
WASHINGTON, March g..
The President pro tenn said: The NOR.
ming hour having expired, all Legislation
land executive business of the session il
ordered to cease for the purpose of pro
ceeding to business. He entered with
the impeachment of the President Of the
United States. The chair is vacated fol
that purpose.
The Chief Justice then advanced uI
1.-THE aisle, clad in his official robe, escort
led by Mr.. Pomeroy, whom the Chairman
lappointed for that purpose, with Judge
/ Nelson Of the Supreme Court on his
fright, and Messrs. Buckalew and Wilson
|and other members Of the Committee
with members of the House, who stood
behind the bar of the Senate. The
Chief Justice having ascended to the
Presidents chair, said, in measured
and impressive voice:
| SENATOR'S: In obedience to a notice,
have appeared to join with you in form
ing court of impeachment for the trial
of the President of the United States,
and am now ready to take the oath.
| The following oath was then admins
tered to the Chief Justice by Judge Mel
son; .sssais sN, e
81 do solemnly swear that in al,things
pertaining to the trial of the impeach-
ment of Andrew johnson, President Of
the United States, I will do impartial
justice, according to the Constitution and
laws; so help me God"
The Chief Justice then said: Senators,
the oath will now be administered to Sen
atora as they will be called by the Secre-
tary in succession.
The Secretary then called the roll, each
Senator advancing in turn and taking the
oath prescribed in the rules. The only
Senator's absent were Messrs. Doolittle,
Edmunds, Patterson, Of New Hampshire,
and Salisbury.
When the name Of Senator Wade was
called Mr.. Hendricks rose and put this
question to the presiding officer, whether
the Senator from Ohio, being the person
who would succeed to the Presidential
Office, was entitled to sit as judge in
the case.
Mr.. Sherman argued that the Constitu-
ton itself settled that question. It pro-
vided that the presiding officer should
not preside on the trial of an impeach-
ment Of the President, but being silent
as to his right to be a member of the
court, it follows by implication he had
the right.
Mr.. Howard.argued to the same effect
| Mr.. johnson assimilated this claim to
an ordinary judicial proceeding, and re-
minded the Senate that no judge would
be allowed to sit in a case where he had
direct interest. He submitted whether
| 1t was not proper to postpone its decision
until tomorrow, in order, particularly
that precedents of the English House of
Lords might be examined. He moved
therefore that the question be postponed
till tomorrow.
Mr.. Hendricks claimed that when Mr..
Wade should cease to be the presiding
officer of the Senate he could be sworn
in, but now he was incompetent.
After some further debate the Court of
impeachment, at half past four, adjourn
ed till to-morrow, and the Senate imme-
diately afterward adjourned.
The Court Organized--The Presia
dent Summoned to Appear ON
the 18th inst.
t q WASHINGTON, March 6, 1868.
The Chief Justice was again escorted
to the chair by Mr.. Pomeroy, Chairman
of the Committee appointed for that pur-
pose. The Secretary of the Senate read
the minutes of the court of yesterday -
The Chief Justice then stated the ques-
tion to be on the objection having been
made to the swearing in of the Senator
from Ohio, Mr.. Wade, and on the motion
to postpone the swearing in Of that mem
ber until the remaining members had
been sworn.
Mr.. Hendricks, yielding to the sugges-
tion of some Senators on his side, that
the objection to the swearing in OF Mr..
Wade had been made prematurely, with
drew the objection.
| Senator Wade then advanced to the
chair and took the oath, as administered
| by the Chief Justice. The remaining
Senators having been also sworn, the
Chief Justice proclaimed that the Senate
was now duly organized to proceed with
the trial Of Andrew johnson, President
of the United States. 49,
PROCLAMATION OF sERGEANT-AT ARMS.
The Sergeant-at-Arms then made the
proclamation: Hear yel hear vel hear yel
All persons are commanded to keep ST.
lence on pain Of Imprisonment. while the
Senate of the United States is sitting for
the trial ofarticles of ofimpeachment against
Andrew johnson, President Of the Uni
ted States.
THE SUMMONS TO THE PRESIDENT.
The managers, on the part Of the
House, with the exception of Mr. Ste
vens, then appeared and demanded that
the Senate issue an order for the appre-
hension of Andrew johnson, President
of the United States, to answer to tie
charges, whereupon on motion Of Mr..
Howard, it was ordered that the Presi
dent be summoned to appear on Friday,
March 13, at one o'clock of the after.
moon. esea4s5I4 81 ans siH
The Court then at three o'clock, ad.
|journed till next Friday.
NOTIFICATION TO THE MANAGERS.
Mr.. Howard-I submit the following:
Ordered, That the Secretary Of the
Senate inform the managers of the House
of Representatives that the Senate is now