Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-05
vAsP1RIrED DEBATE.
INTERESTING pRoCEEDIsGs.

-
D
In anticipation of the Senate forming itself
into Court Of Impeachment, at one O'Clock
to.daya very large number of persons were
present in the galleries, and crowds We're un-
able to gain admittance. At one o'clock, pre-
cisely. Chief Justice Chase entered the Senate
Chamber, having the arm of Senator Pomeroy
Of the Senate Committee, followed by Justice
Nelson, of the Supreme Court, and Senators
Wilson and Buckalew, also Of the Senate Com.
mittee. As the Chief Justice walked to the
front of the Senate Chamber, Vice President
Wade vacated the chair and Mr.. Chase, clad in
his robe Of black, ascended the steps and took
the seat. Perfect silence prevailed.
After moments pause, Chief Justice Chase
arose and stated that, in obedience to the sum-
mons served upon him by the Senate, he was
ready to proceed with the trial of Andrew
Johnson, President OF the United States, and
was prepared to take the oath required by the
Constitution. Associate Justice Nelson then
administered the onth TO the Chief Justice The
Senators were then called one BY one, alpha.
betically-commencing with Mr.. Anthony, of
Rhode Island-and Mr. Chase administered to
them the same oath he had himself taken, to do
impart tial justice to Andrew johnson, reading
copy.
A large number of Representatives stood in
the rear OF the Senate, outside the bar, during
the ceremony of taking the oath, and the Senate
sofas were occupied by spectators, among
which were Mr.. Mat Carpenter, of Wisconsin.
and other prominent members of the legal pro.
fession. Mrs. Wade, wife of the Vice Presi.
dent pro tenn, occupied front seat in the Dip
lomatic gallery
All the Senators took the oath but Messrs
Doolntle and Salisbury, who were absent, add
Mr.. Wade.
In the debate that sprung up in regard 10
swearing in Senator Wade, il was noticed
that some Of the Senators, r1sing to address
the presiding officer, (Chief Justice Chase.)
seemed little bothered to get the hang
of his exact title for the OCCASION and STYLED
him miscellaneously Mr.. President and
- Your Honor"
In the Reporters allery there was a great
pressure for font seats, and a lively scrouging
also in the other direction get out to the teIe-
graphic wires 10 put in first copy for the hun.
cry newspapers throughout the country Only
those were admitted to the Reporters Gallery
who were able 10 show ssred ticket" but
quite a number OF ''bunlners'' unknown 10 the
newspaper world seemed 10 have got posses.
sion OF them and wded in. to the great i'm.
convenience OF those having legitimate busi.
ness there.
When the name OF Senator Wade was called,
and while he walking towards the CHIEF
Justice TO take the oath, Senator Hendricks. of
Indiana, arose and said:
May II please your honor before the oath of
mpeaC hment Is administered TO the honorable
gentleman, wish TO ask the Senate a question
The Senator just called, the presiding Office of
this body under the Constitution and laws will
hAGn .lAv,N
the process Of impeac hment, now being tried
be sustained The Constitution provided that
In sueh case the possible successor cannot
gg'rh preside IN the body during the trial.
officer OF the court the question whether being
senator, representing State, II Is competent
Tor him 10 take the oath and become thereby
part OF the courtl l submit the ground that as
the Constitution does not allow him TO preside
at the deliberations because OF his possible sue.
cession, ne cannot, in view of the same result,
be competent 70 sit a member
Senator Sherman replied, that by the consti.
tuition Of the court each State was entitled 10 n
representation of two Senators, and that copsa.
Der of the court.
Senator Howard could no distinction be.
tween the case OF Senator Patterson, who was
connected by tie. OF relationship with the Pres
ldent, and Mr., Wade who had merely an in.
terest in the resalt of the trial. There was i'm.
terest i'll the case of both: and if one was allowed
TO take the oath, the other should also be admit.
ted
Mr.. Reyerdy johnson said Mr. Wade can
not vote In n case where he is Interested and
cited a a precedent the case OF Stockton who
was not allowed 10 vote when his own seat
was under contest in the Senate, and while h.
was member of that body.
Garrett Davis took the same view of he ease
MI. Morrill, of Maine, who followed Mr. Da-
WIS, thought OBJECTIONS 10 Mr.. Wade could enly
come from the party to be tried, and that no
Senator had a right TO object
Senator Hendricks again took The fioor in
opposition, and hoped the question would be
Postponed until tomorrow.
E Senator Williams maintained that until all
the senators were sworn in there was no court
anu h"nce ~ was not question for the Chief
Justice 10 decide. No Juror had "A right TO OBJ
!ect 10 another Juror, and this was a Question TO
De drcldrd. When the court was fully organ.
lLed then he President TO be tried could Object
70 any Juror, ana mat question codld then be
discuss ed by the court.
Senator Fessenden thought the court should
be organized. The case of MIR. Wade could be
postponed until after IT was organized
MT. COnness (Cal.) was III favor of the ones.
ton being now decided
Mr.. Morton (Ind) maintained that, il Mr..
wade was excluded, the President himself
could come here and object to the court because
one Senator had been excluded When the ac.
eused objected, then would be the proper time
10 cons ider this question.
. As We 60 to press the debate is vet i'm pro-
gress. 1t is thought that Mr. Wade will be
sworn in.
, From the protracted nature Of the initiatory
proceedings it begins to be evident that the i'm.
peachment trial will be by no means SO brief
an affair as some have supposed.