Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-14
CONGRESSIONAL.

In thu ccuhtti 1eese'~-if - I,
o'clock, the ladies' gallery was packed
| BY as brilliant IN audience rs appears
upon full dress opera night
| The Senators seats are arranged NJ
before, but ip the opea space In mont oil
the Presidents chair are two long tables
each furnished wis seven chairs, One
Of the tables Is intended for the man
ayers and the other for the counsel
Back of the Senator's seats, filing the
entire lobby, are about two hundred
chairs, intended for the accommodation
Of members Of the House, the Judiciary
and others entitled to be present on the
floor II is noticeable that not single
negro ia to be seen in the galleries
Everything is conducted with perfect
order and decorum. nI.f
The bill to amend the Judiciary act OF
| 1889 came over from the House signed,
and received the signature OF the Presi-
dent pro fem. '.'r
The Senate insisted on the amendment
to the consular appropriation bill, and
appointed committee Of conference
At one o'clock, the morning hour
having expired, the Chief Justice took
the chair, and the Sergeantat-Arms
made the proclamation in the usual form,
and the Secretary read the Journal OF
the last meeting of the Court.
As large number Of Representatives,
headed by the managers Of the impeach'
meut, we're standing in file outside the
door, a motion was made by Mr.. Howard,
that the Sergeantat-Arms notify the
House that the Senate is organized as
Court of Impeachment, and ready to
proceed with the trial Of Andrew john
son Immediately.
Soon after the managers and members
of the House took the seats provided for
them, and the Senators who had not done
so took the oath.
The return of the Sergeant-at- Arms
from his service of the summons on the
President was read, when, on motion OF
johnson, the counsel Of the President
were notified of the commencement OF
the proceedings, and Mesars. Stanbery,
Curtis and Nelson appeared and took
their seats at the table, on the right OF
the Chief Justice, and opposite to the
managers, who were seated on the left
Butler, the remaining manager, here
came in, and shortly after another depu-
tation from the House entered, headed
by the Speaker, Washburn, Of Illinois,
and Mcpherson, the Clerk of the House,
and ranged themselves behind the bar.
Staubery arose, and, addressing the
Chief Justice, read the answer of the
President, entering his appearance, and
naming as his counsel, Messrs Stanbery,
Curtis, Nelson, Black and Evarts, and
asking reasonable time for the prepare
ton of his defense-the period of forty
days, and citing various cases in which
periods as long, in proportion to the
magnitude of the case, had been granted.
Bingham, in behalf of the managers,
contended that the eighth rule provided
that on the appearance of the President
he was required to file his answer, and in
case his answer was not filed, then the
trial should proceed as on plea of " not
guilty" He claimed, therefore, that the
trial should proceed forthwith.
Curtis, in reply, referred to the cases
of Judge Humphreys and others, and
argued that the rule was susceptible of
no such construction as was put en- it by
Bingham.
Nelson followed, and enlarged upon
the same views as his colleague.
Stanbery expressed greater surprise
than he had before felt at this claim put
forward by the managers, and said there
seemed to be disposition to hurry
through this momentous trial, as if it
we're case before police court. He
argued from the working of the other
rules that the appearance day was not to
be the day for answering, and also the
trial day. Also, that two of the Presi-
dents counsel we're not present, and that
no opportunity had been offered for the
preparation of defense or the calling
of witnesses. He said that in the worst
days of the Star Chamber such an at
tempt to hurry through trial had never
been made. He spoke very warmly,
saying there seemed. to have been a
trap set for the President and his coun-
sell"
Butler asked to be heard in behalf of
the managers, and asked why railroad
speed should not be used in this trial.
He commended that the rules and prece-
dents of ordinary courts we're not appli-
cable to this trial. In ordinary trials no
danger would result from delay, but in
this case the necessity for prompt action
was pressing The respondent at the
bar controlled. the power Of the nation,
and might, in any moment Of passion,
prejudice or make wrong use Of it, for
the injury and ruin Of the country.
The business Of tbs War Department
would stop until the result of this trial
was reached. The pulse Of the nation
beats in perturbation while the trial goes
on. BE aimed that an early day should
4 Il IL Il. q. ........-.......