Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-03-17
Imneachment trial.

Friday last was the day upon which the Pres
ident had previously been summoned to appear
for trial. At P. NJ the Chief Justice ap-
reared in the Senate chamber and took the
chair. The Sergeant alarms made proclma-
ton announcing that the Senate was sitting in
the trial of the articles of impeachment against
the President. The managers of impeachment
accompanied by a number of the members OF
the House entered and took the seats provided
for them Several Senators who had not taken
the oath as members of the Court were then
sworn in, among them was Mr.. Vickers of Mary
land. The return of the Sergeant-at-ArmSw was
read, announcing that he had served the writ
of summons on Andrew Johnson, President Of
the United States, at the Executive Mansion,
on Saturday, March 18th, instant, at the hour
of o'clock in the afternoon. Proclamation
was then made by the Sergeant-at-Arms, call
ing on the President to appear and answer to
the articles of impeachment Messrs. Stanbery,
Nelson and Curtis appeared as counsel for the
President, and took the seats assigned them
At 90 2. NJ. the Sergeant alarms officially
announced the members Of the House OF Re-
representatives., and the remainder Of that body
entered and took seats. The Chief Justice then
demanded that the counsel Of the President put
in their reply to the articles of impeachment
Mr.. Stanbery read the reply Of the President
asking that he be allowed reasonable time for
and stating that at least forty days would be
necessary for that purpose. Mr.. Stanbery
delivered an address in support Of the request.
Mr.. Bingham, the Chairman Of the impeach-
ment managers replied and spoke against grant
ing this request, and citedthe eighth rule adopt
ed for the conduct of the trial as forbidding such
action. The rule requires that the party i'm
peached shall appear and put in plea. on the
day appointed for the return ofthe writ of sum-
mons, or in case of failure in either particular,
the trial shall proceed as if plea of mot guilt
" had been made. A discussion ensued on
this point between Messrs. Curtis and Stanbery
on the part Of the President, and Messrs Viii
son and Bingham for the prosecution. At 2
P. NJ. the Senate retired for consultation and re-
manned until 4 P. NJ, when the discussion was
resumed and number of motions were offered
fixing the day on which the respondent should
make answer. Speeches were made by Mr.
Nelson, of the Presidents counsel, and Mr..
Butler, Of the impeachment managers. Mr..
Conkling offered an amendment providing tina
the trial shall proceed Immediately after the
replication to the answer shall be filed. This
was agreed to after considerable discussion, by
vote of yeas 40 to nays TO- The Court then
adjourned until Monday, March 3d. The
Chief Justice descended from the chair and Mr..
Wade resumed the seat and called the Senate
to order. The Senate soon after adjourned I'M
til Monday.
The fact that the Court of Impeachment only
allowed the President till next Monday to pre-
pare his answer to the articles ofimpeachment,
is understood to indicate clearly that the verdict
of guilty" against the President is predetermin-
cd on the part of those whose sworn duty it is
to give him fair and just trial.