Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-06-04


The caucus was in session nearly
an hour, twenty-six members beinl
present Among the absentees wer,
Conkling, Edmunds, Morrill,, Of Vt.
Morton and Wiley, and of course tn,
seven Republicans who voted against
conviction. 1t was conceded by the
majority ofthe speakers that neither
of the remaining articles could be car
ried, that Wiley was doubtful anC
Ross for acquittal. Two or three
however, yet allowed themselves 3,
indulge the hope that Ross might vot,
for the second article, and that i
might be sustained if Wade voted
The sentiment of over twenty mem
bers were decidedly for postponement
while Ferry and one or two more
! thought the matter had better be dis
posed of at once 1t was argued il
favor of further delay that something
seemed due to the House, which wal
now making an investigation; thai
the inquiry there promised to develop
matters of grave Importance; that il
would be good time to keep impeach
ment hanging over the President
that the rebels in the South would be
emboldened to outrage and bitterness
if verdict of acquittal was entered.
The conclusion of the caucus was
that an adjournment should be had
TO Tuesday, 23d Of June, and in case
this should not be carried vote should
be taken on the second and third ar.
ticles, after which, if they were lost,
the court should adjourn sine die.
The Sc nators mostly came into
their chamber about ten minutes be-
fore noon. The appearance Of those
who had been in consultation did not
betoken a hopeful prospect for i'm
peachment. They gave out word
that four weeks postponement had
been agreed upon. The galleries hear
ing of this supposed the question set
tied, but correspondents and others
who had been canvassing The situa-
ton saw that the vote on adjournng
would be very close, while the propo-
sition stood bare chance of being
defeated. The crowd outside was not
so great as usual. Some scores of
persons waited in the rotunda and
halls beyond the southern doorkeepor,
hoping that something might turn up
to give them admittance to the gale
ries. They worried members Of the
House who passed through for tick
cts; they sent cards innumerable to
Senators begging for admission; they
eagerly enquired of every man who
possibly might know what were the
conclusions of the caucus and the
prospects for conviction.
The court opened promptly at noon,
with Mr.. Stanbcry, of counsel, and
Messrs. Boutwell,, Wilson, Bingham
and Butler of the managers present
There were almost no privileged per-
sons on the floor, except half dozen
ex-members of Congress Mr.. Williams
spokesman OF the caucus, hurried in
with his preliminary motion for ad-
journment, but the Court kept itself
in hand and went through the us
ual form, sending for the House and
reading the journal of last days ses-
sion. The galleries were about three
fourths full, though twenty minutes
later every seat was taken. The day
being clear and warm there was
great predominance Of brigh. colors
throughout the ladies' gallery, and
the other side even presented a much
less sombre appearance than usual.
As for the audience it was largely
composed of persons who hsve been
present nearly every day since the
trial began. The ticket system gen
orally secured a well dressed auditory,
but it easily fell into ruts, for it was
far less trouble for Senators to give
and continue to give their tickets to
personal friends than to pass :hem
over to the great public which regards
members Of Congress as superior be-
ings. The diplomatic gallery was full
at an early hour, and it was noticea-
Bile that, whereas on the former day
of voting it was occupied mostly by
the higher members OF the diplomatic
body, it was today principally held
by ladies and secretaries. The scene
on the floor Of the chamber during
the reading ofthe journal was, except
for the presence of the House, hardly
less prosy than usual. Mr.. Stanbery,
pale and thin, wearing an overcoat,
sat bolt upright at the head Of his Ia
BILE. Mr. Butler, on the other side,
was tumbling a bundle of papers, and
because of near-sightedness, frequent
ly dropping his face down among
them. MIR. Fessenden leaned forward
and chatted a few moments With Ed.
munds. Trumbrll sat lazily in his
chair, picking at that everlasting
scrap of paper. Wilson was clearing
out the drawer Of his desk as usual,
and looking at numerous papers.
Sumner was correcting the proof slips
of his impeachment opinion. Doolit-
tie and Dixon sat close together and
whispered into each others ears.
Howard was in his seat, apparently
as well as ever. Grimes, worn and
haggard, came in with the aid Of
cane and friend, and sat in an easy
chair down at the right OF the Chief
Justice. Reverdy johnson evidently |
thought the caucus might have evil |
designs on the President, and there
fore Williams, its spokesman, needed |
Salisbury showed himself
to the galleries by walking up and
down in his old fashion way behind |
the outer row of Senatorial chairs
Ross, the most sought for man in the
Chnmber. sat most of tho time nerfect.