The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-17
THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.
LAST FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
EXCITING SCENES IN WASHINGTON.

EXCITING SCENES IN WASHINGTON
OPENING OF The COURT OF IMPEACHMENT.
APPEARANCE OF TEE SENATE cHAMBER-T
PRESIDENT REQUESTS TO BE ALLOWED FORTY
DAYS 10 PREPARE FOB TRAL-NTEREsTNe
AReuMES7s-TM SENATE RETIREs TO CONSULT
ON TIE ApPIcAuoN-THER DEc1s1oN-oNL1
TEN DAYS ALLOWED THE PRESIDENT TO ANSWER
HIGHLY INTERESTING DETAILS, &C.
The Washington correspondent Of the Balti'
mere Sun, writes to that paper, uEler date o.
Friday night:
This being the day for the President to re-
spopd to the impeachment summons, there
was much excitement about the capitol build
ing this morning, especially about the Senate
wing, where the passages we're all crowded
with persons seeking admission.
The Senate chamber was so metamorphosed
BY the aTTangements which mad oeen mace 1or
the trial that it could scarcely be recognized.
On the right and lett OF the chair were placed
long tables for the accommodation Of the i'm
peachment managers and the Presidents coun-
sel. All the vacant space on the floor was 90
cupied with cane-seat chairs for the acoommo-
daton of members OF the House, While the
sofas were advantageously disposed for such
cials as might be presenc. a Gordon OF police
was stretched ali around the capitol, file Of
soldiers tramped back and forth, every oorri-
| dor and vestbule Of the magnificent building
swarmed with uniformed cficers OF the law,
and at every entrance leading to the Senate
wing, and each single door OF the toor and gal
lery, stood the doorkeopers, with the bright
passage Of those who did not possess the
talsmanic piece of Pasteboard. Before reach.
| ing the presence chamber admission tickets
had to be shown no less than three times.
| In the avenues leading to the capitol, 10
the rotunda, and on the House side might
pe seen large crowds sauntering carelessy
along, and seemingly not at all envious OIL
their more privileged fellow-citizens, who
possessed the open sesame to the other wing
| There was no ~ at all on the Senate side, as
it was well known that under the regulations
adopted, those who had tickets would expert
ence no difficulty in obtaining seats. AT twelve
o'clock everything wag very qulet In the
chamber; few Struggling senators were il
their seats, and the galleries were not hall
filed. The rest Of the ticket holders came IN
leisurely during the morning hour. and at one
o'clock the galleries were filed, and presented
o most magnificent sight. Although the
weather was gloomy, many of the fair sex mad
done honor TO the occasion by appearing IN
their new spring attire. The diplomats gal
lery was occupied principally by the attaches
of tbs different legations. Conversation was
carried on in so loud tone dur?ng the consld-
Grafton OF the legislative business that Mr.
Wade threatened more than once to order the
clearing of the galleries, which did not, how.
ever, seem to intimidate the 3air culprits in the
least.
a noticeable fact was the entire absence o1
tie colored citizens the whole upturned line
OF faces being unreieved by single dark coun'
tenance. At 124 o'clock, several verbal mes
sages from the President was received by the
hands Of Colonel Moore, one Of the private
secretaries, and it was Immediately whispered
around the galleries, '!The President has sep,
in his resignation" and other equally improb'
able surmises. The usual legislation was pro
ceeded with up to the hour OF o'clock, but
the minds OF the senator's seemed far away
and number of bills were passed, without
soul having the least idea what they contained
Pnnctually at o'clock Alr. Wade raped hl:
gavel and vacated his chair; punctuaIy at
o'clock Mr.. Chief Justice Chase, in his robes
entered from the rear and seated himself, eno
with single rap transformed the body before
him rom the Senate TO the High Court OF lm
parchment.
The proclamation commanding silence wa;
made, the journal OF the proceedings OF the
court on Friday last was read, the senator's
| who had rot been sworn qualified as member;
OF the court, the impeachment managers came
in and took the seats assigned them, and lht
various iormahGes we're gone through IN or
der. The calling OF the President OF tht
United States by name by the ssrgeant-at
arms, IN the summons 10 appear and answer
the charges, was very Impressive. Ihe coun
sci for tie President then entered from tn
door on the right OF the chair and procee dec
TO seat themselves at tie table on the same
side. But three OF them wore able to be pres
ent, Nessrs. Stanbery Curtis and Nelson
They attracted some attention as they came
IN and vook their places, Mr.. Stanbery, as tn
senior counsel. taking the chair at the rig
end OF tte liable. Nr. S,anbery then read, II
a low and measured tone, the reply Of tn
President and The request Tor forty days tlm'
IN which to answer.
This request Tas received with evident dis
Satisfaction, several senators even going 30 IA
as 20 snake their heads, whie q few of til,
Radicals OF The House uttered audible eX
ciamauons Of dissent. As was 20 be expected
Mr.. bingham and mis- colleagues made bite
opposition 70 the very reasonable request D
the President, and Mr. Bingham had tn
| eFronter' 70 accuse Mr. Stanbery with exhibit
ing temper, when the manner Of that gentle
man could lot possibly be open TO any sucl
criticism. After brief discussion of this mat
Ter The Senate retired for consultation. In b
interval the galleries sa. "ery patiently. an
the .:me Nas bsgu;.ed il conversation. Tn
| impeachnent managers and large number G
the man ocrs OF the House remained ca th
loor, and were busily engaged in dlscussln