The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-03-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, March 10.
SENATE.

9tOrS seaLS aEo aii1hSOo 40 pOioio. III
the open space in front of the Presi
dents chair are tive long tables, each
furnished with seven chairs. One of
the tables is intended for the Managers,
and the other fer the counsel. Back of
the Senator's seats, and filling the en-
tire lobby, are about two hundred
chairs, Intended for this accommodation
of the members of the House, Judi
ciary and others entitled to be present
on the floor. BY half past eleven half
Of the Senators had ranged themselves
in little knots discussing the momen-
tons business of the day. 1t is noticea-
BILE that not single negro is in the
galleries. Everything is conducted with
perfect order and decorum.
The Chaplain invoked y blessing
upon those now entering upon the high
and important duty.
Anumber of petitions were presented
including one by Mr.. Morton, of the
working men of Ohio, for the passage
| Of an eight hour law. Referred to the
committee on Commerce. .s,sl ..
The bill to amend the Judiciary act
of 1889 came over from the House signed
and received the signature of the Presi,
dent pro. tenn.
The Senate insisted on its amend
ments to the Consular appropriation
bill aud appointed q committee of Con
| ference.
At one O'clock the morning hour
having expired, the Chief Justice took
the Chair.
The Sergeant-at-Arms made procla.
matien in the usual form.
The Secretary read the Journal of. the
last meeting of the Court, -u-
A largo number of Representatives,
headed by the Managers of Impeach-
mont, in the meanwhile standing in file
outside the open door. ~ IS.
On motion of Mr.. Howard, the order
was made that the Sergeant-at-Arms
notify the House that the Senate is or
ganized as a Court of impeachment,
and ready to proceed to the trial of An
drew johnson.
Immediately thereafter the Managers
and members of the House took the
seats provided for them, Mr.. Butler be-
ing absent.
The Senators who have not already
done so, took the oath.
The return of the Sergeant
of his service of a summons on the
President was read, when, OH motion
IF Mr.. johnson. the counsel Of the Pres
ident were notified of the commence
ment of proceedings, and Messrs. Stan
berry, Curtiss and Nelson took their
seats at the table on the right of the
Chief Justice and opposite to the Man
ayers, who were seated on the left.
Mr.. Butler, the remaining Manager,
came in, and shortly after another dep
utatiOn of the House entered, headed
by Mr.. Washburne (Illinois) and Mr..
Mcpherson, Clerk Of the House, and
ranged themselves behind the bar
Mr.. Stanbery rose, aud addressing the
Chief Justice, read the answer of the
President entering his appearance and
naming as his counsel Mcssrs. Stan
berry, Curtiss, Nelson, Black and Eyarts,
and asked as reasonable time for the
preparation of his defence, the period OF
40 days, citing various cases in which
periods as long in proportion to the
magnitude of the case had been granted
Mr.. Bingham, on bchatof the Mana
ayers, contended that the Sth Rule pro-
vided that on the appearance of the
President he was required to file his
answer, and in case of failure the Sen
ate should proceed as on plea of not
guilty; he claimed therefore that the
trial should ut once proceed.
Mr.. Curtiss, in reply, referred to the
cases of Judge Humphreys and others,
and argued that the rule was suscepti-
BILE of no such construction as that put
on it by MIR. Bingham.
Nj. Nelson followed, enlarging on the
same views as his colleague.
Mr.. StaHbery expressed greater sur
prise than he had before felt at this
] claim put forward by the Managers
saving it seemed to, be the disposition tt
1 hurry through this momentous trial as
/ if it were case before a police court
He argued from the wording of the Other
rules that the appearance day was not
intended to he day for answering and
trial day. He said two Of the Presi
dents counsel were not present, and
that no opportunity had been offered fol
the preparation of defence or the call.
ing of witnesses, and that in the worst
DAYS of the Star Chamber such an at
tempt to hurry through trial had
never been made. He spoke warmly,
saving there seemed to have been o trap
set for the President and his counsel.
Mr.. Butler asked to be heard on be-
half of the Managers, and asked why
railroad speed should not be used Oh
this trial. He contendsd that the rules
and presidents Of ordinary Courts were
not applicable to this trial. In ordina
~ trials no danger resulted from de,
lay. In this case necessity for prompt
action was pressing. The respondent
at the bar controlled the power of the
nation and might in any moment OF
passion or prejudice misuse it, to the
injury and ruin of the country. The
business of the War Department
would stop until the result
of this trial was reached.
The pulse Of the nation beats in pertur-
baton while the trial goes on. lie
claimed that an early day should be
fixed for the defendants appearance,
and if then he can show that he has not
had time to prepare grant him the in
diligence of further time. We, on the
part of the Heuse of Representatives,
which we are here representing, ask
that the rule adopted by the Senate for
the government of this case may be en-
forced. 1t is for the Senate to say
whether The rule shall be sustained as
rule to govern tho case, or whether it
shall be changed. But standing as a
rule at this time we ask its enforcement.
At the conclusion of his remarks the
Chief Justice said the motion would be
argued for an hour in accordance with
the rules, when Mr.. Bingham rose and
said "he had been greatly surprised at
hearing the hasty words which had been
dropped from the lips of his learned
friend, Mr.. StaDbery, and asserted the
only rule which the Senate had made
was to prevent n dilatory line of de-
fence"
The Chief Justice was about to put
the question on Mr.. Stanbery's motion,
when Mr.. Edmunds offered an order
that the LIST of April be the day appoint
ed for the filing of tho Presidents an.
swer, that within throo days thereafter
the Managers file the application, and
that the sixth of April the trial proceed.
On motion OF MIR. Morton, at 2 o'clock
the Senate retired for consultation.
At 4:l0 the Senate returned to their
Chamber and the Court reassembled.
The Chief Justice announced that