Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-03-26
Iron he National IntehigeHeer.l
NOTES AT THE CAPITOL.

the eleven articles Of impeachment During
the hour preceding the assemblage Of the Sc
nate the galleries were filed up by the fortu-
nate holders Of tickets Of admission. There
was the same preponderance of ladies as on
former occasion, fact speaking volumes for
the gallantry Of members and the pertinacity
of the sex. The brilhancy of the costumes lent
an unusual charm to the scene, and so keen
was the interest felt that very few brought
books and magazines 10 while away the time,
aud thus for five hours they sat attentive, deco
rous, and we hope, pleased with the show.
At 1890 the President, Mr. Wade, proposed
and shut down on any further legislative pro-
ceedings. 10 begin making ready for the I'M
peachment trial Mr. Trumbull and Mr. I'd
munds. not having the same personal stiuu-
lus in the matter, were disposed to make haste
m ore slowly, the latter senslbly remarkins that
the Chief Justice would not be present before
one o'clock. aud until then the trial could not
proceed. Mr.. Wade, however, after getting
the Senate into some confusion, was allowed to
have his own way, and notice was sent to the
House that the Senate was ready. In the
meantime the Senate had filed up, and nearly
every one seemed to be in his place. Three or
four members of the House came in early ana
picked out good seats Mr.. Stevens came IN
and took his usual place at the managers table
Finally, Mr.. Wade gracefully vaniSaes from
the chair, and the Chief Justice-Rot so call
cd by the Republican managers-takes the
place. The Sergean.-at-arms goes through his
customary formula Of ordering silence, and then
enter, duly and grandly announced, the mana
gers. in the same elaborate style Of procession
as before, Mr. Bingham putting us forolbly IN
mind Of a Young gentleman advancing on a
school platform to recite some thrilling passage
from DemostheneS The old gentleman was
nicely attired, and the costume of his associates
was equally meritorious
The House of Representatives are next an
nounced and come in with volume and erect
fling of right and left TO find seats. Mr.. Col
fax comes up the main aisle to prominent po-
sitiou. but his modesty is carefully cared for by
Messrs. Washburne and Schenck, who thrust
themselves forward into the most conspicuous
positions. The Presidents counsel are not for
mallv announced Usage does not make 1t
proper, and their great reputation renders such
a step wholly unnecessary.
Messrs. Stanbery and Curtis are in place as
usual. and so is Mr. Nelson, of Tennessee; but
to-day we see two new faces among Mr.. john
son'scounsel. hat slight figure, with the pale,
intellectual line of face, is Mr.. VIM. NJ. EyartS,
Of New York. one of the foremost legal minds
Of the country. Near him is a very striking
face indeed. that of Mr. GroeSbeck, of Ohio,
lust added to the Presidents list of counsel
Judge Black is absent-called elsewhere, we
presume, by professional duty
4. II 10 url1nb VIZ
confess, too little space is accorded In a
grand impeachment trial the object being to
expel a hated political opponent, the merits Of
A cause Of the argument are small matters COM
plred with the light and shade, the attitudes,
,stumes. and scenery generally. Unless the
spectacle is dramatic it is nothing at all. It's
Ike the Black Crook. where the argument OF
the drama does not certainly involyeany Sbaks-
pearian properties, but where the diamonds,
swords. drapery. thin muslin, ankles, thunder,
lightning. devils, horns and hoofs are every
thing. Ii was doubtless a consideration Of this
absorbing character of the spectacle that led
Nh Sumner piously TO suggest that Mr.. Wade
co1ld not take into contemplation the more
practical and Sordid aspects Of the affair to him
personally.
The serious business Of the day was opened
I'D bv an order offered by Mr.. Davis the effect
that all the States were not represented, and
that. therefore. the Senate could not sit TO try
this cause This led to a good deal of feeling
on the part Of Mr. Howard aud others, who
wanted to exclude its reception. This last was
overruled as diSorderly. and then the order re-
iected. only two voting afirmatively 1t was
hardly to be expected that the Senate would
thus pronounce its own disqualification aS a
court; but the point is one that the people
have already made in forming their opinion.
And now Judge Curtis rises, and, after sta
ting the very brief time that has been allowed
the Presidents counsel in which TO prepare
answer, proceeds to read the formal answer OF
the President to arraignment Of the House
managers. The document was necessarily long
but il was weighty, compact, emitting all dec
| lamation and unnecessary phraseology, and
marching Squarey up 10 the points made by
! the eleven articles. and it was clear throughout
as a sunbeam The Senate generally. gave ii
very close attention. especially those who rank
among the ablest Of the body.
The President makes his answer at length "a
the first article. reciting the date Of Stanton's
original commission, the law Of 1889 creating
the Office; that he never appointed Mr.. Stan
ton. and about the 9TH of August, 1867. being
unable to hold consultation with said Stanton
or to trust him with the public business sent
| him a letter requesting his resignation The
/ correspondence and subsequent steps in the
matter are detailed, and also the President
message, and the motives by which he has been
| guided. 1t appears from these that the Presi-
| dent maintains that under the Constitution he
has the power to remove: that this cannot
/ rightful'y be taken away by Congress. and
| that it was not taken away in respect 10 Cabi-
net officers by the first section of the tenure-of-
| office law Anxious not 20 have conflict
with the Senate. the President gave his reasons
20 the Senate for the suspension Of Stanton. but
I in making the suspension he had acted under
/ his constitutional power as President In app
| pointing General Thomas he had only aimed
TO obtain a judicial decision by the L. States
Supreme Court.
The answers to the eight articles following
were read by Mr. Stanbery, in order to relieve
| Judge Curtis. These answers deny all viola
| ton Of law-deny the charge Of threats. init
mlatiOn, or conspiracy. In answer TO the 9th
article. the President SAYS he did not attempt
% induce General Emory to dsobev any law
but that when the General called bis attention
to the order Of General Grant, he expressed the
opinion that it was contrary TO the Constitu-
ton. which makes the President commander
in-chief Of the army and navy, and contrary to
his General Emorysl commission.
Mr. Evarts now rises and reads in clear
and excellent voice the answer 10 the famous
Butler article The President denies the cor