New-York tribune., 1868-03-07
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

Mr.. WADE Is SWORN-THE COURT is
oRGANIZED-ACTION OF THE HOUSE MAN
AGRRs-THB NOTICE TO THE PRESIDENT
his ExCELLENCY TO APPEAR IN PERSON.
,x.,.eRapa =, 70 IuE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Friday March o, 1868
The crush at the Capitol to-day was even greater
than yesterday but better order was preserved. The
poice were more vigant. and the approaches to the
galleries were kept clear of the throngs that yeSer-
dav choked every corridor ana paSsage-way. People
began to assemble at 9 o'clock, ana those VINO
thongbt Themselves early ut IL were turned back
because they could find no accommodation. Mr.
Wade took the chair at 70 o'clock. and raped the
s-nate 10 order and morning devOtiOns An hour
was then consumed IN uninterestlng rou-
tine busiuess One o'clock found MT.
Wilson in the middle Of speech
in behalf of a bill from the Military Committee
The Chef-Justce in his judicial robes, entered 10y
one Of the side doors. lie was recognized 10y MIR.
Wade, who promptly raped Mr.. Wilson down, and
announced that the hour had for the Senate to
resolve itself into Court ofFImpeachment. He then
vacated the chair and the ChiefJustice Immediately
filed it. slight rustic of attention, apause and
then the ChiefJustice said The Senate viii please
come TO order" mot the Court of Impeachment,
but the Senate Whispered some one in the reporters
gallery. But it was not Court OF Impeachment yet,
Tor the Senators had not all been sworn. Mr.. John
and read the journal Of yesterdays proceedings,
corded under the legal caption "In the
matter Of the United States against Andrew
Johnson 1t was q short summary of what
was done yesterday toward the organization of the
Court and showed the pending question at the hour
of adjournment to be Mr.. Reverdy JOhnsOn's motion
20 postpone tho consideration of Mr.. Hendrckss OBJ
jection TO Mr.. Wades admission until all the other
Senators had been sworn. The Chief Justice, IN
veee naudibe to the galleries. stated this to be the
first question in order to-day, adding that the SEN
stor from Connecticut (Air Dixon) was entitled to
the floor Mr. Dixon Immediately rose, with books
and documents before him. Evidently he was pre-
pared for long speech against Mr.. Wade's right TO
sit as a member Of the Court. lie interrupted.
however by Mr. Howard of Michigan, who con-
frouted him on the threshold of bis argument with
point of order that under the Constitution of
the United States, every Senator is entitled TO he
sworn az amember Of the Court, and that one SEN
AtOr cannot challenge another. Such is the sub
stance of his point The galleries can scarcely hear
the Senator's worde. There is much confusion on
the floor. Mr.. Dixon who is little hard of hearing
at best aud perhaps did not want to hear, plunged
right ahead with what be had say and about TO
fall back on the Constitution and the Fathers TO sus
tain him, when Mr. Howard. in a deep soBorous
voice, not unmixed with anger repeated the words,
"Mr. President call the Senator from Connecticut
70 ORDER" Mr.. Dixon saw, rather than heard, that
something was wrong, and suspended his remarks
NE Howard stated his point Of order, and
the Chief Justice requested him to reduce it
10 writing While he was doing so, Mr. Dixon,
who had been standing in his place all the time,
evidently regarding his speech as only in condition
Of suspended animation, resumed, but was soon
triDped up, this time with the point that he could
not proceed with his remarks until the question
.oIl l,,A u nj bod dapided Mr. How
ards point having been written, was handed TO the
Chief Justice, who preferred TO submit it to the
Senate for decision Mr. Dixon took this as hint
that he could proceed with his speech, and acted
upon It ; but he had not got fairly under way when
be was again interrupted, 10 be reminded that q
point Of order is not debatable The Chef-Justice,
TO whom this appeal was made, consulted the
Clerk in frontsOf him. and learned in whisper that
the rules of the Senate do not allow debate on point
Of oyder but that the custom Of the Senate does al
low debate when that point Of order IS submitted 20
the Senate for decision, instead of being decided by
the Chair. So Mr.. Dixon. who was determined to
make a speech at all hazards took another start but
only to be interrupted very soon This time Mr.
Sherman took him TO task, on the ground that hisre
marks were not pertinent; that the question was
that which was raised by Mr. Howard and not the
right Of Mr. Wade 10 admission as a member of the
Court But Slr. Dixon was undismayed. He ap-
pealcd 10 the customary freedom and latitude OF de-
bate IN the Senate, and justified himself by
usage If not by law Hero were four points
Of order within five minutes, and five more ready TO
Be raised all appearances If Senator'S could get the
floor to make them; but DIR. Dixon was unylelding
end determined and wOuld dsiDsist upon speaking.
lie kept his temper and resumed, but only to have
hi recent fate repeated for Mr. Howard was quickly
OIL tho floor with another point Of order. which was
that under tine mles for the government
Of the Senate when sitting as Court OF
Impeachment al questions of order must be decided
without debate. or words to that effect Ihe Chlel-
Justice heard and quickly determined that the rules
referred TO are not in force until the Court is organ
iled in other words, THAI they were not appllcspie
70 NJ. Dixon's case "Then sir,' said Mr. Drake IN
tone not to be misunderstood OF interpreted as
pleasant. 4" appeal from the decision Of the Chair"
Tbe Chief Justice, preserving his gravity and self
possession amid what seemed very much like cOnfu-
Gian all around HIM quietly put the question
"hau the decision Of tho Chair stand as the order
Of the Senate - And on a caH of the yeas and
nays il was decided in the ailinnative:-feas
q. nays 90 The result when ann OuDced
tsmpted the galleries into slight demonstTa-
fon of applause: but this was promptly sup
pEssed and rebukcd by the Chief-Justice. II was
eass TO see that the twenty Senators who voted No
we're not pleased, though they had no means Of
making their dispeasure manifest, except to one
ARother in whisporings and grnmblings. Nhiie all
this was going on, Mr. Wade was talking to mum
be- Of friends in the ladies' gallery and apparently
Indifferent 90 results The last vote settled the queS
ton al Mr. Dixon's right TO proceed, and he Went
Tight ahead il the manner and form of a man with
sleeeh 10 h. delivered Of quoting the Constitution
ana the Fathers. and firmly believing that