Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-03-03
IMPEACHMENT RULES.

select committee, reported to the United
States Senate, 3. rules of procedure and prac-
tice in the Senate when sitting as high
court of impeachment" The rules are based
upon the usual rules adopted in impeachment
trials, but with some important amendments
and alterations, as follows:
1t is provided that upon articles being
presented to the Senate, the Senate shall at
o'clock p. NJ. of the day following such
presentation resolve itself into high court
of impeachment. A quorum of the Senate
shall constitute quorum of the court, and
it shall continue in session Sunday excep-
ted, after the trial shall commence (unless
otherwise ordered BY the courD until final
| judgment be rendered. ~
The Chief Justice of the United States
shall preside; notice shall be given him by
the presiding officer of the Senate Of the
time and place fixed for the organization of
the high court of impeachment, and he shall
preside over said court until its fnal ad-
| journmont.
| The presiding officer may rule all ques-
| tions of evidence and incidental questions
which ruling shall stand as the Judgment of
the court unless some member of the court
| shall ask that formal vote be taken thereon,
| in which case it shall be submitted to the
| court for decision; or he may at his option,
in the first instance submit any such ques-
] tons to a vote of the members Of the court.
At12.30 2. NJ. of the day appointed for
the trial. the Legislative and executive BUSH
ness of the Senate sha! be suspended, and
the Secretary shall give notice to the House
of Representatives that the Senate is ready
to proceed upon the impeachment.
The hour of the day at which the Senate
shall sit as high court ofimpeachment shall
| be (unless otherwise ordered) twelve o'clock
NJ. The adjournment of the Senate sitting
as court of impeachment, shall not operate
as an adjournment of the Senate; but on
| such adjournment of the court the Senate
shall resume the consideration OF its legis-
! lative and executive business.
Witnesses shall be examined by one per-
son on behalf Of the party producing them,
and then cross examined by one person on
| the other side.
If i Senator shall be called as "a witness
| he shall be sworn, and ssgive his testimony
standing in his place.
If Senator wishes question to be put to
| witness, or to offer motion or order, Except
motion that the court adjourn it shall be
reduced to writing, and put by tie presiding
! officer.
At all times while the Senate is sitting
upon the trial the doors Of the Senate shall
| be kept open, unless the court shall direct
t the doors to be closed when celebrating upon
| its decisions.
All preliminary or interlocutory questions
and all motions shall be argued by one person
only oil each side, and for not exceeding one
hour on each side, unless the court shall by
an order extend the time.
| The final argument on the merits may be
| ,no1a NV turo DerSunS IN each side. The arTll-
ment shall be opened and closed on the part
| Of the House Of Representatives.
The following is the form of oath to be adj
nlinstcred to the presiding officer and mem
| bers Of the Senate, sitting as high court OF
| impeachment: "
II solemnly swear Cor affirm, as the case
may be) that in all things pertaining to the
trial of impeachment Of, now pending,
1 will do impartial justice according to the
constitution and laws, SO help me Cod
| If the impeachment shall not be sustained
| by the vote Of two.thirds Of the members
present, a judgement Of acquittal shall be
| entered but if the person accused in such
articles Of impeachment shall be convinced
by the vote of two>thrds Of the members
present, the court shall proceed to pronounce
judgement, and certified copy of the judg~
ment shall be deposited in the Office of the
Secretary of State.
\ II the orders and decisions shall be made
and had by yeas and nays, and without de-
bate except when the doors shall be closed
for dclibcraton, and in that case no member
shall speak more than once on one question,
and for not more than ten minutes on inter-
locutory questions, and fifteen minutes on the
final question, unless by unanimous consent.
The New York HeraLfs Washington special
claims that Messrs. Trumbull, Fcssenden,
Anthony, Upton, Sprague, Van Wrinkle,
Wiley and Sherman, republican members,
will vote with the democrats on the impcach-
ment question, and that impeachment will be
defeated in the Senate, as there is no charge
on which to base conviction, and fears are
entertained that the measure will be unpop-
ular with the people. 80.
THE AMENDAToRY RECoNsTRUCTIoN
BILL-The following is full copy of the
amendatory reconstruction bill just passed by
both houses of Congress:
Section l. That hereafter any election
authorized by the act passed March %, 1867,
entitled IAN act supplementary to an act to
provide for the more efficient government of
the rebel Safes" passed March 2. 1867. and
to facilitate their restoration shall be decided
by majority of the votes actually cast and
at the election in which the question Of the
adoption or rejection of any constitution is
submitted any person duly registered in the
State may vote in the election district where
he offers to vote, when he has resided therein
for the ten days next preceding such election,
upon presentation Of his certificate of regis
tration, his affidavit, or other satisfactory
evidence, under such regulations as the dis
trict commanders may prescribe.
Sec 2 AndGe 1t. further enacted, That the
constitutional convention of any of the States
mentioned in the acts to which this is amend