The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-11

A Washington special of the 9th to the Cincin-
natl Gazette, says: The scene In the Senate
chamber at an early hour this morning was bril-
liant The ladies came in good season, and be-
fore the opening Of the regular legislative session
large numbers Of them had secured seats and
were busy with books, crocheting, or needlework.
The dull proceedings OF the morning hour had a
soothing effect upon the galleries and there were
many smelling bottles passing around, and many
approaches to quiet maps. As l o'clock drew
near there was general waking up and the scene
became lively. The ladies' gallery was gay with
bright toilets and in contrast was the plain black
OF the gentemen's side unrelieved, except by the
successive rows Of earnest, peering faces. The
diplomatic gallery mad slight foreign air. The
police kept the crowd back from the doors and
through each of them could be seen rings Of men
all leaning forwerd, trying to get glimpse of
the inside scene or to catch q sentence Of argu-
ment, or ruling. The desire 10 see was only
limited by the great anxiety Of the crowd which
thronged the corridors.
Precisely at o'clock, Mr.. Wade cut the debate
short with the declaration that the hour had ar
rived 10 proceed TO the consideration of matters
pertaining to the impeachment of the president,
and that the chair would then be located for the
purpose. The chief justice entered from the
lobby in the rear Of the desk, and took the chair
Of the presiding officer. After reading the jour-
nal, the proceedings at once became spicy and H.
teresting.
Mr. Howard made point OF order under the
Constitution that it was imperative upon the
chief justice TO administer the oath TO all sena-
tors, and held that the point Of order was not de-
batable.
Mr.. Chase held that the point must be sub.
mitted to the Senate.
Mr.. Dixon kept the floor, insisting upon bis
right TO debate, and for o time matters looked
more stirring than they generally become on the
floor Of the Senate. II was not very apparent to
strangers, bat those accustomed to watch the
Senate could plainly see that the restlessness ind
Gated most disturbed state of feeling. A mis-
H. i
evidently misjnsging the other 10 some extent.
At least Mr.. Dixon's course was scarcely courte-
Gus and some of the rulings Of Mr.. Chase an
noyed many Of the Republicans exceedingly for a
tin Q.
Nearly all present were convinced that the
debate, on the part of Mr.. Dixon and those work
ing with him, was only somewhat dgniied kind
OF flibusteriDg. Then there was no agreement as
10 whether the body, in the condition IL found
itself, was a Senate or a court, and consequently
the question as 10 what rules they were acting
under, remained unsettled Mr.. Chase decided on
the point raised by Mr.. Howard, that the rules
passed by the Senate TO govern the court were
not binding, as the court was not organized
Upon this Mr.. Drake appealed, and on the call Of
yeas and nays, the chief justice was sustained by
twenty -four TO twenty. Seven Republicans being
absent At this applause broke outjn one Of the
galleries. the action being interpreted sustain
ing the chief justice against the majority Of the
Republicans. The applause was checked, but no
order given TO clear the galleries. The vote
really had no significance whatever, except to
express the opinion Of senators as TO which set OF
rules the body was bound by, and each side was
equally anxious to settle IL.
The result, however, had an ugly look for o
time, as it was thought the doors had been
opened for a debate Of any length, but Mr.. Hend-
ricks soon put the whole matter In shape by with
drawing the objection he had made TO Mr.. Wade's
being sworn. Two reasons are given for this-one
that Senators in the Democratic side had become
pretty well convinced that the time had not come
f,r raising the question, and second, that il
would be undgnided and unseemy to allow de.
taie, which was taking on strong features of
hlibusterng, 10 proceed. His motion created
considerable sensation, as Il was not expected,
and the Republicans throughout the building
were still firmly discussing the various encourage
ments which they claimed were being given TO
dilatory proceedings, when the news came that
the objections 10 Wade had been withdrawn, the
| organization Of the court completed the rules
adopted, aud the writ ordered to issue against the
| president.
All this had occupied about twenty minutes,
and the relief IL gave to those who had feared de-
lay was very marked ndfreely admitted.
As soon as all the senators were sworn, Mt
| Chase rose and declared that the Senate was now
organized as court for the trial of Andrew John
| son. Next came the solemn proclamation Of the
sergeantat arms, differing little from that wher
| the House managers appeared, and yet worthy OF
| record, as being the first time it was ever pro
duced In the history of the land. 1t was as fol
| lows:
"Hsrk Hsrk yel All persons are command
ed 70 keep silent while the Senate is sitting as
| Court OF Impeachment for the trial Of Andrew
johnson, president Of the United States"