Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-03
IMPEACHMENT IN CONGRESS.

Ihe Senate was engaged until nearly IL
O'Clock last night in discussing the rules re-
ported for the government of the impeachment
trial, the contest being over the 10Th and aist
rules, which govern and limit the time to be
occupied by the counsel for the President and
House Of Representatives in the discussion of
mterlocutory questions or points OF law arising
during the trial. The first of these rules is as
follows:
10. All preliminary or interlocutory aues-
tions, and all motions, shall be argued by one
person only on each side, and for not exceeding
one hour on each side, unless the court shall
by order, extend the time"
IL was proposed by some TO strike out this
rule entirely, and leave the control of the mat
ter to the court after il was formed. and by
others to extend the time to two hours on each
side. On the Republican side il was contend
ed that the rule was necessary in order TO pre-
vent the frightening out of the trial BY speeches
made for the purpose of delay. Senator Nor
ton argued that it was possible and indeed
probable, that one or two of these interlocu-
tory questions would arise upon each day of
the trial, aud that If four hours were to be con-
sumed in the argument of each point the trial
could thus Be indefinitely prolonged. The rule
was finally modified so as 10 allow two persons
to be heard on each side.
The twenty-hrst rule, which provides that
the "final argument on the merits may be made
by two persons on each side, and the argument
shall be opened and closed on the part of the
House Of Representatives" was amended so as
to apply also TO the opening arguments, one
person to be heard on each side, and discretion
Is given 10 the Court to extend the number of
counsel TO be heard on each side at its discretion
Inc democrats, ~ p. m, endeayored to
aoJourn, but the Republicans manifested a
determination 10 remain in session until ALI the
" xrh fab ~.
and after several other unimportant amend.
ments had been acted on, the rules were passed
finally
In the House of Representatives the articles
OF Impeachment were adopted after a protract
ed debate. The speech of Mr.. Stevens attracted
much attention, though his feebIeness pra-
vented IL from being generally heard AT three
O'Clock debate closed, and the next hour WAS
given to the reception Commandments, and five
minuts speeches thereon. The House exhibited
little desire TO change the Articles, and, with
the exception of the striking out of the Seventh
Article, they stand nearly as reported by the
COMMITTEE. The Seventh Article charged the
President with unlawfully conspiring with one
Lorenzo Thomas, to hinder and prevent the
execution of the tenure OF Office bill, and that
ne, in pursuance Of said conspiracy, did nm
lawfully attempt to prevent Edwin NJ Stanton.
then and there being Secretary for the Depart-
ment OF war under the laws of the United
States, from holding said office TO which he had
been duly appointed and commissioned, where
by said Andrew johnson, President of the
United States, did then and there commit. and
was guilty OF high misdemeanor in Office"
IL was merely a replication OF the charge con.
tanned Ia the preceding article.
At four O'Clock the Committee Of the Whole
rose. and the articles Were reported to the
House. The Speaker took the chair and read
the rule previously adopted, which cut off all
dilatory motions. The Democrats attempted 10
presents protest, signed by forty five of their
number, against the action OF the House, pub
Ished elsewhere in our paper. Under the
rules, the Speaker decided that the communi-
caiion could not be received except bv unani-
nous consent, and objection being made. IL was
lot read The House then proceeded to vote on
saeh article seridfiBs- and finally on the whole
the vote on their adoption being 115 to IL. The
election OF managers was announced As in or
der, and the House by ballot elected to conduct
the impeachment trial Thaddeus Stevens of
Pennsylvania John A. Bingham, of Ohio:
James =. Wilson, Of Iowa: George s. Bout
well and Benjamin +. Butler, of Massaehu-
sets; Thomas Williams. of PennsyIvania: and
John A. Logan, of illinois; the Democrats re-
fosing 10 vote.