Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-03-05

Drake moved 10 add the words "or any
Senator, allowing them TO direct the re-
duetion To writing OF amy motion,
Rule 70 having been read Mr.. Drake
offered substitute providing that argu.
ments ON preliminary or interlooutory
questions shall be allowed one hour in
opening and fifteen minutes in closing
the arguments,
Mr. Drake said that these questions had
been left TO the court there was a prae.
tiee in courts which doubtless would be
followed in this case,
Mr., Drake withdrew the amendment,
Mr., Grimes moved 10 strike out the rule
as unnecessary, holding il had been mat
ter Of eongratulaiion that no such rule
had ever been adopted by the Senate, Ii
any person should abuse their patience,
they could make rule 10 meet the case,
but he thought il would not be necessary
Mr., Edmunds said the objection would
apply 10 all rules, This was limitation
that would commend itself 10 the APP.
proyal OF all, and so that no one could
complain afterwards of their canging the
procedure, II would not effect one side
more than the other,
Mr. Grimes said in none of the four
courts Of impeachment hitherto held had
there been any such limitation. There
was no record that the privilege had been
abused. The whole question might turn
ON an introductory order ON the admission
Of apiece Of testimony. 1t might occur
THAT IN such case an appeal would be
made TO them for an extension of time of
argument, Why should they piece them.
selves IN the attitude fClbidding il in this
the most important trial that ever took
place in the country
Mr. Edmunds said the Senator was in
consistent in arguing; first, that the rule
was unnecessary because the power now
. existed and second, that it should not
be exercised. The world had progressed
since they were born, and long discus
sions were entirely unnecessary. The
court did not tie itself up by this rule
and doubtless, when necessary, an extern
sion OF time would be unanimously grant
cd.
Mr., Buckalew said while ii was neees-
sary perhaps 10 have such a thing as the
persons question in such unanimuu,
body as the House Of Representatives, il
Dad been held that it was unnecessary
here. II was 50 because q party making
unnecessary detention knew that h.
would prejudice his ease No doubt it
would be so in this case.
Mr. Morton said it was not intended to
limit Senators, but counsel, anu tthvrUtuTv
the policy Of the Senate was not in ques-
ton. He referred to the intuinublc d.
lays heretofore frequently occurring in
such trials, and said they should take
steps TO prevent them in this case, and
thus prevent tine neglect of other impnr-
sant business.
Mr. salisbury also deprecated any linn
itation of debate in the greatest trial even
held in this country. Every poin, SHOULD
be fully argued 10y both sides, and then
the American people would endorse them
otherwise their judgement would NOT
carry with II such commanding weight.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen thought that while
there should be some limit the time fixed
was too short, aud il should not be com
fined to one counsel. He moved to amend
by making il two hours Tor each side, Tho
extension OF time Ia be applied for before
hand.
Mr. Williams said there was no uetc-si-
ty for confirming il TO one Cuuuael, hut
thought no necessity existed for extend.
ing the time The arguments ia question
would be chiefly on the admissibility OF
evidence, and ain hour was quite sufficient
on the final argument All questions at
Jurisdiction could be discussed.
Il 4 4 ~. a.
of course might be very mutcrialf for in
stance, motion to quash the impeach-
ment which would open nest OF legal
and even political and partisan questions
upon which counsel might eNpend them
selves for months as might the point hc
raised by the Senator from Kentucky.
Davis, yesterday The Senate could no,
sit week after week to hear such argH-
ment, which they must decide upon thg
final bearing. He was too old a LAWYER
not 10 know that danger was h be- apI,re-
hended from these delays, merely for tho
purpose of staving of, hoping something
would turn up in favor OF accused Iiie
only desire was that there should he d
fair and a reasonable speedy trial, SO that
they might proceed with other important
business.
Mr. johnson would prefer that ther,
should be no limitation Of time. that they
should follow the established precedent.
The rule however would operate upon the
managers, on the part Of the House, a.
well as the counsel for the accused. Iii
courts the opening counsel was never
obliged to close. Many preliminary ques-
tions Of great Importance would probably
be raised ON the trial, and it would not d.
for the court to limit the defence as g.
the manner Of conducting the ease.
The proposition to allow two hours 10
each counsel on every point MAS voted
down after some diseus-ion-2i Ia 20.
HOUSE.
The House resumed at 10 o'clock, IN
committee Of the whole, Mr. Washtum
of Ill, in the chair, the discussion Oh the
articles of impeachment. the interval he
tween the hour of meeting now being re
garded as part Of the legislative session ut
Saturday. There was not a dozen mem
bers in the hall and not fifty spectators III
the gallery at the time Of meeting. Mr.
Washburn Of Ill, having left the chair,
said he would not attempt to discuss thu
particular articles Of impeachment heinr,
the committee. but would submit fur
publication in the Globe d full cxamina-
ton of the whole question Of impcach
ment for reference hereafter Alessrs
Gets and Humphrey asked and obtained
leave to have speeches printed III the
Globe